Poker can be a fun mind game and a big money maker but knowing when to “fold em” as the saying goes is not easy before seeing the cards being dealt. Some never fold before seeing the flop and some use their own strategies they will follow before they bet. If you are a newbie to the game or just don’t know what to do before you see those 3 cards revealed, here are 3 strategies to help with the pre-flop.
High Card doesn’t always Win.
Being dealt a high card in poker online doesn’t always secure a win, on the other hand a win is possible with a high card even when there are no matching combinations by the other players. Everyone at the table is trying for the highest winning combination, but there are times when no one gets that lucky. So, guess who wins? High card wins! Just don’t go all in every time there’s an Ace in hand. A,K,Q and 10’s are considered the higher cards so don’t automatically think the King reigns because there could be 3 Queens around the corner.
Check or Bet? How high are the stakes?
Knowing when to bet or fold on the preflop can be tough for a beginner but ask yourself what are the stakes? It depends on how much you are willing to risk that the 2 cards you’ve been dealt will be the lucky combo. If all you have to do is check, then you might as well see the flop. Sometimes the winner is a Three of a kind of the lowest number in the deck, so don’t fold too soon if the stakes won’t kill you. If you can afford to take the chance to be a part of the flop, don’t let a weak preflop hand scare you away. Take the chance!
Count to 5!
A big guide to follow when trying to decide on staying in the game before the flop is usually a pair or maybe having the same suit. Those pre-flop rules are for the really new beginners. Others know that to heighten the chances of getting a straight is if the cards in your hand are within 5 numbers. Keep a straight face when you see a 10/A and bet on it. If a J, K, Q shows up on the flop, river and/or turn you will walk away with the highest straight combo. As long as the 2 cards are within 5 think twice before you fold on the pre-flop and it doesn’t have to be the highest 5. A straight winning combo can be as low as A,2,3,4,5 so pay attention and count to five!
