Texas Holdem Poker

Playing short handed no limit holdem poker can be one of the most challenging forms of holdem that you can undertake.  Playing short handed requires you to not only be able to read your opponents well, but be able to make adjustments in your play that you wouldn’t normally make in a full ring game.  Today, lets look at playing sets in short handed play.

In most ring games, it is recommended to play lower pairs either cautiously or not at all.  In short handed games you need to change you method of thinking.  Approximately once ever eight times you play a pair, you will flop a set.  When you flop a set, you obviously have a strong hand.  When playing short handed no limit holdem, pot odds are not quite as important as implied odds.  For example, let’s say you have pocket fours and have to call a $20 preflop raise.  Your opponent has $400 in front of him.  If you hit your set on the flop, there is a pretty good chance that you will be able to get a good portion, if not all of your opponents stack.  As a result, you need to play more single pairs.

If you miss the flop with your single pair, then you have the option of getting away cheaply.  Many times, when you miss flopping a set you will have to fold to a bet from an opponent.  There are some cases where you will play against players that raised preflop holding a pair or a hand such as AJ.  On the flop, they very well may check to you depending on the board.  A player that raised with J-J will likely check to you if you flat called their raise and an over card hits the board.  The same may be true if they have aces or kings and the flop comes middling.  In this event, you may be able to draw to another free card to hit your set.

When you hit your set, traditional wisdom says to slow play your hand.  Whether you slow play will depends on a few factors.  First, if the board flops with a potential draw, you want to make the player pay to draw out on you.  Next, if the board comes somewhat nonthreatening, you may want to check to induce a bet from your opponent, especially if it looks that they may have hit top pair of if you feel they have a pair in their hand.  The same is true if you have an opponent that is overly aggressive.

Granted, there will be some times that you and your opponent have sets and they outflop your set or outdraw your set.  These sorts of things happen in poker.  You will have opponents that will chase bad with certain draws and hit.  Others will call with an over pair and hit on occasion.  When this happens, do not let your bad luck affect your game.  It’s normal variance.  You will win the majority of the time when you flop a set.  Play your set as if every time will be a winner.

You can play the best short handed no limit poker games on Titan Poker.

Related Posts

• No Limit Holdem – Playing Your Position
• No Limit Holdem Basic Math
• Common Mistakes by Beginners in No Limit Holdem Poker
• No Limit Holdem Poker for the Absolute Beginner
• Transitioning to Limit Holdem from No Limit Holdem Poker