In this free online poker article on the top poker books we’re taking a slight diversion and are reviewing a video based poker coaching lesson course that is backed up by reading course material.

The best poker books are truly excellent but video can be better in some ways as you can see and hear what is going on which, in a game like poker can be invaluable especially if the concepts are proving hard to visualise from static words and pictures.

So here we go with what we think is one of the very best poker training courses out there right now that all standards of player from poker beginner upwards can benefit from the most.

Title - Learn the Secrets to Texas Hold’em From Top Poker Pro Jonathan Little!
> Publisher/presenter - Jonathan Little
> This edition released - 2010
> Structure - 41 minute free online poker instruction video taster video. If purchased, ($77) six hours of poker tournament instruction video, reference sheets and instructions.

Get the free 41 minute over at NoPayPOKER, see the free online poker instruction video there

After researching the subject of the top poker books and training courses and lessons we have decided that the poker training video series by tournament pro Jonathan Little is one of the finest. In regard to his ability the figures speak, Jonathan has won $4 million+ in poker tournaments in just a few years which is a pretty fine skill indicator, though that doesn’t mean he can coach you, or does it?

It appears that evidently not just can he play, but he is able to also coach as this online video series is the number 1 selling poker education product we know of.

Lessons include:

Ideal for novices -
* How come low stakes poker is really so profitable.
* The fundamentals of no limit Texas holdem to help you get over the beginners disorientation over how poker is played..
* Basic blunders most newcomers make you will be in a position to steer clear of.
* The way Jonathan got started in his poker profession.
* The one tweak that switched things around for Jonathan and took him from loser to big winner.
* The games you should play to begin developing your bankroll

Moving on to intermediate and above
* How to modify your game in accordance with your stack size plus your opponents stack sizes.
* How to determine how much equity you will have in any given pot
* How to play suited connectors.
* The right way to generate your bankroll online.
* What hands it is best to play and which hands it is best to stay away from.
* The proper quantity it is best to reraise.
* Recognizing when you should push all in and why.
* What you must never do at the poker table.

Tournament specific
* The state of mind you should utilize when playing lower stakes tournaments.
* How to play the start, the middle of, and ultimate stages of a tourney.
* The strategy you must adopt when playing SnG’s and MTTs.
* How to get the most value out of rebuy tournaments

Lessons feature a variety of games, such as 180-person turbo sit & go’s and heads-up games.

If you work to make use of what you learn these videos will help you to learn to feel and play as a professional poker player.

Positives -
* Complimentary taster online video that does actually have a great number of free online poker coaching tips inside it. Get it here
* Covers all main subjects for starters and intermediate players.
* Perfect for free online poker players looking to make the move to low stakes money internet poker.
* Online video format - illustrates and tells, easier than reading a book.
* The coach is a tested success and fine coach
* Appears to know what problems most of us have and guides the lessons towards those particular areas.
* If you do not truly feel it was worthwhile they’ll refund you within 60 days. No questions asked.

Reasons against -
It is a large amount of material and that means you should be in a position to devote time and energy into watching it, taking notes, implementing etc. It certainly is not a magic bullet that will transform you straightaway, hardwork is essential!

So go and see this free online poker video but if it isn’t for you right now see the free online poker lessons on the NoPayPOKER.com blog at www.nopaypoker.com/articles

That free poker online is a pretty fair and, as far as it can go, honest game is something most people would agree on. Yes, there are colluder’s and cheats, sadly there are some real pathetic people out there but as far as the actual free poker site games themselves are concerned there is little suspicion of rigging.

The free poker sites themselves have no reason or motivation to fiddle players so you can be sure that when you play free poker online the deck is not rigged in the houses favor.

However, where real money changes hand is this still the case? Since the beginning of poker online there has been a heated debates as to whether online games are as fair as live play. In this article we’ll look at the evidence and, as you will find, come to some limited but definite conclusions that can help you feel safe in your choice of online poker site.

The Debate

Opinions vary greatly over just how fair online poker for cash is. Popular cheating accusations include the cash out curse where regular winners who withdraw a lot get hounded out by a string of against probability losses and pot juicing by poker sites who create straddle bets in order to whip up more action so make more rake. It’s also been said by some that counting to 10 before going all-in helps.

Virtually all pro live players will inform you that just the very lazy, stupid and cheats (the winners) seriously play poker online for money.

