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Obviously, with this type of hand, you are hoping for a nut flush. There is essentially a 12% chance that you will flop a flush draw and only a 5% chance (pre-flop) that your flush will even get there. However, I will say that I prefer hands like A-3 suited, where there is the straight possibility, to a hand like A-8 suited, where no straight is possible and your kicker is mediocre, at best. I mention A-8 because I find a lot of people saying it is their “lucky hand”. Aces and Eights…..Dead man’s hand….. hmmm, lucky.

Anyway, with this hand, the chances of you hitting an Ace are much better than any other possibility of a winning hand. With that said, you must be VERY careful about betting when you do hit that Ace on the flop. Generally speaking, if someone else has an Ace, you can bet you are out-kicked, so be wary of the slow play here. However, this is definitely the type of hand that requires a feeler bet to test what the other players have.

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Ok, now that I’ve said it, let me explain it.  If you have one of these top four hands in No Limit Holdem, you can justify shoving in every chip that you have before the flop.  It’s actually a very safe bet.  Of course, the more advanced poker player, it may actually be wise to fold this hand before the flop, but that’s very rare indeed.  It would take some serious evidence eluding to the fact that your opponent holds K-K or A-A.

That type of evidence would come as someone who you know plays very timidly and all of a sudden, they move all-in before you.  Even then, it would be one of the toughest folds of your life and only a few pros would even fold at that point.

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If a player has an AA hand, it can be a good hand but it can also be a very bad hand. I would say what matters most are the rest of the cards the poker player holds. For example, let’s compare A-A-2-3 double suited against A-A-5-5, no suit at all. In Texas Holdem, the second hand would be more powerful if it were just the Aces or Fives, however, Omaha Poker is a very different game. In Omaha Poker, the first hand can get two nut flushes so it holds two potential winning hands, maybe more including straight possibilities, and even more when you consider The Wheel. However, A-A-5-5 has no outcome whatsoever, it is a mediocre middle hand at best, and it should be usually dropped with the exception of a couple of situations.

Playing A-A-5-9 or A-A-4-9 should be done with great care, although I would suggest folding almost immediately. However, if you have A-A-9-2 hand then statistics say that it is actually a good hand that should be played in many situations. On the other hand, A-A-9-3 is a very weak hand. Once again, A-A-2-3 double suited is considered to be the best starting hand in Omaha Poker and should be played accordingly.

Keep in mind that in Omaha an AAxx hand is better when xx is QJ than when xx is 10-10 or JJ. Pairs are weaker than high cards when next to an ace pair. This is simply because of the amount of “outs” left in the deck. In Texas Holdem, top pair will win you more hands than not. However, in Omaha Poker, it’s trips and straights that will win the most for you.

Pocket Aces in Omaha Poker should be played with extreme caution, mainly because it means something only when assorted with two other cards that can empower it.

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This is where the similarities end.

Omaha poker is different in the number of faced-down pocket cards that each player is given by the dealer. In Omaha, players are dealt with four cards as opposed to the two cards in Texas Holdem. Like I mentioned, players are given five community cards which they can use. However, this gives a total of nine cards that they can choose from when creating the best hand. However, players must use their two pocket cards and their three community cards in coming up with the best five-card hand. It is this unique quality of Omaha that makes Omaha Poker such an interesting game.Because there are more cards involved and the possibility that a good card will be dealt with later in the game, players in Omaha poker often stay until the flop before folding.

Basic Omaha Poker strategy

Omaha poker is undisputedly more complicated than Texas Holdem because of the fact that players will have to make guesses on four of the cards instead of only two in Texas Holdem. Another is the fact that with the players going to use two of the cards in the pocket cards and three in the community cards, the possibilities and the combinations of the hands are greater. It is much more difficult for a player to guess the outcome of the game in Omaha poker than in some poker game types.

Omaha Poker has several popular variations

One variation of the Omaha poker is the Omaha Hi/Lo, which is quite the rage in the United States. In fact, it is the Hi/Lo variation that are often seen in US casinos as opposed to the Hi variation, which quite prevalent in European casinos. The name Hi/Lo is actually a shortcut for Hi/Lo split, eight or better.

In Omaha Hi/Lo, it is not the one with high hand that is given the pot money. The player with the best hand will have to split the pot money with the player with the lowest hand, provided that his hand can meet some requirements. If there is no low hand that can meet the requirements, then the best player will get the full pot money.

Some poker experts believe that folding is the only option here. After all, calling two bets with a pair of 3’s would not be prudent. However, there are those that disagree with this and believe that you should call in order to lure more players into the hand by increasing the pot odds for them.

