Rake Back Rack » Poker Strategy

Poker Strategy – Multi-Tabling For More Profit

Rob — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:08:47 +0000

Since Poker Rakeback is a progressive profit, it only makes sense that the more you play, the more rake back you will earn. Therefore, in this strategy article, we will explain how to earn the most Rakeback in the shortest time by multi-tabling.

There are plenty of Rakeback Strategies you can combine with a Multi-Tabling Rakeback Strategy. For instance, if you join a Rakeback Program that pays Rakeback for both Ring Games and Tournament Fees, you will have a broader spectrum to choose from. See the following Rakeback Strategies for specifics on how to earn Rakeback playing Tournaments and Ring Games.

Rakeback Strategy – Big Table, Little Flop

Rakeback Strategy – Heads-Up Ring Games

Rakeback Strategy – Earn Rakeback from Tournaments

Each of these Rakeback Strategies has proven to be effective for earning the most Rakeback while risking the least chips, and/or making the most profits from winning at the tables. However, you can implement these Rakeback Strategies in full force by playing more than one poker table at a time.

Online poker rooms generally support a specific number of simultaneous cash game multi-tables, ranging anywhere from 8 to 24, or even unlimited. Just about every online poker room allows players to participate in an unlimited number of Tournaments at the same time.

There are only two aspects that factor into how many multi-table poker games a player should participate in, whether they be ring games or tournaments. The first is whether you can keep up with this many tables at once. Do not over-exert your brains ability to keep up with each game, or you may actually reverse the profit potential of a Multi-Tabling Rakeback Strategy.

The other factor is your computer’s ability to run simultaneous poker games. Any computer purchased in the least 4 to 5 years should be perfectly capable of running at least 6 to 8 multi-tables without interruption, but the software and connection speed can also play a factor.

For example, PKR.com has the most advanced 3d poker graphics, so you may wish to turn off features for max speed. If you’re computer runs on a dial-up connection, don’t even think about multi-tabling on any site without testing it first. Broadband connections are highly recommended.

In short, if you can earn even $1 an hour in Rakeback at a single table, you could multiply that to $5, $10 or even more per hour by implementing a Multi-Tabling Rakeback Strategy.

Poker Strategy – Heads Up Ring Games

Rob — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:51:21 +0000

Playing heads-up ring games can be great rakeback strategy as it is a much faster way to build up a shared rakeback account. One must be careful, however, as it can also take a heavy toll on your bankroll if you don’t play it smart.

Playing heads-up ring games has its share of advantages and disadvantages. On the one side of the coin, you’ll be playing a lot more hands per hour, with a much higher percentage contributed to rake. On the flip side, you’ll want to stay away from multi-tabling as your thoughts should be focused on the high-speed heads up game.

The most frequent predicament associated with a heads-up ring game Rakeback strategy is the intense fluctuation of your bankroll. This is why so much focus is required to maintain a rising chip stack, while gaining maximum Rakeback.

To make the most of this Rakeback strategy, you’ll want to see a lot of Flops. Luckily, viewing more Flops is acceptable in heads-up play, where it is a big no-no at full tables. When taking on a single player, you’ll have a much easier time deciding whether your hand is good enough to move on, or Fold after the Flop.

The skill level of your opponent has a lot to do with the success of this Rakeback strategy. If you’re playing a very tight, experienced player, he’s going to Fold a lot before the Flop. If no Flop comes down, no rake will be taken. Without a rake, the Rakeback strategy becomes pointless. Instead, try to find yourself a less experienced opponent who will call just to see Flops. These players are usually found in lower limit games and easily recognized after only a few hands.

The thing you want to watch out for most is over-betting before the Flop with a marginal hand. The more you risk pre-flop, the more you stand to lose if the Flop doesn’t improve your hand. The only time you should bet/raise high before the Flop is when you have a premium Starting Hand, or if you know you can bluff out your opponent and steal the Big Blind.

Another notable advantage to playing heads-up ring games is the ability to clear bonuses very quickly. Clearing bonuses requires points, which are accumulated by participating in raked hands. The more you contribute to rake, the more points you earn. Since heads-up games move so fast, not only are you fulfilling the Rakeback strategy, you’re clearing bonuses at break-neck pace.