The fact is that online poker is having a hard time right now. The debacle of Black Friday in the US along with the downfall of Full Tilt and others with associated criminal charges have made things even worse for online money poker. For Full Tilt to fall so hard would have seemed almost impossible before and yet they did adding petrol to an already hot fire.

The Method

Typically runs of bad beats as well as good win runs are part of poker online and live. Many feel that the rigging accusations against online games are just poker variance and that the same happens in live games but as it is live there is no technology to blame for losses. Now though one group is trying to end the doubt.

Using statistical tests with millions of hands Online Poker Watchdog are now trying to establish if online poker really is fair or a fools game. Their claim is that as an independent statistical auditor they can truly prove or disprove the claims about rigging in poker online money games.

So far they have tested PartyPoker, PokerStars and OnGame. They used 2 solid tests on the 3 sites that are far reaching enough to determine if the sites are operated fairly.

The first test was to upload 1 million hands into the site database and compare results of actual hands won to what would be expected in live games. Secondly hands were split hands that were ahead and behind pre-flop and again compared results to what would be expected in pure live games.

The Results

At PokerStars the test was a million hands downloaded and 69,663 pre-flop all-ins coming from tourneys and Sit n Go games. The expectation in live games should be 35,748 winning hands. The test returned with 35,850 winners, giving a deviation of just +102. Anyone who is familiar with maths will confirm this is as near to normal as makes no difference. The Second test results comparing pre-flop all-ins ahead and behind also showed very near normal results.

PartyPoker assessments made use of 1.26 million hands that broke down 11,984 hands from $50NL full ring cash game tables. Live game expectancy predicts 6,267 winners. In the test they had 6,198.5 winners - a deviation of a meager -68. The pre-flop all-in testing also came in very close to normal.

The OnGame tests utilised a 1.42 million hand sample with 12,306 hands coming from $30NL short handed cash tables. The live game expectation is 6,457 wins. The online site tests returned with 6,454.5 winners, an infinitesimal deviation of -2.5. The pre-flop all-in comparisons not surprisingly were very near normal.

The Decision

These results are exact to put it mildly. The 3 websites involved in the checks demonstrate no signs of rigging or cheating. A lot of internet players haven’t ever truly thought that games online are rigged (exactly why might they play otherwise!) our hope is that this material tells doubters the fact that the water is safe, at least at these 3 respected online poker websites.

While on line pokers legal standing may be cloudy at this time it’s good to find out that these websites are playing fair, very good news for those who play now and for those in the US who’ll, in every likelihood be able to play once more once the US government works out how to get tax from internet poker for money games!

If you’re not yet ready to play poker online for money or if you’d prefer to just play some free fun online practice poker versus real people and, or get free online poker instruction then go to NoPayPOKER.com.

All the poker there is totally free of risk of losing money due to the fact that you literally cannot deposit any, though, by clever use of advertising you can actually win some real cash! Nopay is also legal for US based players.

You may well be familiar with the beginner to expert level free online poker games coaching to be had at NoPayPOKER.

If not go and check out the free online poker training education main page.

The NoPayPOKER lessons form a great free poker library that will be added to all the time but of course it cannot cover all poker knowledge!

So to expand we have researched what we think are the very best books on poker.

The poker books reviewed have been aggressively filtered and only top rated poker books have made the cut.

The framework is always to give the basic information on the poker book, a summary of the subject matter with a brief summary of critiques we’ve uncovered on the pros and cons of the books.

Title - Sit ‘n Go Strategy
* Author(s) - Colin Moshman
* This version released - July 2007
* Pages - 281

Outline -
Many good reviews on this one, in addition there is relatively very little of quality written on SnGs, so this is a very good book/bible for SnG’ers.

Positive review comments -
* A solid and detailed manual on playing effective low to medium buy-in, 1 table games. Sit and Go game strategy split into easy to follow low, medium and high blind play sections.
* Shows a very tight aggressive form of play, while he acknowledges, that other playing types may also be successful, if the players are good at post flop play
* A thorough examination of table situations, personal player types, stack and blind sizes, payouts, chip values, and how they effect ideal strategy is provided.
* May perhaps be as valuable for the SNG player as Harringtons No Limit Series is to MTT players.
* Reading it I fully understood the idea of equity (also the term generally) so much better than before.
* I completed it in 2 days and right away put $250 into my PokerStars balance.
* I really like how the book is aimed in direction of online SNG play. You will find lots of players just doing Sit N Go’s just for amusement, and Moshman goes into depth on exploiting such bad players.

