Strategy Hints for HORSE Poker Tournaments

March 26th, 2010  |  Published in Gambling Games

HORSE poker tournaments are an intense test of skill for any player. In order to win a HORSE tournament, a player must compete in Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud- Eights or Better. The combination of these games can wear out even the best of players. For this reason, any player entering a HORSE poker tournament should be prepared with a lot of skill and a good strategy. If you are planning on playing in one of these popular tournaments, plan in advance and know your strategy going in.

Know Your Strengths

The most important thing you can do to prepare for a HORSE poker tournament is to identify your strengths. While you may know the ropes of every poker game on the menu, you will be strongest in one or two games. Identify your strongest games by practicing each game for several weeks before the tournament. At the tournament, play hard and fast in your strongest games.

Know Your Weakness

Just like your strengths, you will have weaknesses. There will be one or two poker games in the HORSE line-up that are just not your strong suit. Before the tournament, practice these often to try to increase your skill level. During the tournament, bet conservatively during these games and play modestly.

Know Where to Spend Your Chips

You will be given a set amount of poker chips after you buy-in to the HORSE tournament. Play these chips wisely because once they are gone, you are out of the game. A good strategy is to bet aggressively throughout your strongest game. This way you have the highest chance of increasing your bankroll. When you are playing games you are weak in, bet modestly. This will save your bankroll and keep you in the game.

Get to Know the Other Players

A good rule of thumb, and one that is especially vital in a challenging poker tournament, is to study your opponent. Watch the betting and playing styles of every player in the tournament. Try to learn their weaknesses and use them to your advantage. For example, a player who is betting too aggressively will call when they should fold. Watch out for these players and do not get sucked in to their betting raises. An aggressive player is more likely to bet high on a poor hand, and there is no reason you should follow them in to the losers circle.

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Five Tips for Seven Card Stud

February 25th, 2010  |  Published in Inrodution

Seven Card Stud is an old poker game, and one of the more popular games to play both at-home and at the casino. In Seven Card Stud, a player is dealt a combination of face up and face down cards. The chance to see a portion of every player’s hand makes Seven Card Stud a highly exciting game of poker. It also makes it a highly challenging game of poker.

Five Tips for Seven Card Stud

1. Remember that the first four cards you are dealt are the most likely to win the hand. The first four face  up cards you are dealt will give you the best idea of how your hand is going to turn out. If the cards do not form a good high hand, fold early to avoid loosing a higher bet on a bad hand later on.

2. Pay attention to the board. The face-up cards dealing in Seven Card Stud can turn some people off of the game, however, you should look at those face-up cards as an opportunity. Study your own cards to gauge what kind of hand you are going to end up with during every draw. Always keep one eye on your opponent’s cards as well. If it looks like another’s players hand is likely to beat yours, consider folding.

3. Play slow when you have a good hand. If the first three cards your are dealt show all the signs of flush or other high hand, play the round as slowly as you can. Bet modestly, play conservatively. The idea is to keep as many players in the game as possible by remaining low-key, this will raise the pot as high- so that when you do win- you win big.

4. Consider folding if another player’s board cards beat your own. There are several rounds of betting in Seven Card Stud, and the pot can get pretty high. Always consider folding if you notice another player’s board cards beat your own. This will reduce your loss risk.

5. Pay attention to the other players. Always keep an eye on every player at the table, even when they are not playing in the round. Make a mental note when the fold, when they bluff, and how aggressively they are betting. The more you know about your opponents, the easier it will be to beat them.

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