Texas Holdem is a game that y ou can learn in a few minutes of play. It can take a life time to master the game. Do not expect to sit down at the table and count on your luck to make a killing. Luck, a lot of the time, does not have a damn thing to do with who walks away with the cash.
Playing on line can sort of distort the picture for you. For one thing it makes position on the table to seem to be more of a minor thing than it really is. The play moves way to fast at times and they give you buttons to click so that you can automatically call or raise a bet. It is of course to their advantage to move the game along as fast as they can. They make their money on the pot rake. Notice when you play on line that the dealer has a slot next to his right hand. The money that accumulates there is the pot rake. Of course, in a play money game it does not cost you anything to play. In a game played for real money it is a factor and should be taken into account. The fewer hands that you play. The less you pay.
It is very important in on line play to take into consideration your position on the table. In late position you already have lots of information about the hands of the people who had to act before you do. If everyone has called the blind up to you and you have a playable hand, especially if you have an Ace, it might be a good idea to raise. If you have been paying attention to the play you should already know if the Big Blind will defend it, no matter what he has in the pocket. Or, if he will fold. You might, just maybe have the winning hand. If you do not have a powerhouse then it is to your advantage to raise the other players out of the game. Don't let them limp in to beat you on the River.
I heard one of the old poker masters on one of the Holdem TV shows talk about how no one gives any respect to the guy sitting behind the Big Blind. If he raises. Pay attention. He already has more money in the pot than anyone else.
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