Negatives -
* Not really for totally new players

Title - How to Win at Online Texas Hold ‘Em: Insider Tips, Strategies, and Advice to Help You Master the Game of Online Poker
* Author(s) - Jack Parker
* This edition released - February 2010
* Pages - 78

Outline -
Just the thing for novices. Every tiny bit of this book is rich with the latest poker information about how to rule the internet poker tables. Inside, you’ll discover for instance:

- The correct way to figure out pot odds and outs.
- When you ought to blind steal.
- When and ways to effectively utilize the squeezing approach.
- How you can modify your speed of play when playing with skilled players.
- The best way to properly use check boxes/auto plays.
- Tips on how to keep tabs on your opponents fold & flop proportions.
- Ways to use the chat box to your advantage.

Pros -
* I found the info to the point and practical
* particularly took advantage of the part on bluffing and also the one on playing in online sit-and-go’s.
* I took an absolute beating in an internet poker site a couple of weeks ago and made up my mind I had better find out a few things before I went back. So - did it help? I took in over $400 yesterday evening online.
* for a person just like me who has not read a lot and is aiming to start strengthening their game by learning, I believe it is a truly helpful little book, and in my opinion feel like it has undoubtedly paid for itself based on the amount of cash I’ve earned thus far in my first forays into online games.

Downsides -
Mainly for beginners or those switching from live to online for the very first time. Beyond this or for those really into the math side you’ll find it too modest.

So ends our best poker strategy books review, keep your eyes peeled for more soon, no, they are not free but at the same time do not cost mush and will pay for themselves quick if you are willing to apply the lessons therein.

We hope you already know about all the free online poker training to be had at NoPayPOKER that covers all levels from beginner to advanced as well as playing live room games.

If you have not checked those free poker online training lessons out yet see the education master page and look now, check them out, there is loads for all there.

The NoPay lesson series is a super library of poker skills yet we know that you may want even more or stuff specific to different situations.

So to that end we’re starting a series of posts highlighting some of the top poker books we know about.

The poker books reviewed has been filtered from the huge heaving mass that has resulted from the poker boom of the last 2 decades so that only the top poker books make it to the list.

In this post we begin by looking at the most obvious sub-topic of interest, namely online poker specific books. This is a difficult subject area, there is less published that you’d imagine and a lot of it has bad reviews plus, of course, online poker is a fast changing subject meaning that some good review but older books are now outdated. Due to this it is a short list and only 5 or 6 will be posted up, today to minimize overload we begin with 2.

The framework is always to provide the basic information on the book, a outline of the content and then summarised critiques we’ve located on both the positives and negatives of the book.

To purchase one of these books check out the NoPay best poker books to read page.

Following that you may also go play some free online poker just for fun against real people with no risk of losing your cash, the perfect spot to practice everything you read before taking a chance on real cash.

Title - Harrington on Online Cash Games; 6-Max No-Limit Hold ‘em
* Author(s) - Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie
* This edition published - June 2010
* Pages - 530

Summation -
Dan Harrington tells you the real key concepts and expertise that can allow you to become an expert at online poker. Internet poker is a world, as any of you who also play live games know, which differs in some crucial ways from the realm of casino games.

Subject areas covered include:
* How to handle sizes of stack.
* Playing at six max tables.
* Dealing with high aggression.
* And, as opposed to most poker online books, the way you use poker databases and heads up displays (HUDs) to get in depth and useable information on how the other players play.

Plus, there are detailed strategies for micro and small stakes preflop and post-flop play.

We really rate this book for all poker online players who play money games online but do not win as much as they’re like (most of us in other words!) In addition it is ideal for free online poker players planning to step up to micro and small stakes real money play and live card room players who have not played online before.

If you are brand new to poker or just starting out then we do urge you to start off on a free online poker site first to learn game basics before risking real cash. Yes, you can get the book and read it as you learn to play just don’t risk your real money yet please!

Positive review comments -
* Don’t Purchase this guide - I don’t need you getting any better! I strongly recommend this book to any online player who isn’t my competitor.
* Particularly describes numerous helpful statistics that may be employed to exploit patterns in your oppositions pre and postflop behaviors.
* Some really good suggestions on note-taking.
* He gives you the know how to analyze your oppositions play and manipulate them if they are poor, or if they are good.
* I was blown away by this book. All of his books are good, but this particular one really gets into details concerning the different types of games and situations you will come across.
* It’s a good book and a need for every online player. You can use the know how in the book for full ring game too. Excellent book.

