How to Play Small Ball Poker in Texas Hold'em

The central idea behind playing small ball poker in Texas Hold'em is taking short, inexpensive shots at winning pots. This will raise the amount of your chips without risking your entire stack. Small ball is recommended only for intermediate or advanced players.

Instructions

1. Make sure that you understand and review the fundamentals of playing poker. Small ball is not a strategy for beginners.

2. Risk two to three times the big blind, pre-flop. This will allow you to potentially steal the blinds without getting involved in huge and costly decisions. Only do this if you are first to enter the pot.

3. Understand that the hands you are raising with do not have to be excellent. They merely have to have some kind of chance at being played post-flop. Do not raise with garbage.

4. Be very aggressive after the flop. If the hand is checked to you, bet out one-half to three-quarters of the pot, regardless of what you hold. This will hopefully cause your opponent to fold and, if not, you have gained valuable information on your opponent's hand.

5. Consider putting more money into the pot if the pot odds are in your favor. Also consider putting more money in depending on your implied odds. Small ball is ultimately the idea of taking little risks in order to win huge amounts of money.

6. Do not deviate from small ball if you do flop the best hand. Many players might check a monster hand, but this will send a warning signal to your opponents. Since they are aware you constantly bet, you should continue to bet and hope your opponent re-raises you, enabling you to take down a huge pot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have nothing and your opponent puts in more money, you must be willing to fold. Small ball is an aggressive style, but it is selectively aggressive. Avoid being trapped by your opponent.