Poker Strategy – Big Table, Little Flop

Rob — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:46:52 +0000

This poker strategy is based on seeing a lot of Flops at big action tables, without actually contributing much in the way of your own chips. That pretty much sums up this poker strategy, but we’ll go into further detail to better explain the process.

To pull off this exceptionally profitable Rakeback Strategy, you’ll need to find some relatively inexpensive tables with high viewed-flop percentages, preferably in the 50% and up range.

Next, we want to observe the average pot size at high viewed-flop tables.

Online poker rooms generally take a 5% rake, capped at $3. You want to make sure each pot is going to rake the maximum amount. Since 5% of 100 is 20, you want to multiply the maximum rake ($3) by 20, which equals 60. This means we are looking for tables with an average pot of around $60.

To make your efforts as inexpensive as possible, scour the poker lobby for cash games with an average pot size of about $60, with the lowest stakes available. A higher viewed-flop percentage means most of the players are getting in on the action, disregarding Starting Hand poker strategies.

It is recommended to join the table, but sit out the first two or three hands. This will allow you to see how the competition is playing out. You don’t want to get yourself caught up in a constant Pre-Flop Raising situation, or you’ll be dropping too many chips to make a profit from Rakeback.

When in early position, you can Call the Big Blind without risking much, but in late position, being required to Call a Raise in order to contribute to the pot isn’t worth it.

By following this Rakeback Strategy, you are putting yourself in a position to fork over the least amount of chips, while earning the highest possible Rakeback. When competing at tables such as we’ve described above (low stakes + high viewed-flop percentage + $60 average pot size), you’ll likely find several opportunities to take down a few of those pots as well, greatly increasing your overall profit potential.

Poker Strategy – Attacking Small Pots

Rob — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:40:59 +0000

In this poker strategy article, we’ll discuss the profit potential in attacking small pots, and staying away from the big ones unless you have a monster hand to back it up. By following this poker rakeback strategy, you will lose about the same amount of chips a typical tight poker strategy calls for, but gain a lot more in the way of rakeback profits.

The idea behind this poker rakeback strategy is to attack the small pots, contributing to the rake when no one is displaying confidence in their own hand. Essentially, small pots are the ones no player has bothered to raise. By getting in on this action, you’re risking only a few chips, but ensuring you’ll get a piece of the Rakeback, and possibly win the entire hand should the Flop prove useful.

If you have been at the table long enough to read your opponents and predict their behavior, you can make an even bigger profit with this Rakeback Strategy by stealing blinds from late position. When small pots arise, and you’re on the Button or in a Blind position, you can put your opponents into a corner, forcing them to Fold to a big bet. You earn the Rakeback, plus the pot. It doesn’t get much better than that!

It is strongly discouraged to stay in the action on big hands. The only time a player should do this is with a Premium Starting Hand that receives help on the Flop. Basically, if you have the Nuts, go for the gold. Otherwise, keep a tight grasp on your chips and continue building profit through this small pot Rakeback Strategy.

Poker Strategy – Perfecting Your Poker Bluff

Rob — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:50:28 +0000

Everyone does it but very few do it well. The poker bluff is a refined skill, something that can tilt a game in your favor if used sparingly and at the right time.

In order to learn when is the right time to use your bluff we first have to study the behavior of the other players in the game. It is important to understand the betting habits of those at the table with you in order to execute a well timed bluff. First, establish yourself as a consistent player, show the others playing with you that you don’t make a bad habit of raising when you are holding a pair of deuces or holding back and calling with a full house. Establish your table character so you can use your bluff effectively.

Once you feel you have established your betting identity at a given table and have a good read at the betting habits of others you are now ready for your first bluff. The two players you have marked as quick betters raise with their first bets while at the same time those you have marked as “rocks” or conservative betters have either called or folded leading to your ideal bluff scenario. Start off with a conservative raise as you are not trying to scare off the “maniacs” still in the game. If the quick betters once again raise you are now set to begin betting aggressively with the intent of either building the pot or scaring of those faint of heart.

At this point the knowledgeable players remaining in the game will either decide it is time to fold or will counter with a call. The novice player marked as a “maniac” will se too enthralled with the size of the pot to back out at this time which is exactly what you were hoping for.

