How to win – play fewer poker hands

Did you know that the fewer poker hands you play, the more poker hands you win?  This is one of the most important parts of poker strategy, and something that bears repeating.

Players who play fewer hands tend to, over a long period of time, end up winning a higher percentage of their hands.  And, because they are spending less on bad hands, they last for longer, and get to stay in the game for the chance to see more winning hands.

You’re probably familiar with the terms “tight” and “loose”.  If you’ve wondered why tight-aggressive players are so successful, well now you know.  Tight players only play hands that they are sure they can win, and because of this they can afford to raise and bet when they’re playing those hands, so they take bigger pots, and on the few occasions they do lose, their stack is big enough to cope with it.

Next time you’re playing, tell yourself to be more selective.  If your starting hand isn’t an incredibly good one, and it’s going to cost you to see the flop, fold.   If you have one of the best starting hands, raise.  Don’t call and let your opponent see the flop easily, put enough pressure on them that they’ll fold.  You should find you win many more hands if you do this.

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