Crafting a Solid Poker Pre Flop Betting Strategy

Before you start betting like a crazy person when you get two 8s in the pocket, you need to carefully consider all factors involved in a solid poker pre flop betting strategy. These factors include the number of players, how aggressive or passive the participants at the table are, your bankroll, your position, and how much risk you're willing to entail. These are all important considerations to take when perfecting your Texas Hold'Em strategy. With ten people in the game, it's much more probable that someone else has strong cards in the pocket. You'll need to be more cautious in larger games because the chance of someone being able to ride the flop to victory will be better. More competition means stiffer competition. Also, notice how people are playing. If someone is raising before the turn each and every time, you'll want to play tighter. Let the guy win the blinds and then nail him to the wall when you have a solid cards in the pocket.

Bankroll and Position

When crafting a good poker pre flop betting strategy, consider your bankroll. If you have less than $5 left, you will want to play very carefully and select just one hand to bet on, hoping to get as many players involved in the pot as possible. You'll want to be all in before the flop. On the flip-side, if you have $1,000 at a $1/$2 table, you can take all the high-risk, high-payout bets that you want. Also, people in late position have the ability to influence the size of the pot much more than those in the early position. People who shoot for large pots but don't mind the greater chance of losing will want to raise pre flop, especially if they are in the late position. Some people prefer to be as selective as possible, grinding out a winning hand here or there. It really depends on your play style and how you perceive the people around you.

Your Hand

Naturally, when making a solid poker pre flop betting strategy, you'll want to consider the cards in your hand. A pair of Aces in the hole is the best to start with. It also helps if your cards are suited or in sequential rank like a 7 and an 8 ("connected," for a better chance at a straight). It's important to know how they hold up against other possible combinations.