Cons -
Nothing significant seen apart from one insane naysayer sort who’d likely say night was day just to be different.

Title - The Full Tilt Poker Strategy Guide: Tournament Edition
* Author(s) - Andy Bloch, Richard Brodie, Chris Ferguson and Ted Forrest
* This edition published - June 2007
* Pages - 448

Summation -
Full Tilt may be Rip now however the guidance from their team professionals who collaborated to write this book remains great for a lot of poker online players.

Pros -
* I was worried that this would be a fast buck job aiming to cash in on the popularity of internet poker and that the writers would push out basic low value material. Not so I’m happy to report. There is material in this that is superb.
* Ferguson’s section is sort of a small coaching class with him.
* This will turn into a “must have” book for poker tournament players.
* I hate to have to recommend this. It simply provides too many trade secrets.
* Newbies and players who’ve played for less than a few years might play ten more years and never absorb this much understanding.

Cons -
* Split up into several sections with each different from the last and written by a different player. As such it’s kind of here and there.
* Some say it is little use for internet as poker online is all rigged…

So this ends the first top poker books review article, keep an eye out for the next which will have more online poker specific resources that, while not free have been proven to pay for themselves by those who are willing to read, learn and apply what they learn.

And if these are not for you then get over to our free poker skills sections and at least read or re-read one of our free online poker lessons.

In this free poker online games training lesson I’m looking at the difference between aggressive and passive and asking if one style is better than the other. To support the discussion I am reconstructing a real life hand sequence from a professional poker game that illustrates the points involved and hopefully will get you thinking about how you approach various situations when you play.

The basis
An aggressive player, traditionally, bets and raises. In turn the passive player will call raises and bets. To be passive, which is essentially to be cautious, can be a good way to play in major tournaments such as the WSOP where, for example, a J-10 in a flop of 10-8-4 is decent enough for playing with middle of the road care. You’d play such a hand possibly by check-calling or placing only small bets with an aim of value-betting at the end if the table if it looks safe enough. But being too passive, as in this example, can lead to destruction.

The Blinds - 3000/6000

The Preflop:

A has As-Ah raise to 16k
B with Ks-Qs calls 16k - the pot is 50k

Because B has position over A (and because his K-Q is suited) B can afford a call. In the meantime A plays his pocket A’s like any other raising the hand in middle position to confuse B. If A just called his Aces, B might think it is really A-A and will just call or fold later if A shows signs of strength.

The Flop: 7s-2d-Qh

A now bets 23k
B calls 23k (Pot 96k)

A is betting his Aces based chiefly on its value (and not so much on his perceived value of B’s hand). With three undercards falling (and the likely possibility of the Queen pairing someone, especially a caller from late position) his Aces are secure, provided that no face card falls later, because it may pair the kicker of the one holding a Queen. B too thinks his Queens hold value though he knows not enough should a King or Ace fall - an option now is to put A on a bluff with Ax or Kx, so he just calls.

The Turn: 7s-2d-Qh-8d

Now A bets with 55k
B calls 55k (Pot 206k)

A stays with his Flop actions and thoughts. B also thinks likewise. As there are no draws on the Flop (both may think a backdoor Flush unlikely) and his Aces still all undercarded A keeps on hammering B aggressively and B stays hammered in passive mode.

The River: 7s-2d-Qh-8d-blank

A bets 121k (Pot 372k)
This bet is enough to put B all-in. As all the cards are undercards to A’s Aces and all the other table cards are undercards to B’s Queens, A figures B must have a Queen that he might go to the death with. So A does not slow down as most players do (even with Aces most players think that it is still just one pair, so they may check only, or if they feel their Aces are good, then they may try to check-raise) and instead pushes B all-in.

B still thinks his Queens are strong enough which is why he has come as far as the river. Then he plays the textbook maneuver. Is he up against A-Q he thinks? Unlikely he thinks so…

B moves all in on 121k

A aggressively hammered at B all the way from preflop to the post river all in death and B just kept accepting the hammering. At no time did A allow B a chance to play gracefully. B played passive in response to the aggression and called all the way to his all in destruction.

