|
|
Visit Online Casino Suite to Learn
About: Casino |
Poker |
Slots |
Bingo
Beating
the Rake
Most poker strategists
will say that a player can, in fact, beat the rake. Yet, other
players will say just the opposite, and that the only way to beat
the rake is to join a Comp Program that gives percentage returns on
rake schedules. Our stance is that players can indeed beat the rake,
albeit the amount may not be drastically significant. However,
in the long run these savings will add up, especially if used in
conjunction with a poker room promotion that does give percentage
bonuses back on pot rakes.
The key to beating the
rake is to play a tight game, which all beginning players should be
doing anyhow. And the key to playing a tight game is to be
conscious of your starting hand, and it's full potential of becoming
a ranked poker hand. We advise that you study up on our
specific poker game tips to help you understand just what your odds
of drawing a good hand are. When you know this, you will know
the right time to fold your hand, which should be early on for the
majority of games (Early on means before or immediately after the
Flop). In regards to beating the rake, make sure you read up
on the rake schedule for the particular game you are playing in the
poker room. Sometimes rakes will not be applied to the pot
until it has reached a certain point, which is something you need to
be conscious of. If you have a so-so hand (like a weak pair)
you should hold out as long as you can before the pot hits the
amount when the rake is applied. This way you will get out
without having to pay it.
One thing to be weary of
when playing a tight game, are other players who will pick up on
your betting pattern and try to take advantage of you - Buying cards
and blind stealing are normally the tactics used to do so. Be aware
of the small blind seat and the last seat, for these positions are
normally the places where these two tactics are implemented.
Buying cards is done from the last seat, and is happens when no
players have made a bet in the betting round. This player will
bet just because nobody else has done so, causing others to believe
this player has a strong hand. In turn, most players will fold
or check the next time around. Be aware of this, and you may
be able to call this players bluff. Blind Stealing takes place
when a player in one of the blind seats (usually the small blind)
immediately raises the pot before the pre-flop. This could be
another bluff trying to get tight players to fold early on.
Keep an eye on players who do this at least once - and if they do it
repeated times, you should not be so inclined to fold with a
mediocre hand when the player does it again. Remember, play
tight only after you have ruled out other players bluffs. In
the long run, you will get out of paying rake fees that can add up
fast.
|
