Here are a few free poker games tips I would like to share with you, my style and how I get my streaks in winning in poker texas holdem whether money or free poker online or real cash tables.

My poker tips cover 2 areas:

• The Type of Players in Poker
• Your Position

1. Types of Players

The Call Stations – These players likes to see a flop doesn’t bet or raise he only calls or checks until the river that is why they are labeled as Call Station. You can extract money on this player but be careful not too bluff at this player because it won’t work. (A.K.A. Loose-Passive)

The Rock – These players does not want to get involve with more hands and thus this player only plays with strong or premium hands. His hands can be range as pair of 10s and up with face cards. This player can easily be bluff. This player’s favorite action is only fold or call if he has premium hands. If you’re bluff is called then respect him because he isn’t lying about it. (A.K.A. Tight-Passive)

The Maniacs – These players are the ones who bet and raise so much and loves to bluff that much too. They would even go all in pre-flop without hesitation. I know you seen these kinds of players. Only call these players if you have the best hand. Bluffs won’t work because they are the ones who are going to bluff you back. (A.K.A. Loose-Aggressive)

The Solid Player – These players can be sometimes be called the professional players. They know the game and got some few tricks under sleeves. They know when to fold when their beat and know when to go all in when they sense it’s a bluff. They don’t play for luck, they play to win. (A.K.A. Tight-Aggressive)

2. Position

Position is really the key to able to get the most of poker. If you don’t know your position then you are playing poker blindly. An KQ might look good to call but its really not that good if you are the one first to act and other players are waiting for your action.

Early Position – this position refers to the first player to act before the flop comes out. This position follows next to the blinds.

There 2 early position in a table of 10 players. In this position you are in a great disadvantage to other players due to lack of information in the table. It is best to be tight in this position and raise with best starting hands. Your hands should only range in AA, KK, QQ, AK and others fold. Why? Because you lack information to other players and calling so many hands would risk you getting all your chips into the pot. Always raise.

Middle Position – this position is next in line with the early position players. There are 3 middle position in a 10 player table. In this situation you already have some knowledge of players involve in the pot.

It is best to play at least semi loose but still be cautious for there are still other players waiting in line. Hands can be played in this position are 88 – AA and suited connector cards like 89 diamonds. Be sure to know when you are beat in the flop and fold your hand. Re-raise only if you think you have the best hand.

Late Position – this position is next in line with the middle position. Usually this position is the most advantageous position. Why? Because you already gained enough information on the table with other players. You can almost play any cards in this position if the pot hasn’t been raise.

Call with not suited or suited connectors, suited cards, small pairs like 22, 33, 44 and practically any card as long as you know your players and the action towards you. This is where most bluffs are likely to be successful.

For a great free poker lesson on playable cards and position see the D M Vadnais series, “Building Your Bankroll” also on NoPayPOKER, it’s brilliant.

Unsure how to apply these skills? Don’t lose money learning, practice and learn first on micro or free online poker sites such as…NoPayPOKER!

October 2009 article contest Winner

Most poker players from the beginning free online poker player upward wants to improve his or her poker skills, be able to read the cards and odds better, bluff like a pro and so on. But many players don’t pay anywhere near enough attention to the types of games they are applying those skills to. This often overlooked factor can have a huge impact on success of failure.

For example, there’s an old story about a poker pro who was the sixth best player in the world but never made any money. That was because he chose to only play against the top five best players in the world. The moral of the story is that you make money when you possess a clear edge over your opponents.

Don’t be overconfident

Everyone wants to be the best and play the best. It’s a matter of pride. However, unless your name is Phil Ivey, you probably won’t have an advantage over every opponent in every game. It’s also important to recognize that even the top poker pros will sometimes step down a level and play lesser competition because it’s more profitable.

If you can’t beat players at lower level cash games, you shouldn’t try to play at higher level cash games. You’re going to go broke trying. Start out on free texas hold em games if you need to and work up from there.

This is true with online games as well as live card rooms. A great example I have of picking the right room is a time a few years ago when I found myself in a small resort hotel casino. The players there were pretty loose and passive and as a result with more aggressive play I was able to hammer them with larger bets that they were comfortable with and as a result doubled my money in 2 hours without even winning a pot simply by getting paid off for OK strength hands.

I also remember one time when I played for five hours in a $1/2 no-limit hold’em game at a five-star hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. I barely broke even. The players were tight and aggressive and played back at me when I tried to put a move on them. I knew afterward that I picked the wrong table.

What kind of game to look for

The first thing to keep in mind is your bankroll. If you can’t afford to play $5/10 live or $.50/1 online, then you shouldn’t do it. You should move down to a more affordable level even free poker if necessary.

The second thing that you must be honest about is your skill level. You should ask: Can I beat the level that I’m playing? If the answer is “no,” then you should move down. Start with free texas holdem poker games if you need to, for beginners or anyone learning or practicing new techniques micro or free poker is a great way to get going.

Once you’ve decided the level you can beat, you then need to be choosy about the particular table you want to sit at. Ideally, you want to play at a table where you see players making a lot of fundamental errors like playing too many hands or playing too passively. A loose and passive table is probably the most profitable table. A loose game will allow you to win big pots because players will call you down with weak hands, and a passive game affords you the opportunity to hit your draws cheaply and bully your opposition.

It’s not always possible to find a passive loose table when you need it. But with a bit of surveillance you should be able to work out if a game is at a level you can compete strongly and win at. Yes, it’s good to be a good player but poker is about winning so it’s no good to be a good player beat by better players, instead aim to be a good winning player! So practise the game selection process first, look at micro and free poker online sites and work up from there.