How to Play Online Texas Hold'Em for Newbies

There are MANY common mistakes that people make when first attempting to master this game. Typically, a new player looks at online play as a chance to make money from other newbies, unfortunately this is not a safe assumption. As a general rule, playing online is, if anything, MORE difficult than playing a live game, for the simple fact that you cannot physically observe the other players. If someone is bluffing you ONLINE, unless you have studied every hand they have played for some time, you may not be willing to accept that they have you beat. Rule #1 In HoldEm is *Don't be married to the pot...* This means, is you have even the slightest gut feeling that you might not be able to take it down, GET OUT. Regardless of how much you're in for. This rule applies to HoldEm live as well as online.

The following is some great advice that I have learned the hard way. I'm certainly no expert, so these tips are intended for the pre-average player. These typical mistakes can send you off on a tilt in no time, so, having done the *research* for you, I will let you in on the most common HoldEm fails.

1. Never, ever, ever ignore another player's betting pattern. A raise could be a bluff, sure...but pay attention to how much they are betting. The *call anything* mentality only works if you are SURE. And with 2 hole cards, ABSOLUTE WIN is actually pretty rare. A person betting the Big Blind ONLY is less likely to have a killer hand than the person raising the Big Blind every card.

2. Straight and Flush Chasing. If you are Chip drunk, this is a FAST way to finish last. The higher your chip count, the more you can afford to test your luck. But, remember that from time to time, calling someone's all-in when you think you have the only straight or flush could likely result in the other player having the higher straight or flush. Unless you have that Ace, in both situations, seriously consider what your high card is.