It could be that B sensed As unusual strength since he just called all the time. But if so he should have trusted his senses once the river was reached and bowed out. The bets at Flop and Turn bets might offer cheap call spots and even if he thinks he is beaten then he can still draw, but by the river stage bet is not cheap and is enough to finish him off.

So, yes aren’t there a lot of things to think about in this hand, and of course the same it true for most poker hands. One point to be clear on is that there isn’t a right and wrong way, you should not play aggressive or passive all the time, in order to be great at poker you have to be able to play both ways and all the ways in between and adapt as you go along.

Ok that is easier to say than do I accept, so the next advice is that practice perfects the art. As ideal way to practice what this free poker experience article preaches is to play free poker practice games on sites like NoPayPOKER.com where you can hone your skills with no risk of money loss before going for it on money sites or in face to face play.

This poker free online games coaching article is about how to apply the concept of value betting, to illustrate it I’m using a real life pro game as a hand example. Note what the winner did and try to understand why and start to work value bets into your game .

This free poker coaching article is for intermediate and above players. If you’re not sure on the terms and concepts bookmark it and come back later after taking some beginner steps and practicing on free online poker games sites in order to get the concepts nailed.

On a table where there is, for example, a Straight, like 7-8-9-2-J, what might you do if you have 9 and 8? If your opponent checks, would you also check? Most of us may, because your opponent may have, say, A-10 and hung on the Turn only to try to trap on the river. But once you have determined that he is more likely not to have the Ten in this case than to have it, we can get some additional chips from him by value-betting. Here is an example of a similar hand:

This hand was shown on the Turn. (Pot approx. 250k)

Each player checked at the Flop

Both checked, possibly as they figured their hands to be too weak for a table showing Straight and Flush possibilities. One could be on a draw and the other might be unwilling to continue with only one Pair.

The Turn: 9d-6d-10s-9s

A has ??-??, checks
B has ??-??, bets 200k

Now perhaps B has a gutshot or Flush draw and wants no more problems with A. What actions can A make?

A raises to 600k
B calls 400k (Pot now 1.45m)

Now A’s check-raise may reinforce B’s belief that A has a made hand, like 9-x or a high Pair, but B may be on a draw, so B calls. Plus, as the pot is already big B can afford to call (400,000 in a 1.05m pot) should he have a Straight, Flush draw, even an overpair (which seems likely) or a Pair with a draw, even if he thinks A has a 9 (B might also possess the last 9 with a Flush draw).

The River: 9d-6d-10s-9s-8c

A bets 1m

Even on a dangerous Board with a Straight draw (but without any more Flush possibilities), A bets. However A cannot afford to push B all in on such a table but it does make a good value bet scenario. Why?

1. A bets because if B has a hand and if B bets, then A will be put on a decision. A doesn’t want that to happen. He has shown strength on the Turn when he check-raised; therefore he wishes to be consistent. His goal then is to force B to a decision point. He wants B to think if he has the Eight than give his opponent the opportunity of making him do the hard thinking.

2. In addition, A will bet as check calling is the same as placing a bet and then being called. Betting and being called, is a more aggressive option.

3. A is gunning to get extra value for his Triple 9’s. As long as he believes that B has a decent hand but not a strong one, he will bet to get chips from B, who has played passively from Flop up to now (checking after he checked on the Flop, betting small then calling a raise on the Turn). If B folds, he hasn’t a hand, and A wins the pot. If B calls and A’s estimate of his hand strength is right, then he will obtain more chips than he would if he checked and B just checked (which is what a passive player will do).

4. A you should know is a top class player. Possibly he is bluffing and does not want to telegraph it. So he disguises bluffing as value betting. He hopes that B will be fooled, especially in a Board in which a bluff may work well against marginal hands (paired Board and one off a Straight).

B calls with 1m

Now B calls. B hand might be strong enough for a showdown. A’s value bet gives him about 2.5-to-1 on a call (1m more to win a 2.45m pot) which B may consider to be sufficient enough for a pay-off with, say, A-10 or even a small Pair. So what hands are they holding?

A shows Jh and 9h

A rounded off the hand strengths of his and B’s hands correctly which gave him the confidence he needed for a value bet. In contrast a more passive player is generally going to check-fold or check-check.

