In this free poker guide you’ll discover and learn why you need to be aware of player numbers, how they affect the dynamic of the game and how you should vary your hand play to suit the situation.

Player numbers and hand strategy does, I’m sorry to say have a math component. But don’t worry, as long as you can do basics you’ll be fine.

If you are a free online poker tournament player and you can get this subject down well then you’ll give yourself a serious edge. Most of the “farm animals” you play with won’t have a clue about this, so learn and clean up!

I have 4 different size tables that I place into categories.

1. Heads up

2. 3 and 4 people

3. 5-7 people

4. 8-10 people

Essentially what we are looking to do here is avoid coin flip situations e.g., all-in’s Preflop. An integral part of being consistently successful Holdem poker player is risk reduction in every aspect of your game. Here now is how I advise you apply risk reduction to hands play depending on table size.

1 – Heads up

Basically any 2 cards are live in heads up games and I generally like to see a flop. If however I have 2 cards which I do not like coupled with a raise I’ll fold . I really like it whenever they make a big raise because it’s easy for me to fold.

If I have decent cards, unless it’s a very big raise I’ll call and see the flop after that it all depends on the feel of the player and what they do. If I suspect it’s a tight player and I’m on the button I’ll raise just to see where I’m at. Normally if they do not have anything they fold but if they’re drawing or have a pair they could call so I would be careful from now on.

2 – 3 and 4 players

With so few people at the table any cards with “letters” on them get played to see a flop. Most times when you are at a table like this the players are mostly tight players. So if you are on the button call most of the time and aim to steal pots by betting on into the pot.

3 – 5-7 players

Now this is really where it gets tricky. Only pocket pairs and very high cards should be played. Small pocket pairs should be limped into the pot hoping to hit a set.

With medium pocket pairs aim to limp into the pot. If you can call a small raise you can hope to hit a set.

Now with high pockets you should be raising same deal with any 2 cards that have letters on them (J-A).

4 – 8-10 players

Here you have to play real tight. I only try to play the top 10 hands which are pockets thru 10s and then the letter cards. Anything less than a 9 in my hand is almost non playable. I will limp into a pot with any pockets however.

Now knowing the “position” and the “math” is important because of the amount of people on the pot and the people left to act after you.

The reason why you play a shorter table different is the amount of cards left in the deck.

In Heads up money or free Texas Holdem poker games there are 48 cards left in deck so anything can come out on the flop.

In 3 and 4 player scenarios there are at most 44 cards left in deck thus a better % of your cards hitting.

With 5-7 players there are at the least 38 cards left in deck and therefore more chance that someone else has some of the cards you need or folded them.

At 8-10 now you are down to 22 cards left in deck and it is most likely that some or most the people folded cards you need or have the cards thus the reason for mostly playing pockets.

This all being said when the river is dealt if there is a four card straight or flush on board you don’t need to be in the hand if someone bets.

If it’s folded to you then you can sometimes bet to try and steal pot. If they check raise you just fold and live to play another hand.

I know this sounds more complex that it really is. When you think about it, it is logic that the more players there are means the more cards there are in play and so you need to be tighter and play progressively better cards only as player numbers rise.

So good luck at the tables and try to remember that no matter whether you are playing high stakes or simply fun free texas holdem poker the principles remain the same with only the financial risk varies – and that is a totally different type of risk to that of hand probabilities.If you’re new to poker or can’t risk much money start off on free online texas holdem poker sites and progress up from there as your skill, bankroll and confidence grow

1. Free Online Poker Guide – What type of Texas Holdem Poker player are you?
2. Free Poker Tips on Finding the Donk on Your Poker Table
3. Free Texas Holdem Tips and Mental Help guide to Analyzing Players
4. Free Online Poker Games Guide To The What Poker Cards To Play From Each Table Place
5. Free Poker Games Guide to Hand play Techniques

FreshAire