You must have heard of the KISS concept but have you ever thought about how to apply it in complex poker games? In this free poker online lesson you'll learn how. Traditionally it means "Keep It Simple Stupid" meaning don't be stupid by being overcomplicated as then you make stupid mistakes, but in poker there are, I believe, 2 further and very relevant interpretations.
The first alternative, one that is very relevant for free poker games players, is Keep It Simple against Stupid Players, ok we add the "against" but it works! Secondly, Keep It Simple and Straightforward if you're up against not so stupid players!
At free online poker sites like NoPayPOKER you will find the good, bad and stupid, though maybe a few more of the latter 2 than at say a $1000 buy in table in Monaco!
For example, with A-10 in hand would you have the courage to play against a clearly good player with the flop showing A-8-3? No problem if it's a free poker game but what if it's a really big game with a lot of money on the table?
Your options are to simply call again and again or you might bet and pray he does not play strong. Why? Because if he's a strong player, you can put him on A-K, or an Ace with a stronger kicker. If he moves all-in, you know what to do. Scamper, and wait until you have the A-K, or maybe a Set.
Here you are set to thinking. Does he really have A-K? Or is is only J-J that he's daring enough to take to the showdown but won't call a large raise with? Or maybe 8-7, because he believes my bet on the Flop is just a continuation bet and he calls?
But against five or six weak players, you may have to ask the same questions five to six times. Has he really got ?-? (for Player one). Has he really got ?-? (for Player 2)?Or just ?-? (for Player 3)?and so on, until your mind is now drained, and you are finally knocked out with someone holding an A-8.
Let us look at another situation now, with a Board of 5-6-J-Q-8.
You have K-Q. A strong player probably has A-Q or K-K, or J-10, or something special, like 7-4 (usually suited). You might as well fold your K-Q at the end, or just call a small bet at the river. But at least you can put your strong opponent into a hand or into a few hands.
But with 5 or 6 poorer players you must be careful. They may have the hands above, but because they're weak, there will be more add-ons, like 8-5, J-5, Q-8, or even Q-5, all of which will add to the possibility of your K-Q being beaten.
In such a case why not call a small bet at the river (because with many callers you are getting good pot odds to make the call). Then if one of them goes all-in, it's a strong signal. Fold that K-Q. What hand might they be moving all-in with? If the player's strong, you may have a clue. But with weaker or stupid players you just can't tell at all.
Why go to war if you don't know what you are trying to beat?
A strong player is willing to play more stronger hands than weaker ones. He is willing to play A-K more often than A-8 in his life, although frequency of play is no clue to how he plays specific hands. He remains unpredictable. But you will expect him to fold A-8 more often than A-K.
But weak players don't know what hands they are playing. They will play J-5 as readily as A-K. So, when playing with them, because you can't put them into a hand because they don't even know theirs, just show them a good enough hand. A Two-Pair or higher, more desirably. In the A-10 example above, you'll be happy with 3-3. In the second, I wish you have the 7-4 or the 10-9 before you act rashly.
And, unless you are just messing about in a free online poker don't attempt any fancy manoeuvres like all-in bluffs.
In the 5-6-J-Q-8 Board, don't move all-in with A-K. Even with just two weak opponents, they will just readily call you with K-Q as much as with 6-4, J-9, or even 3-3. They don't know the difference between them.
If they have something, they will be willing to take it along to death. So make your something stronger than their something, and take it to their death instead. No bluffs. No calling of suspected bluffs.
So remember to KISS! Keep it Simple or Straightforward against good players and Keep it Simple against Stupid Players!
And what better place to play poker online for free than at http://www.NoPayPOKER.com where you don't have the fear of losing money like you do at on money sites or live tables yet you can still win real cash.
Plus the NoPayPOKER blog contains a huge pro written free poker games training series, with lessons from basic how to play poker for beginners courses to masters level. Complete the intermediate level course at least and you will find yourself in the top 10% of online poker players worldwide.
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