Poker Strategies: How to Play and Win

Poker is a game where skill matters more than luck. Unlike slot machines , your decisions directly affect the outcome. At Makao online casino, you play poker with live dealers via HD streaming, applying strategies as in a real casino.

Online poker requires understanding mathematics, psychology, and discipline. Let's explore key strategies that will help you play poker more effectively.

Basic Principles of Poker Strategy

Starting Hand Selection

The first rule of successful play is not to play every hand. How to play poker correctly starts with understanding starting hand strength.

Premium hands (always play):

• AA, KK, QQ, JJ - top pairs
• AK suited - ace-king of the same suit
• AK offsuit - ace-king of different suits

Strong hands (play from position):

• 10-10, 99, 88 - medium pairs
• AQ, AJ suited - ace with face card
• KQ suited - king-queen of the same suit

Speculative hands (play cheaply):

• Small pairs (22-77)
• Suited connectors (78s, 89s)
• Suited aces (A2s-A9s)

Playing poker with discipline means folding weak hands, even when you want to "see the flop."

Positional Play

Why Position Matters

In poker, position is an advantage. The later you act, the more information about opponents.

Early position (UTG, UTG+1):

• Play only premium hands
• High risk - many players after you
• Minimum bluffing

Middle position (MP):

• Expand range
• Add strong hands
• Careful bluffing possible

Late position (CO, BTN):

• Maximum wide range
• Information advantage
• More bluffing opportunities

Blinds (SB, BB):

• Forced bets
• Defense against steals
• Play carefully without position

Playing on the Button

Button (BTN) - best position at the table. You act last on all streets after the flop. Opponents' poker faces are already revealed by their actions, and you make decisions with maximum information.

Bet Sizing

Standard Sizes

Proper bet sizing is the foundation of poker strategy:

Pre-flop raise:

• Standard: 2.5-3 big blinds (BB)
• With limpers: +1 BB per limper
• From early position: can be larger

Continuation bet (flop bet):

• 50-75% of pot on dry boards
• 33-50% on wet boards with draws

Value bet:

• 60-80% of pot with strong hand
• Goal - get call from worse hand

Bluff:

• Size should "tell a story"
• Too small - doesn't work
• Too large - risky

Reading Opponents

Betting Patterns

In online poker with live dealers, you play against the casino, but understanding patterns is useful:

Quick call:

• Often means draw or medium hand
• Rarely - monster (slowplay)

Long thinking + raise:

• Usually strong hand
• Player is "Hollywooding"

Instant check:

• Weakness
• Willingness to fold

Poker Face in Live Play

In live dealer streaming, you observe the dealer. Professional dealers maintain neutrality, but game tempo and table atmosphere affect your decisions.

Poker Mathematics

Pot Odds

Pot odds - ratio of pot size to the bet needed to call.

Formula: Pot / Bet to call

Example: Pot 1000, bet 250. Pot odds = 1000/250 = 4:1

If your chances of improving your hand are better than pot odds - call is profitable.

Outs and Probabilities

Out - card that will improve your hand.

Quick calculation: Outs × 2 = % for one card. Outs × 4 = % for two cards.

Applying Mathematics

Playing poker requires constant calculations. Example:

• You have flush draw (9 outs)
• Pot 500, bet 100
• Pot odds: 5:1 (need to win 1 in 6 cases = 17%)
• Chances of flush by river: 35%
• Conclusion: profitable call

Bankroll Management

Golden Rules

Bankroll management - foundation of long-term success in poker for money:

20 buy-in rule:

• Have minimum 20 buy-ins for chosen limit
• Buy-in = 100 BB for cash games
• Example: for 50/100 table need 200,000

Downswing rule:

• Lost 5 buy-ins - drop to lower limit
• Return when you rebuild bankroll

Session rule:

• Set loss limit per session (2-3 buy-ins)
• Set win goal
• Stick to plan

Tilt Control

Tilt - emotional state after losses, leading to bad decisions.

Signs of tilt:

• Playing more hands
• Increasing bets
• Chasing losses
• Irritation

How to fight:

• Take a break
• Set stop-loss in advance
• Play only in good mood

Strategies for Different Poker Types

Caribbean Poker

In game against casino, strategy is simpler:

• Always play with pair or higher
• Play with A-K-Q or A-K-J
• Fold hands worse than A-K
• Don't buy insurance (mathematically unprofitable)

Russian Poker

Card exchange strategy:

• Exchange to flush draw or straight draw
• Don't exchange made hands
• Buying 6th card is profitable with strong draw

Three Card Poker

Basic strategy:

• Play with Q-6-4 or better
• Fold everything else
• Pair Plus bet - optional (high house edge)

Poker Psychology

Discipline

Playing poker successfully = playing with discipline:

• Follow strategy, even when unlucky
• Don't deviate from plan
• Make correct decisions, don't chase results

Patience

Poker is a marathon, not a sprint:

• Wait for good hands
• Don't force events
• One good hour doesn't determine success

Adaptation

Good strategy - flexible strategy:

• Analyze your play
• Learn from mistakes
• Improve weaknesses

Poker for Money at Makao Casino

How to Start

To apply strategies in money games:

1. Register
2. Complete verification
3. Deposit funds
4. Choose poker table with live dealer
5. Start with low limits

Live Poker Advantages

• Streaming from real tables
• Professional dealers
• Fair play without RNG
• Real casino atmosphere

Conclusion

Poker is a game of skill where strategy determines success. Starting hand selection, positional play, proper bet sizing, and mathematics - foundations of profitable play. Bankroll management and discipline protect from ruin.

At Makao online casino, you can play poker with live dealers, applying all strategies as in a real casino. Start with low limits, hone skills, and gradually grow as a player.

Strategy information is for informational purposes only. Makao online casino is not responsible for strategy choice and game results. Poker is a gambling game, winning is not guaranteed.

Makao online casino: gambling games for persons over 18 years. Play responsibly.