Texas holdem strategy - What to do on the flop

"Fit or fold" is the common wisdom on this subject. You should be in a good position to decide what to do on the flop. I’ve always played over pairs and top pairs a little too strongly, and that works well at a weak table with calling stations, but you have to be more cautious with better players. The "average" winning hand in Texas holdem at a showdown is two pairs or better.

If your starting cards were a drawing hand, you need to hit your hand in order to play it. If you had pocket 66’s, you really need to hit 3 of a kind to continue playing the hand, otherwise you should fold. 4 to an open-ended straight are playable unless there’s a potential flush draw on the board. 4 to a flush is usually a good hand to play. But if you’re playing a small pair and there are over cards on the board, you’re probably going to have to get away from the hand. Texas holdem is a game of high cards.

This is a very basic introduction to the things you should think about in Texas holdem strategy. There are tremendous subtleties and complexities beyond this introduction, and entire books are written on strategies for limit, pot limit, and no limit Texas holdem. You’re encouraged to start reading them and think about them while you play. Please be sure to visit the Unknown Poker guide to online poker rooms. Right now we're featuring a new Party Poker review.