Going for the Big Hands in Texas Holdem

Relying on tried and tested strategies when playing Texas Holdem will help you win, but since most of these tactics are conservative, the wins will be either small or average. By turning to bolder, more daring moves you will throw your opponents off guard and win more money.

Of course, gambling for the winning hands does not mean holding out for the Royal Flush, because it will not happen (well, it does happen, but do not count on it). Instead, you should learn to take the initiative and calculate the risks.

One of the most common big hands that you can go for, especially if you are a new player, is the straight draw. If you are holding a Q10 and the flop gives up 3K9, there is no reason not to bet on the turn. Of course, if the flop produced a 3, 6, 9, you would have to call until the river, which entails more risks. However, holding a ten and a face card is the best way to go after the straight draw in Texas Holdem.

Realistically speaking, the best hand you can often get is the backdoor flush. To implement this in your Texas Holdem strategy, you would need to have a suited hand, like an 8 and 5 of hearts. If the board has a 3h, Ks, Jh then you have a chance of getting the flush on the turn or river. If it is a 3h, Ks and Jc, however, it is very unlikely that you will get two more hearts on the turn and river.

Because of this, some players prefer to go for the flush only when they have suited face cards or suited consecutive numbers (7h, 8h, 9h Th etc). The reason is that even if you do not get a flush, the odds are that you will get at least a straight.

Another big hand is three of a kind, or the set. However, even if you have a 44 and the set comes up in the turn, you might get beaten by a superior hand, so others only like to go for this Texas Holdem strategy with a high pair like KK.

Obviously going for the big hands is not for everyone, and there is disagreement as to when it should be tried out. Some will tell you that this Texas Holdem strategy should be done only if the pot size is small, so in case you fail it will not amount to much.

Others will disagree and say that if you are going to go for the big hands in Texas Holdem, then you should do it when the pot is big. In the end it is up to you, but when calculating the odds, also factor in the type of players you are competing against.

Regardless of when you decide to play the big hands, by remembering the abovementioned guidelines you will know which hands are more likely to appear and increase your chances of winning.