B mucks

So what was B holding, and what could he have made? He may have K-K, Q-Q, or A-10, and just slowed down when he saw a Board conducive for a Straight and Flush development, as well as a Pair. B might have had a small Pair which he reckoned to be the best hand and figured to go for a pay off. Whatever it is, it is a made hand, and maybe he couldn’t help wondering what A was holding; who was this A? A is Phil Ivey. Maybe B assumed the check-raise on the Turn and the bet on the river were bluffs; it was just Phil Ivey playing aggressively and reading hands.

If you’re not already doing so get practising value betting and start applying the concepts of the pros illustrated in this free poker coaching article. And if you’re not already playing free poker practice games at NoPayPOKER get started today, it’s utterly free and risk free and is US player legal even by the latest 2011 definitions!

This free poker online coaching article is about how to apply the concept of value betting, to illustrate it I’m using a real life pro game as a hand example. Note what the winner did and try to understand why and start to work value bets into your game .

This free poker education lesson is medium experience level and above. If you’re not sure on the terms and concepts bookmark it and come back later after taking some beginner steps and practicing on poker free online games sites in order to get the concepts nailed.

In a board which is one off a Straight, such as 7-8-9-2-J, what will you do if you had the 9-8? If an opponent checks, will you check too? Most of us may, because your opponent may have, say, A-10 and hung on the Turn only to try to trap on the river. But once you have determined that he is more likely not to have the Ten in this case than to have it, we can get some additional chips from him by value-betting. Here is an example of a similar hand:

This hand was shown on the Turn. (Pot about 250k)

Both players checked on the Flop.

Both checked, possibly as they figured their hands to be too weak for a table showing Straight and Flush possibilities. One could be on a draw and the other might be unwilling to continue with only one Pair.

The Turn: 9d-6d-10s-9s

A has ??-??, checks
B has ??-??, bets 200k

Now maybe B has a gutshot or a Flush draw, so he wants no more trouble with A. What does A do?

A raises to 600k
B calls 400k (Pot now 1.45m)

A’s check raise might reinforce B’s thinking that A is holding a made hand such as 9x or a high pair, yet B might be on a draw so he calls. Plus, as the pot is already big B can afford to call (400,000 in a 1.05m pot) should he have a Straight, Flush draw, even an overpair (which seems likely) or a Pair with a draw, even if he thinks A has a 9 (B might also possess the last 9 with a Flush draw).

The River: 9d-6d-10s-9s-8c

A bets with 1m

So A bets even though it is a risky table with a Straight draw (though without any further Flush possibilities). However A cannot afford to push B all in on such a table but it does make a good value bet scenario. Here are the reasons:

1. A bets because if B has a hand and if B bets, then A will be put on a decision. Naturally A does not want that to occur. He has shown strength on the Turn when he check-raised; therefore he wishes to be consistent. His goal then is to force B to a decision point. His objective is to make B do the hard work and make him wonder if he has the 8.

2. Furthermore, A bets because check-calling has the same effect as betting and then getting called. Betting and being called, is a more aggressive option.

3. A is gunning to get extra value for his Triple 9’s. While he thinks B has an OK but not great hand he can bet and get chips from B, who has been playing passively since the flop up until now (checking after he checked at the Flop and then placing and small bet followed by the Turn where he called a raise). If B folds, he hasn’t a hand, and A wins the pot. If B calls and A’s estimate of his hand strength is right, then he will obtain more chips than he would if he checked and B just checked (which is what a passive player will do).

4. Now, let us add that A is a very strong player. Possibly he is bluffing and does not want to telegraph it. Therefore he dresses the bluff in the form of a value bet. He hopes that B will be fooled, especially in a Board in which a bluff may work well against marginal hands (paired Board and one off a Straight).

B calls 1m

Now B calls. B hand might be strong enough for a showdown. A’s value bet gives him about 2.5-to-1 on a call (1m more to win a 2.45m pot) which B may consider to be sufficient enough for a pay-off with, say, A-10 or even a small Pair. So what hands are they holding?

A reveals Jh-9h

A rounded off the hand strengths of his and B’s hands correctly which gave him the confidence he needed for a value bet. In contrast a more passive player is generally going to check-fold or check-check.

B mucks

So what could B have made with what he was holding? He may have K-K, Q-Q, or A-10, and just slowed down when he saw a Board conducive for a Straight and Flush development, as well as a Pair. B might have had a small Pair which he reckoned to be the best hand and figured to go for a pay off. Whatever it may be it’s a made hand and possible could not help wonder what A was holding - and who is A? A is Phil Ivey. Perhaps B figured the check-raise at the Turn and bet at the River was bluffing whereas in fact it was Phil playing aggressive and accurately reading hands.

