1. The aggressive type – he pushes in a lot in this spot, one-double-up away from the chip lead.

2. The cautious one, understanding that his tiournament life is at stake at this point.

The first type is the easiest to play, and the most dangerous one. After some time, you will stop putting this kind of player on a hand, resulting in mediocre calls because you’re sick of the the steals. Don’t fall for it! His steals are worthless with the blinds at these levels. Be patient. Don’t raise too much, see flops, wait for top pair/two pair, let him push into you. Your 2-to-1 chip lead will dwindle, but you’ll have a good chance of taking him out if you have the patience to wait.

An example of his not to play: You: 2105 chips – opponent 895 chips. Blinds are 5-10 chips. Opponent has pushed 8 times in the last 10 hands. You pick up A4os on the button, and your opponent shoves again. You call. He flips over 77.

You fell for it. A4os is not a calling hand for THAT many chips. You are looking for a reasonable two overs to a pair, or two higher live cards i.e. A9 vs K7. Don’t worry about him holding 74os and you folding A4. Be patient, picking your spot more carfully will allow you for a much better chance when you do decide to call him down.

How to play: lay down the A4os. Lay down the K8’s. Wait for A10  AK – AA  22.
Good luck!

Firstly watch your opponents. Learn to look for those players who will fold at the first sign you might be holding a better hand. If these players call your bluff you may have to give up the ghost.

Limit your bluffs to when there is not much other action. Use your position on the button or small blind to steal the blinds. If it is check/folded round to you this is an opportunity not to miss.

Use your stack to bluff with. Push around smaller stacks by making big raises. Don’t go in with a bluff too often as it will be a little like the boy who cried wolf. At the table your reputation is everything and you want a reputation for playing solid hands to be able to get away with bluffing.

Don’t always make a full bluff. When you bluff sometimes it is wise to have at least a mediocre hand to back you up. Especially if it can turn into a monster. Remember from time to time those two high cards will be enough to take the pot.

Now if you are in fact independently wealthy, the limit you play at will be based upon skill rather than how much you can afford to lose. But even those with a bank balance larger than the GDP of Latvia should take a moment to consider the following.

Choosing the limit you initially play at will be based on your initial Bankroll. This amount is what you are prepared to lose and not your only daughters wedding fund. Based on that you choose a limit depending on the type of poker you will be playing.

When you make some money, and hopefully you will, you may wish to move up a level, but you don’t have to. If you are comfortable at the limit you are playing and you are winning, then stick with what works. If and when you move up keep an eye on whether you are winning. Set yourself an amount you are willing to lose and stick to it. Move back down it you lose to many sessions in a row at your new level.

If you are keeping records of your sessions, and you should be, you will soon be able to see at what limit you are most profitable. Playing within your means should mean that you never have to reload again.

The rules of Chinese poker are straightforward. Each player is dealt 13 cards and has to arrange them into two hands of five cards and one of three that’s it, really. The game has huge variance because of the luck factor being substantial in this game,

Though Chinese poker is a game where you really are in the hands of the poker gods with the luck of the draw, there is a skill to setting the hands. There are often multiple decisions to be made. (Do I break up two pair to make a flush? Do I break up my second full house to give myself a pair in front?) Skilled, experienced players will have a better idea what to do in these situations and will also factor in their opponents’ tendencies, creating an edge (albeit a small one) for themselves. In fact anyone who has bothered to read any Chinese poker strategy guides will be at a distinct advantage. So before you decide to play with real money I would suggest practicing with a few buddies. Maybe on an aeroplane, but maybe not for $2000 a point.

If your up cards look weak but you actually have the nut flush then you play to milk the most out of your opponent whilst they are thinking you are the Muppet You can also uses strong upcards to hide what may be a terrible hand. An aggressive raise whilst showing an Ace could make someone fold their trips, not realising you only have a 5 and a 7 in the hole all off suit. Sneaky!

What other players are showing can also be used to your advantage. As you know, there are 13 cards to each suit. You need 5 cards of one suit to make a flush. So, if you’ve got a flush draw, be sure to look at what your opponents are showing. If you’re holding 3 hearts and there’s a total of 6 other hearts on the table, there’s only 4 left in the deck. Do this same thing if you’re trying to complete a straight; there’s only four of each card in the deck that could help you make your straight. You don’t want to bet your money on a slim chance at drawing the only Jack left that may or may not be in the deck.

Seven Card Stud players who take note of all the upcards in play and folded have an advantage; so don’t bury your face in your own cards.