Texas Hold’em Poker: How to Advertise

There are a couple of different scenarios you’ll find when you sit down to play No-Limit Texas Holdem. Much depends on your opponents. Sometimes, you just won’t have to get complicated. You’ll be sitting at a table with rank, unobservant amateurs, that hardly even know the Texas Hold em rules and plain-old solid, straightforward play will win. That’s it. Other times, though, you’ll have to rely on more sophisticated tactics. You’ll be up against experienced, observant, tough players and you’ll have to go the extra mile to trip them up.

One of the most effective ways to do this: advertising.

What it is
What do you do when you want everyone to know about something? You advertise. Texas Holdem is no exception.

Advertising in Texas Holdem poker is simply making a play designed to give your opponents a false impression, so you can take advantage of it later.

What Do I Need to Know?
For starters, don’t bother with players who aren’t even going to pick up on it. Advertising to players who don’t consider the styles of their opponents and only play the hand in front of them is a waste of time, and in some cases, money. Just play them straight-up and you should be able to get their chips.

Don’t spend too much money on it, either. If you get caught bluffing at a huge pot in a Texas Holdem game, the amount you lose may not be recouped in the action you get later. You’ll be surprised how small a pot you can try to steal that will still give everyone else at the table the impression you’re a bluffer.

When to Advertise in No-Limit
Mostly: when you’re not in control. If everyone is folding when you bet and you’re not getting any action on your good hands, it’s probably time to advertise. Make a couple of bluffs and turn them over to show you’re capable. Make sure people notice. Or, if you like to bluff, show your opponents a few strong hands, even when you’re not called, just to let them know when you bet you’ve got the goods.

Remember, though, if the people you’ve sold your advertising to leave the table, you’ve got to start all over again. So limit your advertising Texas Holdem plays to times when you expect most of your opponents to stick around awhile. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but the last thing you want is to get caught bluffing by someone and then have them up and leave with your money before you can use your new image against him.