So get practising your poker value betting and learn how to bet better in poker games by applying the ideas in this free poker coaching article. And if you’re not already playing free poker practice games at NoPayPOKER get started today, it’s utterly free and risk free and is US player legal even by the latest 2011 definitions!

In this free poker online training article we look at ways to use small bets for big success. So how can a series of small bets add up to a very sneaky play? And how do strong players sway from conventional thinking about small and large bets.

Here is a hand example that displays the point:

BLINDS 6k/12k

PREFLOP:

A is from small blind, has got 9d-4d, raises to 35k
B from big blind, has got As-3s, calls 23k (Pot 88k)

Both plays are simply standard plays. A might be attempting to steal the big blind with a raise after the small blind. B calls since he’s got a good hand for the upcoming Flop.

FLOP: Js-Jh-10h

A bets 25k (Pot 123k)
B calls 25k (Pot 138k)

The bet A makes is small as he has very little but he wants to take the pot by showing a J on a paired table, or a draw. On a flop with Straight and Flush possibilities presenting, B may, indeed, put A on a draw and just see if A slows down later. Also, on a call he is getting 5-to-1.

TURN: Js-Jh-10h-Kc

A bets 25k (Pot 163k)
B calls 25k (Pot 188k)

A places another bet! Might A possess the Jack or 10? Now, what B is thinking is that he is getting about 6.5-to-1 on a call to hit an Ace (where if A also has an Ace, they may split the pot) or a Queen (for a Straight). So he calls.

RIVER: Js-Jh-10h-Kc-8h

A bets 30k (Pot 218k)

Yet A bets again. Now with a blank river card which hardly fill any possible Flush or Straight (maybe 9-7 or Q-9, but I don’t think both of them think the other one has it) why did A fire three times! And not just that, they were small bets. It may be a value bet where A had a Jack and trapped B for two more rounds of betting.

It could alternatively be a value bet with A on A-Q. B might consider: “A might know I’ve got nothing, but if uses big bets he’ll make me fold. So he’s betting small to get more chips out of me. Sure I’ve got 8.5-1 on a call, but it doesn’t matter. I am not going to fail again B says and folds.

A shows a bluff!

If A bet big B may also think that A is just sustaining a three-round bluff, and may call it. Remember, B is a strong player, and can detect chicaneries like this. (B is Elky Grospellier! And A is Jeff Shulman.) But A was betting small and good players think good players think smaller bets are value bets, as a result good players indulging in reverse psychology are able to bluff other good players with small bets that resemble value bets.

Try your hand at small bet techniques by practicing your poker on a online poker free site like NoPayPOKER.com where you can do lot of riskless poker free online training.

This new free online poker planning lesson looks at how you should approach bankroll management when you play poker online for real cash rather than free poker online tournaments and ring games. Of course the principles also apply to free online poker and I advise that all new players should sign up for at least one free online poker site as they are the perfect places to practice your game and bankroll management, however the focus of this how to play poker lesson is money games where your skill in bankroll management is the largest single factor in deciding if you are profitable or bankrupt.

Bankroll Fundamentals
Some basics first. A bankroll is your total funds into a poker account. It’s a fact of poker that now and again you will suffer a series of bad beats, therefore you need to have a bankroll that is big enough, in relative terms to the games you play to keep you afloat and able to play when you get hit by a run of bead beats. At the core of the matter is the need to be realistic about how much you can risk per poker game. Do not play beyond your means because it is the best method of accumulating frustration and lose even more.

Bankroll Goals
Increasing our bankroll is the primary goal. The mistake that some players made is to enroll often in tournaments they cannot really afford. The prize pools in a lot of multi table tournaments are very attractive. The big temptation is that if you win your bankroll shoots up, unfortunately this is a rare event! You will lose all your bankroll in a short period of time if you don’t follow the rules. Then, with no money you will be stuck doing very small freerolls in order to get back again and that is a long and boring road.

Bankroll Principles
It is recommended to bring only 5% or less of your total bankroll on Cash Game tables and around 2% Buy In or less for tournaments (Sit n Go and Multi-table). When you stick to these percentage rules, as long as you play a solid game your bankroll will increase slowly but steadily. The mistake of some peoples is to enroll in tournaments beyond their means and where lot of players go away without any gain.

