Getting your Game on with Texas Holdem
So you're about to play Texas Holdem but you want to know how you should handle your starting hand? Here are a few questions to keep in mind next time you sit at the table to play. First of all, ask yourself whether the game is a loose game or whether it's a tight one. If you find yourself in a loose game your odds are very favorable but you still don't want to go crazy so you shouldn't bet more than 30% of your starting hand.
If you find that the game is tight, getting out of the game if possible is recommended, if not, don't bet high. A maximum of 15/20% of your starting hand should be bet, no more. Second of all, you should be well aware of the number of players in the game. Are there a lot of people or are there fewer than six? A fewer number of players may mean better payouts on bigger cards but a smaller pot which may not be so nice.
Third of all, has the pot been raised and by whom? Only one raise can mean danger, many raises can mean correct odds for the game. Fourth and last of all, positions. Where are you in relation to the positions at the table? This makes a big difference in this game. Early positions have to be much more strict with their starting hand where as later positions can take more chances and increase odds.