Taking Your Poker Game to a Higher Level

While there are countless ways to play Poker, a majority of the players just stick with a few strategies. This can work against you, because the risk of becoming predictable will increase, especially if you play in the same limits.

To bring your game to the next level, you need to take some chances and use other Poker strategies. After all, that's what the game is all about, taking into account the best risk vs. reward ratio and going for it if the odds are right. So here are some tactics you might want to consider.

The first is to incorporate small pocket pairs in your Poker strategy. By small pairs we mean 44s and below. By doing so you stand a good chance of flopping a set that no one will be able to see: rarely will anyone suspect a 473 board just helped you make a hand.

The opposite Poker strategy should be used when it comes to connectors or suited connectors though. A lot of players like to play with them, even if they are low, but you should muck those lower than 67. While getting that straight or flush would be nice, the odds are not as good as catching a set. Also, with a low connector, the odds are your opponent might end up getting a superior one to your own.

There is nothing worse than betting big (or going all in) in Poker because you hold a 9 high straight only to see your opponent turn up a J high.

Another way to improve your game is by playing drawing hands strong early on. This Poker strategy should work particularly well when competing against tight players, or if the blinds have gone up in tournament play. Strong drawing hands would usually be an Ace paired with any hand, or suited connectors. You can even three bet with these hands.

When using this Poker strategy with connectors, drawing hands or pairs, remember the following: if you win, do not show your hands. Some can't help showing it off, thinking they have outsmarted their opponents, but it is better not to, so they will keep guessing. If you lose, turn it up, so they'll remember you as the one who plays loose. This will benefit you in the long run, especially when you get premium hands.

These Poker strategies are not the ones you will often find players using, but that doesn't mean they won't work. To be a successful competitor, you need to distinguish yourself from the rest of the field, and you can do that by thinking out of the box, and second, being flexible. Practice these two elements and you will save yourself a lot of hard work, and win bigger pots.