I, however, like to take a different approach. I prefer to re-raise with a small pair and then represent whatever hits on the flop. To my opponents, it appears that I had a strong hand to begin with and that I made that strong hand even stronger on the flop. I do tend to play pocket pairs loosely before and after the flop. After all, part of playing solid poker is being commited to a pot.

There is another side to this playing style. I represent a big hand before the flop, then the flop comes tiny cards. The chances that I hit trips are increased, however my opponents suspect me of having a big hand before the flop. With tiny cards on the flop, my hand would appear weaker to them and I would be able to lure them in more easily to calling a weak looking bet or raise.

Basically, there are many different ways to play small pairs in Texas Holdem, but this is mine and it’s served me well.

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Limit Texas Holdem – The Role of Dealer

Like most other poker games, the dealer rotates clockwise in limit texas holdem. If you are playing at home, you can simply change dealers after each hand. However, limit texas holdem in a casino is a bit different. There is a professional dealer who deals each hand of limit texas holdem and there is a “button” in front of one player, which represents the dealer. A good dealer will keep the game of limit texas holdem running smoothly and fairly.

Limit Texas Holdem – The role of the “button”

In Limit Texas Holdem, like most poker games, the button in front of a player represents the dealer whenever a professional dealer is present. This button is usually a white plastic chip with the words “dealer” printed on it. This button rotates clockwise around the poker table just as the deck of cards would in a home poker game of limit texas holdem.

Limit Texas Holdem – The Blinds

Before the first round of betting and before any cards are dealt, the two players to the left of the “button” (or dealer) post forced bets known as the small blind and big blind. These bets are important to the game of limit texas holdem because they establish action at the table.

The size of the blinds are determined by the limit of the game of texas holdem that you are playing. If you are playing $2/$4 limit texas holdem, the small blind would be $1 and the big blind would be $2. Basically, the big blind is equal to the size of the minimum first bet and the small blind is equal to half of the big blind.

Limit Texas Holdem – The pocket cards

The dealer deals two cards, face down to each player. There is a round of betting. This is a first round bet, so the minimum is that of the big blind. In $10/$20 limit texas holdem, this bet would be $10. The first to act is the person to the left of the big blind and the players act, in turn, clockwise.

Limit Texas Holdem – The Flop

After the first round of betting, the dealer burns a card, then “flops” three cards, face up. These cards are called community cards and are to be used by everyone to make the best poker hand. A round of betting commences, also a first round bet. Using 10/20 as the limit texas holdem game, the minimum bet would be $10.

Limit Texas Holdem – The Turn and The River

After the second round of betting in limit texas holdem, the dealer burns another card and turns one card face up. This is the fourth community card, called “The Turn” and is to be used by all players to make their best poker hand. A round of betting occurs, however, this round is at the higher limit. In 10/20 limit holdem, the minimum for this round would be $20.

After this third round of betting, the dealer burns another card and turns the fifth and final card, known as “The River”. A final round of betting, at the higher limit occurs and the players turn over their hands.

Unlike the game of Razz, The best poker hand wins in Limit Texas Holdem.

Limit Texas Holdem – Final Thoughts

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After playing for a short period of time, say 100 hours, a player starts to develop an opinion about his or her play. They might think they’re playing very well or very poorly, but this conclusion might be far from the truth. The problem is that, in the short term, anything can happen. A player may get very lucky or unlucky and show results that are either far higher or lower than they could ever expect in the long-term. However, over a longer period – say 300 hours or more – a player is going to get a much more accurate view of their ability to beat the game.

So what does this mean for you? In short, I recommend that you keep an eye on your long-term results no matter if you’re in the midst of a hot streak or a cold one. While taking the long view will help you more accurately assess your play, it can’t help you avoid every pitfall along the way.

For example, assume that I’ve played the following games of No-Limit Hold ‘em and have managed the following debts and profits:

Game: $1/$2
Hours: 200
Profit/Loss: -$2,000

Game: $2/$4
Hours: 200
Profit/Loss: -$4,000

Game: $25/50
Hours: 30
Profit/Loss: +$36,000

At first glance, it looks like I’m dong pretty well, right? I’ve make a handsome profit of $30,000. Look deeper though and you’ll see that I wouldn’t want to quit my day job because, in fact, I’m doing quite poorly.

To better understand what I mean, don’t think about the actual dollar figures involved but, instead, think of each small blind as a unit. So, in a $1/$2 game, each unit is 1 and in a $25/$50 game each unit is 25.

