The document provides an overview of basic poker strategy, including:
- Tight aggressive style is most desirable but flexibility is needed based on the table.
- Position matters - later positions have more information.
- Calling is generally passive, while betting and raising is aggressive.
- Players should only chase draws if the pot odds justify the risk based on their outs and the chance of improving their hand.
- Bluffing should be limited and only when in position and the pot is large enough to justify the risk.
24. Pot Odds Once you have calculated your outs, you now have to determine whether you are getting the correct financial return for the risk
25. Calculating your odds The rule of Two and Four (an easy cheat that skips the complicated math)
26. Rule of Four (after the Flop) After the flop with two cards to come… Outs x 4 = percentage chance Example After the flop you have a flush draw and an open ended straight draw Outs = 9 cards for the flush and eight cards for the straight 17 x 4 = 68% You are better than 2 to 1 favourite to win
27. Rule of two (after the turn) After the turn with one card to come… Outs x 2 = percentage chance Example After the turn you still have a flush draw and an open ended straight draw, but now your chances are halved Outs = 9 cards for the flush and eight cards for the straight 17 x 2 = 34% Now you only have a 2 to 1 shot of winning
28. Calculating pot odds The higher the risk, the better the return should be for the increased exposure to risk
29. Calculating the risk vs return If you have 4 outs after the flop (rule of four) 4 x 4 =16% Your chances of winning is 1 in 6 or 5 -1 If you are going to call a bet you would need a pot that offers you a rate of return commensurate with the risk. Pot size = 50 chips + bet of 10 chips Total pot = 60 You would be getting the correct return to take the risk 10 chips to possibly win 60 (6-1 you need 5-1) However if the bet in the above example was twenty chips you would not be priced in to call
30. Money not lost buys as much… as money won Do not chase straights and draws unless you are getting the correct pot odds. Or put another way. Chasing is risky so always ensure the reward is equal or better than the risk
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33. Expect to play many, many hands before you become a great player "How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?" "All your life, son." ~Michael Pertwee