Don't Knock the Pre-Flop

The pre-flop has been underestimated in Texas hold'em. More often than not, a player will just look at the cards and decide if they're good to make a poker hand or not. But what it tells us goes beyond our decision to stay or fold on the pre-flop phase. It can tell us how to optimize our winning chances!

Obviously, the cards matter. If you get a pair of high cards, that's good, and it's safe to stay. But don't be presumptuous and think you're all set. If the game depended on the hole or pocket cards alone, it wouldn't be fun now would it? The pre-flop can tell us more about our opponents and about ourselves as players.

The approach of other card players- whether they are aggressive or not - will influence your pre-flop tactic. This may require sitting in more than one hand to get the feel of your competitors' styles. More aggressive players tend to raise more or call without hesitation and it would be difficult to read if it's a bluff or not (but that's the point, isn't it?). This is good and makes for an interesting game. Either you match their straight-forward styles or not, it depends on your level or willingness in taking risks. Passive players would fold if preceded by players who raise the bets so early in the game. Their level of risk-taking is low or their confidence in their skills may be lacking, and this adds to your advantage.

The gist of the pre-flop as to anticipate how other players in your table play, and use that to your benefit, so you can make that choice to go on to the flop or to fold. This is the time to gauge your skills against the other players. If you're on the button, it's okay to continue after the pre-flop if you want to because you've already seen how everyone else betted and have at least, anticipated their confidence in their cards or in their ability to play them. At so early in the poker game, you can psychologically anticipate when to go on and when to fold.

Be aware that the Texas hold'em pre-flop is a key indicator on how you would play on the flop, the turn, and the river. It's not so much as what your pocket cards are, but it tells you what type of opponents you're playing against. You might not have good pocket cards, but if you notice that possibly the other players limping to the pot, it might just be worth it to stay on and go to the flop if you know that you are dealing with players with less skill than you. But if you're in a similar situation and you have one or two opponents raising the bets, determine how you can hold up and then decide if you're okay to go on or not.