25.STRATEGIES 2 – Online Poker

Here are some general strategies to keep in mind:
Fast play high pairs and very strong hands before the flop. This puts more money in the early pot and encourages weak and garbage hands to fold that could get a lucky flop and beat you.

Don't draw to the low end or both ends of a straight. If a 9 8 7 flops, you want to be playing the J 10 and not the 6 5 or the 10 6. (The low part is commonly called the "ignorant" end of the straight.)

Unconnected Medium and Low Cards are Usually Unplayable. This includes suited cards that can't flop a straight. Both ends of a straight such as 9 5 fall into this very weak category.Play starting low pairs cautiously.

This means from 66 down to 22. You should not usually play them from an early seat and play from the late positions, only when the price is right. If you don't flop a set or quads you should usually fold.

Play aggressively when you have a two way draw after the flop. If you can make a straight AND a flush or trips etc., usually bet/raise your hand.

Bet an Ace or two high over cards after a garbage flop (a three suit "rainbow" with unconnected medium and low cards). Usually fold if someone raises.
Watch out for uniform flops, like 8 7 6, they can easily turn into straights that can overtake your high pair or other good hand.

Check the raisers chips. Players that are close to all-in often rush the betting just to get all their chips in a sink-or-swim last hand.

Beware of Suited Flops that can make a completed flush. In this case, you should usually hold the nut in that suit, or have trips or two pair that can fill up.

You can have all the strategy under your belt that your brain can hold, but be careful! There are tell-tale signs that can be exhibited by even the most seasoned poker player.

While it’s true that playing online doesn’t give you the advantage of seeing a player face to face, there are still some tells that many online players have to give them away.