It’s a fact that it is impossible to win every game. That’s why when things do not go well at all, it is preferable to stop play for 1 hour and do something else. When you will return, the game may be in your favor. Focus on leaving negativity aside, anger or frustration in poker games is a sure way to lose it all. Opponents can spot this sort of weakness like sharks smelling blood and will not be slow to take advantage you.

Cash Game:
Cash table games are the main game many play. They can be long duration and boring at times and you will find all styles of player in them. You need to know how to adapt to each type of players in order to win as frequently as possible. A cash game will give you more money in the long run than sit n go tournaments and multi-table. The important thing is not winning big but winning often.

Even if the gains are large or small, what matters is to leave the table with a profit. In cash games you will find that your funds go up and down slowly so it is essential to be disciplined. Never bring more than 5% of your funds on a table. If you want to play on 2 tables, take 2.5% of your funds at most for each table. It is unwise to play more than 2 tables as you will lose focus on either your cards or opponents.

Sit n Go:
Sit n go’s (SNGs) can be good earners when you play the right type. Find tournaments where there are large stacks and the play is normal speed, by this I mean Blinds increase every ten minutes or so. These tournaments will let you see more pre-flop so you can play only the good hands. When the blind goes up quickly (Turbo games), luck becomes a factor more than strategy. If you play with luck then you may as well just play roulette.

Multi-Table:
Multi-table tournaments are tournaments which look attractive but where a lot of players go away without a profit. Luck can sometimes give you a good profit but it is not something to rely on as this type of tournament can really hammer your bankroll quickly. The variance (or probability range swings) in MTTs is simply too high and my advice is to avoid them. Perhaps play them every now and then if you feel luck is with you but just for fun using a small amount, perhaps 1%.

Fundamental Tips:
The very first rule is always to have fun. Poker is predominantly a game of luck blended with probability, nothing is assured. If you have no fun, you should stop for a moment, your cash won’t escape. It is best to reload mentally before reloading monetarily. And rehearse your bankroll management on free poker sites and take full advantage of all the free online poker coaching you’ll find there, it will help your hugely when you find yourself playing for real cash.

In this free online poker games training lesson we’re going to look at the best ways to take advantage of being in late position. This is defined by being on the button which means dealer of the hand and is the best position in Hold’Em poker.

This is because you act last in all but the opening betting round and everyone else has played their hand before you have to make decision whether to check, call, raise or re-raise.

When you are in late position as there is no raise behind you are able to call with any pocket pair between 2 and 7, and you can raise with 8’s or higher. Any 2 big cards can be called, but keep in mind that if you play hands such as K and J you will need a good flop right away since AK or AJ on the table will trash your hand.

Furthermore play any suited connectors down to the 4. Suited cards with one card gap in them such as 9-club and J-club can be played, but don’t stay in with lower than 7 and 5 suited. Also keep in mind that you should play cards such as A,5 suited carefully by knowing that if A does flop then your kicker might not be effective.

However, when you’re in last position, where there has been a raise or maybe a re-raise before you, then it is important to review your cards effectively; don’t purely stay in because of your position.

The most important part of the late position is where you can attempt to bully from it, and this can be genuinely an effective technique but it must be used selectively. This is because if the other players begin to notice that you bully with marginal hands, then they will adjust their play accordingly and will set you up for a fall.

Plus, if you button bully all the time it does become a losing strategy in the long run. The players of today are too skilled and too experienced not to see a player do this sort of thing over and over. Using the power of late position can be really a valuable tool but only when done wisely.

The key to success in poker be it casinom play or online poker is not to play predictably, if you do then all but the poorest opponents will whip you every time. This applies to all parts of your game and is very easy to apply to your positional play.

Should you demonstrate positional play habits, especially if you are playing in a regular group or long tournament then what you do is going to be noted and sooner or later you’ll pay for it, normally at the most expensive time. So learn what your options are in the different positions and really make an effort to vary what you do and when you do it and in doing so keep the other players off balance.

The best way to learn how to play poker positions is to play free online poker games before trying your hand at games involving real cash.

There are several very good free online poker sites about and I advise you join one of them and have a good play there first, indeed, free sites are great to play at in any stage of your poker career as they’re also great for some fun and to test out new strategies. Plus the better ones have excellent free poker coaching instruction resources you can use to learn more about aspects of poker and improve your game.