Moving on to implied odds

Implied odds are simple derivatives of pot odds and are concerned with working out what is going to come next and how much you need to shell out to yourself through with your hand.

The most usual scenario where figuring out implied odds will be extremely beneficial is when there is a high pair versus the straight or flush draw. Let us say you are playing at the same blind level as the example explained in the pot odds section, but this time both players bet $1.20. That would make the pot $3.75 when the betting gets to you after the flop and it would cost you $1.20 to stay in the hand.

Now your pot odds have dropped to about a 3-1 payout which is almost acceptable considering your odds of hitting but you need to see the turn as well as the river to make those odds work. With aggressive betting like that after the flop it is most implausible that players will just check on the turn and river. It is a safe assumption that it is going to cost you even more to see the river if you do not hit on the turn.

Also, this scenario with all your opponents going in for big bets should tell you in clear words about the strength of your opponents’ hands. With all these big bets and calls believe that there is a good enough chance you may be up against two pair or a made straight, both of which would make pairing your K or Q later on fruitless.

Implied odds are also function of stack size. This works as follows: If a player is short stacked then the amount they can bet later on in a hand is limited. Just to drive home the point, here is an example: if a player with a stack size of $20 bets $10, you know that they can only bet another $10 in that hand and you can adjust the implied odds accordingly.

Managing your Bankroll – I

Eyes glued to the prize!

Need more motivation to spare a thought to managing your bankroll, here it comes. Just think of no more texas hold’em for you unless you have a bankroll, get it now? Great! Here is the upside to it. If you manage it properly, as your skills develop you will soon be in a position where you will never have to top it up again. That is free Texas hold’em for life! Yoohoo! Your bankroll is also your ultimate scoreboard. Texas hold’em is a game and the object of any game is to win.

But what exactly is a bankroll?

Bankroll is simply the money you set aside specially for playing Texas hold’em. It is the Texas hold’em money, and should always be an amount you can comfortably afford.