Poker : How to play pre-flop in poker - A guide for beginners

The cards that you have in poker are very important but deciding to enter the pot when playing pre-flop is just as important. I will present you 5 essential tips that every poker player should use when playing pre-flop

1st Tip: The cards
Not all card holdings are equal in Texas Hold’em because the game has several betting rounds. Because of this many times a Jack-Ten will beat a King-Five. Hands like King-Five should not be played very often because your opponent could have a bigger kicker.

The kicker in this case is the 5, and a King-Six would beat your King-Five. These cards are easily dominated and you should avoid playing them. Another good example of an easy dominated hand is Ace-Three. It is better if you play a small pair than any of these hands because a pair has higher chances of winning.

2nd Tip: The position at the table
The position at the table is the most important factor when deciding which hands to play before flop. When you play against nine opponents you should play fewer hands if you are in the first three positions, because with each player still in hand the chance of having a weaker hand than someone increases.

The same concept applies in the 4th to 6th positions (middle positions), but in these positions you can play the smaller pairs. When you consider that you have slim chances of winning, don’t hesitate to fold these cards.

The dealer button is the best position to be in a pre-flop game, because you are the last to act before the blinds, and because you are the last to act after the flop. You are able to observe your opponents’ actions and you can make changes in your betting, which means you are able to make more money.

3rd Tip: The gap concept
If someone has raised before you in a pre-flop game you must adjust the hands you are playing, because of the "Gap Concept". This means that the player who raised has a strong hand and you should tighten up.

When a re-raise occurs you should play only the strongest hands, because it means one of those players has a really strong hand.

4th Tip: Your poker image
Your poker image will be influenced by the number of hands you play pre-flop and your opponents will react differently on your calls or raising. For example if a player plays every hand will be considered a loose player, and people will re-raise him very often.

If a player keeps on folding he will be seen as a tight player and when he bets everyone will fold. Try to combine these two ways of playing, or use them to trick your opponents.

5th Tip: Post Flop Play
Your post-flop skills should influence the number of hands if you play pre-flop. If your post flop skills are not that great, it is best if you fold hands that are paired. If you have some skill, you can play the suited connectors and unsuited high cards too.