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Free Online Poker Guide to How to Vary Hand Play by Table Size

In this free online poker article I'd like to demonstrate why it is critical to adapt the way you play your hands in relation to table size when playing free texas hold em or live card room games.

Player numbers and hand strategy does, I'm sorry to say have a math component. But don't worry, as long as you can do basics you'll be fine.

If you are a free poker player and you can get this subject down well then you'll give yourself a serious edge. Most of the "farm animals" you play with won't have a clue about this, so learn and clean up!

I have 4 different size tables that I place into categories.

1. Heads up

2. 3 and 4 people

3. 5-7 people

4. 8-10 people

Basically what we want to avoid os a coin flip situation, e.g., all in at the preflop. An essential part of being consistently successful Texas hold'em player is risk reduction in every part of your game. Here now is how I advise you apply risk reduction to hands play according to table size.

1 - Heads up

Basically any 2 cards are live in heads up games and I generally like to see a flop. If however I have 2 cards that i aren't keen on coupled with a raise I'll fold . I love it whenever they make a big raise because it's easy for me to fold.

If I have decent cards, unless it's a very big raise I'll call to see the flop after that it all depends on the feel of the player and what they do. If I suspect it's a tight player and I'm on the button I'll raise simply to see where I'm at. Usually if they don't have anything they fold but if they are drawing or have a pair they might call so I would be careful from now on.

2 - 3 and 4 players

With so few people at the table any cards with "letters" on them get played to see a flop. Most times when you are at a table like this the players are mostly tight players. So if you are on the button call most of the time and aim to steal pots by betting on into the pot.

3 - 5-7 players

Now this is really where it gets tricky. Only pocket pairs and very high cards should be played. Small pocket pairs should be limped into the pot hoping to hit a set.

With medium pocket pairs aim to limp into the pot. If you can call a small raise you can hope to hit a set.

Now with high pockets you should be raising same deal with any 2 cards that have letters on them (J-A).

4 - 8-10 players

Here you have to play real tight. I only try to play the top 10 hands which are pockets thru 10s and then the letter cards. Anything less than a 9 in my hand is almost non playable. I will limp into a pot with any pockets however.

Now knowing the "position" and the "math" is important because of the amount of people on the pot and the people left to act after you.

The reason why you play a shorter table different is the amount of cards left in the deck.

In Heads up money or free Texas Holdem poker games there are 48 cards left in deck so anything can come out on the flop.

In 3 and 4 player scenarios there are at most 44 cards left in deck thus a better % of your cards hitting.

With 5-7 players there are at the least 38 cards left in deck and therefore more chance that someone else has some of the cards you need or folded them.

At 8-10 now you are down to 22 cards left in deck and it is most likely that some or most the people folded cards you need or have the cards thus the reason for mostly playing pockets.

This all being said when the river is dealt if there is a four card straight or flush on board you don't need to be in the hand if someone bets.

If it's folded to you then you can sometimes bet to try and steal pot. If they check raise you just fold and live to play another hand.

I know this sounds more complex that it really is. When you think about it, it is logic that the more players there are means the more cards there are in play and so you need to be tighter and play progressively better cards only as player numbers rise.

Now as to how and where you apply this knowledge, that depends on your situation. If you are a poker beginner or short on funds start off on free online texas holdem poker sites. As you improve and grow your bankroll you can move up in stakes and winnings. If you are new, the best way is to start with free texas holdem poker sites and only move up once you are well practised and confident.

Nick is Marketing Manager for fun play free online poker site NoPayPOKER, a 100% no deposit site which means there is literally no way to lose money. As a result it is USA player legal and not even defined as a gambling site. But, and this is the twist, it is 100% funded by advertisers whose money is shared out as cash prizes to all the fun poker game winners!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com