How have I done in terms of units won and lost? I’ve lost 2,000 units in the $1/$2 game, 2,000 units in the $2/$4 game and won 1,440 units in the $25/$50 game. Total everything up and you’ll see that after 430 hours of play, I’ve lost 2,560 units. This is bad news.

As you keep records of your sessions, be sure to record the size of the game you’re playing and number of units you’ve won or lost. At the start of your poker career, put more emphasis on units won or lost than on your total profit. It’s a more accurate gauge as to whether you’re playing winning poker.

Poker Article originally by team Fulltilt Poker member, Ben Roberts.

How to Spot a Poker Bluff Tip#1 – Body Language

Concentrate on your opponent’s body language. What do they do after they bet or raise. We have all heard the saying, People that act weak and really strong and people that act strong are really weak. Try to notice the subtle things that the person does. Do they bet and then stare you down. Weak. Do they bet and then sit back in their chairs. Strong.

How to Spot a Poker Bluff Tip #2 – Betting history

Remember as much about an opponent’s betting history as possible. This information can be a key element in catching a bluffer. Does the opponent always raise when a certain person is big blind, in essence trying to bully this person? Does your opponent raise every time they have an ace, no matter what the second card is? How is this person betting their pocket pairs? Do they try to force people to fold when they are on a draw?

How to Spot a Poker Bluff Tip #3 Probe for Information

This tip takes some time to perfect. You have probably seen this on TV plenty of times. One player raises another and then the interrogation starts. So what do you have over there buddy? You got kings? You didn’t raise pre flop so I doubt that. What do you got queen king, something like that? A veteran knows not to say a word because even in trying to throw off the opponent, inadvertently something may tip the opponent off that there may be some bluffing going on. So ask as many questions as possible. Try to get information about your opponent’s play through body language or even the pitch in their voice. You may be surprised that your opponent may give away vital information even if they don’t say a word.

How to Spot a Poker Bluff Tip #4 – Pay to See a Hand

In the world of poker information is key. Every once in a while if you feel like you are being bluffed out of your money, pay to see the bluffers hand. This may be hard to do if you really feel like your going to be beat but in the end it is definitely worth it. Once the cards are turns over you must remember how the whole hand was played. Okay, I was re-raised pre flop, re-raised again on the river, the turn was checked and the river was checked. But you had Q9 offsuit! This information might help you out in the later stages of the game.

How to Spot a Poker Bluff Tip #5 Catch’em on Tilt

A player on tilt means that they caught a really bad beat on the previous hand and they are visible shaken and extremely angry. Normally this player will play just about whatever the next hand that is dealt, within reason of course, and usually play this hand out of control. If you catch a player while they are on tilt usually you can catch them bluffing.

If you follow these five simple tips and you will be well on your way to spotting a bluffer at your next home game.

Without a doubt “pocket rockets” – two aces – are the cards you want to see when you pick up your hold cards. Remember though that even two aces can be beaten, so be sure and reassess your hand after each round of betting. Don’t get so attached to those Aces that you can’t give them up.

Cowboys – a pair of kings – are the second best initial hand in Texas Hold’em followed by a pair of ladies – two queens. Next comes “big slick”, a Ace and a King. The fifth best two card opening set would then be the “little slick” combination of an Ace and a Queen, again suited improves the odds. While there is almost universal agreement on the first four hands, there is some difference of thought on the fifth best. There are those who think a pair of “hooks” – two jacks – beats out the “little slick”. Two jacks do win in about two out of ten starts, if no higher face cards show up in the flop.

Deuce (a two) is the common denominator in three of the five worst Texas Hold’em hands. Deuce seven unsuited and deuce eight unsuited are the two hold card sets you don’t want to turn over. They can’t make straights with the next three cards dropped and their pair possibilities are at the low end of the spectrum. Fold’em fast unless you’re just playing for fun although playing them probably won’t be much fun either.

Three eight; still no straight chance and the pairs are only negligibly better. Deuce six and three seven are the fourth and fifth worst hands out there; the only thing that sets them apart from the other three dogs is the fact that miracles can turn them into straights. Don’t count on miracles to turn hold cards that lose 9 times out of ten into winners.

All that being written, Texas Hold’em is a lot like any other sport: On any given day, any given hand can win. The players who win consistently at Texas Hold’em, though, don’t rely on lightening striking. They know the odds, they know their cards, they know their fellow players and they play them all with skill and hope to get lucky once in awhile.