Texas Hold’Em Pre-Flop Versus Post-Flop
To play Texas Hold’Em successfully, one must stick to the best decision throughout the game. But what is a good decision and what is not? The most debated over decision often comes during the pre-Flop and the post-Flop scenario.
Most of the time, there are variations of how each player plays a scenario. There is a near consensus on how to play the pre-flop and the post-flop scenario between professional poker players, although if you have watched many poker tournaments, you would have noticed that even the most professional players does not always play by the book.
What’s with the Pre-Flop
Playing the pre-flop scenario always comes after identifying the right starting hand. But even this has a lot of questions that follow. I would not dare answer each and every one of these questions nor would I dare to say that I have the absolute solution to playing the pre-flop scenario. I would just therefore state some of the points to ponder in arriving at a relatively good decision in a pre-flop scenario.
What do you have during the pre-flop? You have two cards that could be any of the 2,652 possible two-card combinations in a deck of 52 cards. Professionals consider only a fraction of these combinations as “playable hands.” But how do you know if it is playable or not? The answer to that, my friend, is probability. Ask yourself the probability of getting the best card basing only from what you have on your hand.
Additionally, I would suggest that the slightest possibility should always be given a chance. How? Wait for the flop. The flop always has the power to change the outcome and the strength of your hand. But never gamble for the flop, meaning, if one player bets or raises on the pre-flop with a considerable amount, always try to assume his hands are highly playable cards and analyze the situation. Again, play for the flop but never gamble.
The Power of the Flop
The Flop is a very crucial stage since you get to see three out of five of the community cards. This will give you enough information on how to play your hand. The flop does not always provide the conclusion on the outcome of your hand, but it does give you the larger picture.
Once you become lucky enough or stubborn enough to see the flop, you will have three considerations. First, if you have the nut, now is the time to plan in maximizing your winnings. Second, if you have a borderline hand, now is the time to gamble or to wiggle yourself to the pot. Third, if you think things seemed to be against you, now is the time to minimize your losses.