If you really want solid poker advice, it's best to bypass the rooks and go straight to the pros. That's why we sat down with Phil Gordon, multi-time winner on the World Poker Tour and host of Celebrity Poker Showdown.
Seeing as Phil's made his fortune by taking risks, we wanted his input on a debate that plagues amateurs and pros alike: When is the right time to take a risk in poker? Read on for his take on 10 situations where it's right to roll the dice. So at least the next time you lose your pants at the card table, it won't be entirely your own fault.
Number 10
Raise on strong hands
Aggressive poker is winning poker. When you bet and raise, you have two ways to win: Either you can make the best hand or your opponent might fold. If you play passively and just check and call, the only way to win is by having the best hand. Remember this: Calling is never "right" on the river. If you have the best hand, you should be raising; if you have the worst hand, you should be folding.Number 9
React to clues
Every action and inaction at the table gives you clues about the strengths of your opponents' hand. Watch them even when you're not in the hand, and your results will improve. I was playing in a game and was watching intently when I noticed a huge tell from the real sucker at the table. The very next hand, he bet $5,000 into me and did the same exact thing I had just noticed. I busted him.Number 8
Raise before the flop
If you're the first person to voluntarily commit chips to the pot before the flop, I believe it's right to risk coming in for a raise of about three times the big blind. When you raise before the flop, you have several things working for you:- You take control of the betting
- You have a chance to steal the blinds
- You conceal the strength of your hand
- You get your opponents to define the strength of their hand
- You limit the competition
Number 7
Risk big on a big pot
Be more willing to risk going broke if the pot is big. When the pot is small, take a lot fewer risks. In most cases, calling a big bet after the flop with only one pair will be a mistake. One pair is rarely a big enough hand to warrant going all-in with after the flop.Number 6
Risk the bluff
Risking a bluff is one of the "arts" in No Limit Texas Hold 'Em -- or any poker game for that matter. Here are some factors that should lead you to be more willing to bluff:- You've shown strength throughout the hand
- Your opponent has shown weakness at his last opportunity
- Your opponent is capable of folding (you can't bluff a guy that won't fold)
- The pot is big
- You can't win unless you bet
- You haven't been caught bluffing recently
- Your opponent hasn't been bluffed out and has shown a bluff recently
- Your opponent hasn't caught anyone bluffing recently
Number 5
Risk big after flopping a straight
When you flop a straight, in all likelihood you're going to end up with a straight. Be very aggressive with the flopped straights -- people on flush draws or draws to a full house will come after you, and you need to make them pay an appropriate price to continue with their draw. Too many novice players slow play the flopped straight and then pay off their opponents with a big bet after they are drawing dead.Number 4
Risk the all-in when you have to
With half of your chips or more committed to the pot before the flop, if an opponent raises you all-in, you are forced to call no matter what two cards you hold. You'll always be getting at least three to one on your money, and folding will be a mistake. Risk going all-in regardless of the strength of your hand.Number 3
Act on tells from actors
When a player at the table is acting, figure out what response they are trying to elicit, and then do the opposite. If a player is acting weak, they are doing so because they want you to put chips into the pot. In other words, this is a good time to fold. If a player is acting strong, they are doing so to conceal the weakness in their real hand -- raise or call.Number 2
Check with a medium-strength hand after the river
When the river card is dealt and you have a medium-strength hand (with regard to all the previous rounds of betting and everything you know about your opponent), be very cautious. Risking a bet in this circumstance is always a losing tactic. If you bet, your opponent will normally only call if they have you beat, or fold if you have them beat. Give your opponent a chance to make a mistake by checking. When you check, they can check a hand that beats you that they would have called with, or they can put chips into the pot that you can call when they would have folded to a bet.Number 1
Risk the right amount
When you're considering a bet after the flop, I suggest betting at least half the pot to the full size of the pot. Bet more if there are many draws out there that could beat you. Bet less if there are very few draws. Remember, the goal in poker is not to win the pot, but to win the best hand. When you have the best hand, you really want your opponent to put as many chips into the pot as possible. When you have the worst hand, you want to put as few chips into the pot as possible.know the right risks to take
Poker is a game of risks -- but they don't have to be blind risks. Play aggressive but smart, and you may find yourself a wealthier man for it.________________________________________________
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