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Since the time that computers became as common in homes as microwave ovens, people began spending as much time surfing the net as they did watching television. Of course it didn’t take long for the poker craze to catch on like wild fire and consume internet users. But have all of these on-line poker sites overwhelmed users with too many options?
First you must wade through the hundreds of online poker rooms, their bonuses, promotions and enticing offers to choose the site that’s right for you. So, you find the one that fits your criteria, download the software, then you have to decide which method to use to open your account. Finally, you’re logged in and ready to play, right? Not quite. At this point you can choose what format, level and type of game to play. And now, you’re ready for a fast-paced, exciting game.
At the table, you are again plagued by choices in the form of buttons to check, push or click for game play. These can be used before play advances to your position. Although selecting your action in advance may speed up an already quick game, they are overall a poor choice to use the majority of the time. Over-using these seemingly convenient options may end up costing you more of your chips than you desire.
For example, you’re in middle position with suited face cards and think, "I’d like to see a flop," so you commit yourself to calling the amount of the big blind by selecting that option. Immediately after making this choice, one player doubled the bet, but you decide you still want to see the flop and reselect the advance option to call the raise. However, three players have also called with three still to act including the blinds. Now you’re stuck in the middle of the action. Although it’s still possible to change your mind and uncheck the box (provided you’re fast enough), it’s a lot easier to say "Aww, what the heck," and call with a mediocre hand out of position.
On the other hand, if you are in either of the blind positions with a bad hand, don’t be too quick to fold it. Selecting the check/fold button is equivocal to folding out of turn in a live game, which obviously is never a wise play. If all the players acting before you fold when you’re in the small blind position, it may be possible to steal the blind by raising. Furthermore, if one or two players limp in, as the big blind raising may drive out the competition. But use these strategies cautiously because the other players will catch on after a while.
Another example that over-using the pre-select options is a bad choice is if you’re in early position with high pocket pairs and you want to make a pot-sized bet, so you select "bet pot". What if the only person to act before you goes all-in? Now you’re in for more than you had intended. It may all work out in your favor or you may have just lost a sizable portion of your stack.
When playing online, always try to think ahead, but never play ahead. Play your position. Don’t let the convenience of these buttons cloud your ability to decide how to play your hand. A pre-selected action may be faster than your reaction, especially if a player does the unexpected. But of course, you’ve thought ahead and anticipated your opponent’s action. Remember, that playing poker on-line requires strategy, planning and perhaps a little bit of luck. But the choices are yours to make, even if it’s deciding whether to play in your business suit or your birthday suit.
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