The ideal bluff strategy is what is called a semi-bluff, where you may be holding a pair of low numbered cards that offer you a change at winning the pot against the “maniac” bluffers simply waiting for all the other players to fold.

Using a well executed bluff will also help you with your strong hands, as now the possibility of you bluffing has been shown to the other players. They may go deeper into a game with an average hand knowing there is the possibility you are playing another bluff. Use the bluff sparingly and you time at the table will be much more enjoyable and profitable!

About the Author

For online poker reviews, Poker.com bonus codes, and a PokerRoom review, visit http://www.poker-reviews-online.com/ today.

Poker Strategy – How To Play Straight Draws

Rob — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:19:33 +0000

Most players know the fact that they have to be aware of the odds or the game when it comes to draws. You have surely had opponents that many times exaggerate the way they are plating their draw hands. If you consider yourself to be like that, then you should examine more draws. For example let’s consider a draw of the straight type. There a two kinds of straight. First there is the inside straight or otherwise called the gunshot draw. This is a straight that has cards in it starting a little over the beginning of the suite and ending a little earlier its ending. And then there is the open-ended straight draw. As the name says, this draw either starts at the beginning of a suite, or ends at the end of a suite. Both of them are dangerous and knowing the odds if just an element that will help you deal with them.

The gunshot draw is often played wrongly. So many players run after a gunshot draw right after the flop because they think the odds are in their favor, but they should know that the odds to get this draw are about 5-1 against them until the river. If these players miss a turn, they will fold knowing the chances just lowered themselves to about 11-1 against their purpose. If only they would take a moment to think it through from the beginning they would have realized then that the overall odds were since then about 11-1 against them, so there was no point in betting on the flop. But they do it all the time, thinking they are doing the absolute right thing. And they sometimes win and is proves them they are right.

These are the players you should want to play against, because you would stand a big winning chance. But, if somehow the odds are bigger than 11-1 in the beginning, then just ignore this advice and go for it because you might just make it and win a lot.

If however the odds tell you to stop, then stop. Set a limit to this draws that make you only lose money online. Unless you have good reasons, stop chasing them. Some good reasons would be: knowing the cards of the opponent – which is impossible – , having bigger cards that all the cards in the flop, having a pair that is bigger that all the cards in the flop.

These hands are very dangerous most of the times. The best thing to do is to throw them and have no regrets while doing this.

About the Author

For a special Party Poker bonus code and to get our exclusive list of the top online poker rooms, visit http://www.poker-reviews-online.com/ today.

Playing More Than One Table Simultaneously

Rob — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:16:55 +0000

Taking into account that we shall play not more than 30% of deals on average, and even out of those in 50% of cases you will fold on the flop, not really much time is left for an active game. Surely, a good player will never consider free time wasted, he will gave it to watching his opponents, defining their style of playing a game, their advantages and vulnerabilities. All that is undoubtedly important in playing offline or at a high-limit game where even slightest detail is essential to a winning playing.

However, when playing a low-limit game, the level of opponents frequently is quite low to play artlessly and quite winningly. Furthermore, special programs may help player to get some information about opponents online, so that less time may be occupied by personal analysis. Consequently, if you are armed with relevant software assistants (read below) and play better than most of your opponents, you may try to play more that one table simultaneously.

Absolute majority of poker rooms allow opening several poker tables, but even if that prohibited, you may open several poker rooms. You may move between tables opened on a screen without overlapping.

It is understood that you should play on two tables if you are sure that you can win on one of the table paying less attention to it. If you can on two tables, you may add one more and so on. Sometimes on gambling forums you would meet most desperate gamblers who are able “to serve” up to eight tables. For sure it is too many. When you move to a large number of tables, you should expect some degradation of results because of lower concentration. Nevertheless, if on one table you win four bets, on two tables you will three bets per table and the total win will increase one and a half, so the game is worth the candle.

If you remember, disconnects in online casino are not dangerous as your bet is stored and you will be able to play it later. In poker room you are unable to play a deal later as you are not playing along. Therefore, there is created insider disconnect protection in online poker rooms. First of all, in the event of disconnect, the player, as a rule, is given some additional time to act. If disconnect during such period is not renewed, it is considered as the player goes all-in with the chips put into the pot by him. In this case the pot is divided in two parts: main pot is a pot that includes all chips put before disconnect (and before one player involuntary went all-in). The second part of the pot is a side pot that includes the chips put by other players upon equalising all-in bet. If a player with disconnect has the best combination, he receives the main pot, and the side pot goes to a player with the second best hand. Otherwise, the player with the best combination takes both pots.

