Well, Pot Odds is the ratio of what is already in the pot to the amount you would have to bet to stay in the hand. So, if there are $36 in the pot, and you would need to bet $6 to stay in the hand, the pot odds are 36 to 6, or 6 to 1.

Why would you need to know this?

One example of using pot odds is when your hand is not yet the best hand at the table, but it could be if the right card comes up next. For instance, with four cards on the board you hold four clubs. The odds of completing the flush on the river are roughly 5 to 1 against you. That means for you to bet there should be at least five times the bet amount in the pot. If the bet to you is $2, then there should be at least $10 in the pot to make it worth calling. more about pot odds...

The first thing a Holdem player should learn is which cards are worth playing, and which should be folded. Many beginning players stay in a hand with cards that have little or no future, and it ends up showing in there chip count.

Remember that no two cards alone can be unbeatable, and once the flop falls things that once looked good may no longer be worth pursuing. Still, to give yourself the best chance to succeed, play only the premium hands.

• Large Pairs - Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks. Even pairs of tens and nines and eights are high quality starting hands. Play them.
• Aces with suited High Cards - When you get an Ace with a K,Q,J, or even a ten, many good things can happen.

Over the past several weeks, I have discussed many aspects in the hopes that by reading my articles, you will become a more profitable poker player. I’ve discussed strategy for winning online tournaments, advanced strategy such as bluffing and things to avoid such as going on tilt, but I just realized something. I have neglected to go over the basics that all poker players should keep in mind. There are certain things you must keep in mind before sitting at a table and throwing your hard earned money into the mix.

Today I conclude the 2-part series on the subject of getting started in online poker. Here are numbers 6-10 Internet Poker Strategies that, when followed, will get you on your way to becoming a winning online poker player. more about getting started with online poker...

Has this ever happened to you? You’re sitting at a good game, either 5 handed or 10 handed. Countless hands go by and yet, you can’t take down a single pot? This astounds you because the probability of this happening are just so remote that it starts to frustrate you. 10 hands go by, 20 hands and you still seem to be holding ice cold cards while many of your opponents are just snatching pot after pot without even making it to the showdown. This inaction makes you start to wonder what the heck everyone is holding. Is it a conspiracy against you? Not likely. Does everyone have you beat every hand? Even less likely. more about raising...

Why play poker? It seems like a simple question, but the answer is both complex and personal. There are many different reasons to play or not play poker, and often these reasons will dictate what type of player a person is and what limits he or she should play.

Poker pros are commonly described as tight and aggressive. A good player is nothing like that; in general he masters at least three critical elements of poker.

Math skills

Good poker players know general percentages. They know that you have about 1 in 8 chance of hitting a set when holding a pocket pair, and that you have about a 1 in 3 chance of completing a flush draw at the flop. They know the importance of 'outs.' Outs are simply the number of cards that will improve your hand. more about poker skills...

You’ve held your own, took down some pots and knocked your share of players out. You’ve been checking over your shoulder for updates and you see that the player pool has been steadily decreasing. You also check your chip position in relation to the leader and the player average and you’re sure that you’re in good shape.

What a total shame it would be to come so far and still finish out of the money. After all, if you don’t get paid off, you essentially wasted your time and effort, not to mention your non-refundable buy in. I know, I know, you could look at the bright side and view a loss as a losing experience, but personally, I learn a lot better when I’m counting money, not when I’m muttering to myself in disgust...more about tournament strategy...