How to Win Online Poker Cash Games

Winning at poker isn't easy but can be financially rewarding

The game of Texas Hold 'Em looks easy on TV and in films, but playing it is different. Whether it's online or in person you have to know when to play the right hands, read your opponents and understand your position. There will be moments when you are caught in two minds and will be unlucky. But if you learn the basics and improve your skills with practice there will be times when everything works out and collecting a good sized pot makes all the effort feel worth while.

Instructions

1. Your first step is to decide whether to play on after the cards are dealt. The best hands to receive are high pairs, with the pair of aces being the best. Pairs are worth playing with to at least see the flop, which are the first three cards laid on the table.

   With the odds of being dealt a pair of aces at 220 to 1 it's not likely that you will see them often. Practice helps in picking which cards to play on with, but the best cards to look for are cards that are suited (both of the same suit, so that you may hit a flush--five cards of one suit), or are numerically close together (giving you a chance of a run--five cards in sequence).

2. Play on the flop if you see the cards you need. If you hit the right cards then there is no doubt to play on, but this doesn't always happen and other players may begin to pressure your move.

   Online games have timers, but try to forget that your decision is being rushed. Study the moves of other players if you are waiting for your turn and consider your bet. Remember, in a cash game you can play with more patience as the blinds don't rise and you can leave the table at any time.

3. Keep a close eye on the river card. This is the next card to be turned and if other players are chasing and looking to complete their hand then the bets may start to rise. But these players may still need one more card and if you have a pair then it's a good move to place a bet or raise a low bet already on the table.

   This theory gives you a chance to work out the players on the table. If they are looking for a flush or a run and are yet to complete when you put in your bet most players will leave. If they match you then you know they have something which may be close to your hand or already better.

4. Complete the hand when the last card is down. This is called the River. You should now know how strong your hand is and the way you play depends on your instinct towards your competitors. If the other players have been betting low throughout and now bet high then the chances are they have hit what they need on the last card. But be cautious of players hiding this. Either way, if you are in a strong position to dominate the play and take the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Positioning in poker is important and the best place to be is on the "button," i.e., the dealer, and are last to either put in your chips or fold. Watching everyone's decisions gives you a control over the table and you should maximize this advantage by playing with a little more aggression and placing a bet. Obviously, this can depend on how good you hand is and if a large bet has been placed.

References

• Good Luck Online Poker Info: Best Cash Game Strategy
• DominateOnlinePoker.com: General Online Cash Game Strategy Tips
• Blind Bet Poker: Tournaments vs Cash Games
• Flopturnriver.com: Rank & Order Of Poker Hands
• The Poker Bank: Pocket Pair Odds Chart
• Online Poker Beginners Guide: Texas Hold 'Em Positioning Tips