Unfortunately, some players can pretend disconnects in dangerous for them situations trying to protect their investments into the pot. Most often such situation happens in no-limit poker. For example, you have the highest set on the flop, you raise the bets actively and have also the best combination on the turn, the pot is very high, but suddenly for the river you have the third or fourth community card, and your opponent goes all-in. The pot is huge and you must respond not less. What should you do? You do not want to risk large amount of money in order to check if your opponent has gathered a straight, however, it distresses you to give the hardly built pot. There is another way – to disconnect. In such a case you do not need to respond to the opponent’s bet and if your combination is better, you will get the whole all-in. It is understood that such actions are unethical at least, and they are prohibited in all poker rooms. That is why the number of all-ins in disconnects is limited (usually from one a day to several a week). Players with often disconnects are being checked, and their actions become suspicious, such players may be deprived of disconnect protection at all. As the benefit of false disconnects in limit poker is much smaller, many poker rooms provide protection only on the limit or add special tables without protection on the no-limit and pot-limit. There is no disconnect protection in tournaments at all.

About the Author

Arthur Prudent is the developer of www.bonus-map.com , web site covering gambling news, features reviews on Casinos, Poker rooms, bingos, Sports Betting bonuses promotions and more. Online Poker . Playing poker more than one table simultaneously.

Poker Psychology – Become A Profitable Player

Rob — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:11:43 +0000

Poker is one of the most popular card games in existence today and is played under different variations all over the globe. However, the one thing common to all types of poker varieties is mind games and most often the one who rakes in the pot is the strongest psychological player at the table. The ability to keep a “poker face” while reading the clues and giveaways in the faces of other players can put a poker player at a serious advantage. So what are the mind games in poker and what is the best psychological approach to becoming a winner in the game of poker.

Stay calm after a loss

It is inevitable to experience losses when playing poker. Unfortunately when some players lose, the immediate reaction is that they become extremely unsettled and then concentrate solely on getting a win and have a tendency to make reckless moves and also reveal a little too much to their opponents in their facial expressions. In good poker psychology, therefore, it is important to develop patience and to keep neutral about the loss until the game is over.

Emotions out

Poker psychology requires a calm and focused demeanor and emotions should have no place in a poker game. Save all your emotions like pride, shame, frustration, irritation, anger and so on for after the game, at the end of which you are free to express the entire gamut of emotions. Some players use their emotions like anger to push them through the game. Anger can be an excellent motivator but it is also the quickest way to destroying any edge you might have cultivated for the game and can spoil your ability to make smart decisions. Be determined, focused, patient and alert. Don’t have extremely high expectations for the game, but at the same time play to win and do nothing less than your best.

Reading Tells

A great poker psychology tip is to study your opponents but don’t lose focus of your game. This will take time and is an art that is learnt with repeated paying and interaction with other players.
Be careful with some players who may deliberately fake a tell such as a twitch or tremble to manipulate you. However what is more important than knowing others is to know yourself. Be aware of your own tell tale signs and bodily reactions and try to exhibit none of them.

Classify your opponents

Master the art of being the classic poker face and of playing smart. Meanwhile try your best to segregate your opponents into ‘loose or tight’ players. Loose players have a tendency to bet heavily or stay long in the game despite a bad hand in the hopes of a long shot draw. Tight players on the other hand fold at every twist.

Poker is not a mere game of chance or luck; it is a game of strategy and psychology. Poker psychology involves anticipating the moves of other players, planning one’s own approach to the game, staying cool under pressure and being able to unsettle other players by reading them but not giving away any inclination of your own strategy.

