Overcards in Texas Hold Em Poker Online Game.

Should you play overcards or not? Many players routinely call with overcards. Assume you called the flop with K-J, you’re up against three opponents, and the flop is 8-6-3 of mixed suits. Do you call, hoping the card you take off the deck is a King or Jack — one of the six remaining cards in the deck which presumably gives you the best hand? Or are you better off folding, and waiting for a flop that fits your hand?

Example:

Your hand K -J

The board 8 -6 -3

You have two over cards to the board. There are 6 cards remaining in the deck that should give you the best hand should they come out on the turn or river, three Kings and three Jacks

This is where you should know your opponents and the kind of hands they are likely to play. Then examine the texture of the flop. Is it the kind of flop which will tend to hit one or more players? Or is it so ragged that it’s unlikely any of your opponents are holding cards the flop would have paired?

The more opponents, the more likely the flop will hit at least one of them. If you’re up against one opponent, you’ll seldom be sure whether he’s running a bluff, or the flop paired him. The decision to play or pass needs to be made with an understanding of your opponent’s playing style, an awareness of the amount of money currently in the pot, and how much you’re likely to win if you hit your hand. You should also consider your opponent’s propensity for bluffing, and the texture of the flop.

Finally, if you’re unsure what to do, err on the side of caution until you gain enough playing experience to feel comfortable in these situations.

Summarizing flop play.

If the flop doesn’t fit your hand, most of the time you’ll have to release it. The flop defines your hand.

Be aware of your opponents’ playing styles. Determine if they’re passive or aggressive, loose or tight. Categorize their play.

When you’re up against a lot of opponents, fold if the flop does not fit your hand. It probably fit someone’s hand — regardless of how ragged it might look. Let someone else call to keep him honest. Save your money for profit making opportunities.

When you flop a big hand, give your opponents an opportunity to make the second best hand, but avoid giving them a free card that could beat you.

If you flop a draw, stick with it as long as the pot odds promise a greater payoff than the odds against making your hand. When you have a hand with a multitude of possibilities, play it fast. It has value which exceeds any of its component possibilities.

Be selective about the hands you plan to continue on with, but be aggressive when you have a hand that warrants it.

More poker knowledge ahead – 7 hand poker tips and poker ranking of hands info.

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October 30, 2008

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