About the Author

If you want to be a profitable poker player, you have to learn poker psychology. The basic rules are very simple. But only professional player can use them to win. Read all poker articles you find at http://www.onlinepokercult.com

Poker Strategy Tip – How To Advertise

Rob — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:05:50 +0000

You can use many methods to keep others from telling your moves. Let just think of trying for free cards bluffing, check then raising, semi-bluffing, and slow –play are some of them. Still this is not all because there is a more different and sophisticated way. This type of play is called an advertising play. It basically means that you will play badly, crazy and do all the wrong moves when you are sure everyone can see that. By doing this you will lose hands for nothing and mess with the other players heads, misleading them, but after a while you can play good poker and win big from those exact players. Advertising plays must be done only with persons you are sure you will play again so you can benefit from them. There is no point in advertising a play on a table where you won’t stay and with players that won’t see you again.

There are certain types of hands you should consider advertising first, they have priority because they are easy to advertise and most importantly they will get you a believable play overall. When you engage yourself into an advertising play you must not do it with whatever hand you might have.

Choose carefully the hands that you will advertise so that it looks real and you still stand a decent chance on winning the pot. Advertising plays like 3-9 in the first position are just bad moves and won’t help you create that image you are going for. They will just make you lose and show you don’t know how to play poker, and that is not your purpose here. The best way to advertise your play is to play little connectors like 7-8 suited, 5-6 suited and Ace with another card suited or small pairs. Play these hands very aggressively when you get them and want to advertise your play but make sure it gets noticed otherwise it will all be in vain.

For example let’s say you have a hand of 7-8 suited. You are in first position, so normally you would just drop this hand. When you intend to advertise, you will have to bet with this hand, raise and re-raise until you work your way up to the river. Or if you are last, you will re-raise the bets that have been made so far and continue with the aggressive streak of moves from there on. Occasionally you might get caught with your reckless bluffs on the river. You have to be absolutely positive that everyone at the table sees your hand so they can all realize with wonder how badly you played such a hand.

Still, on rare occasions you might get lucky and win the pot. In this case don’t show the hand, it is better this way. The bright side is that you won money you wouldn’t have normally played for and you can begin the advertising “campaign” right after that with the new unexpected funds sitted right beside you.

So, a little advertising and then back to normal so you can play them. Once they saw your way of playing they will make bets and calls on you because they still think you are playing crazy. This is the advantage you now hold on your opponents and this way you will get them bet lots of money on mediocre hands, thinking they are doing the right thing and you are again holding a bad hand.

About the Author

Read up on your favorite pro poker players like Daniel Negreanu and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson at http://www.poker-player-profiles.com/ today.

Poker Strategy Tip – Semi-Bluffing

Rob — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:55:51 +0000

What is semi-bluffing? Generally, you are semi-bluffing when the cards dealt previously to you are not so great, but the odds are that they can really improve. If you are playing against palyers that have nothing, it should function just as if you were bluffing. But if your opponents have something, then semi-bluffing is a latent, hidden form of attack.

Semi-bluffing should be used throuthfully as it is a powerfull tool. If the cards will come to you then it will lead to a great hand. But if they don’t, semi-bluffing can make you lose lots of money, so use it usely.

In texas hold’em semi-bluffing is preferred to bluffing because players usually can tell when you are bluffing. You must use it against lots of players rather than against just a few, the odds are in your favor this way. Also, semi-bluff when you are in late position, maybe on the flop and always against poor, unexperienced players.

Let’s look at an actual stiation that will be commented upon for a better understanding.

Situation: You have a Ace of hearts and a Ten of hearts.

There are six players and in the pre-flop each of them betted twice. When the flop is dealt, you can see the following cards: Jack of hearts, Queen of Diamond, Eight of hearts.

You are positioned in the middle so you want to try semi-bluffing. You have great chances accually. If any heart card or any king appears you will have a hand. So, you are confronted now with multiple draws. You have to think what would be best in this situation. If you get a heart then you should have a flush, but then again if a king arises you will have a straight. The King of hearts is probably in some one’s hand so don’t think about that. If the queen of heart might appear it can be dangerous, because it could also be used for someone’s full house. So, best solution is to get the King, probably a non-hearts King.

Because either a flush or a straight can makyour hand the winning one, then we must think that you have twelve outs, with the king of hearts that we decided is already dealt probably but counting this card only once even though it fits both categories. Calculating the odds, you stand a chance of 25% to get the card you need. So, you can raise or check here. If let’s say you miss this one, there is a good chance if the players are folding that you still win and you can continue betting.

About the Author

Read free poker tournament news, professional poker players bios, and poker on tv – http://www.poker-player-profiles.com