Gain an Edge in Online Poker With Advanced Poker Strategy

There are many advanced poker strategy moves that one can learn to gain an edge in online poker. Among some of the best advanced poker strategy techniques are check-raising, playing position, and trapping your opponent. However, in the online poker world, these strategies are not nearly as effective for two reasons.

Why Advanced Poker Strategy Fails Reason #1

The main reason you might find it difficult to pull off an advanced poker strategy like check raising or trapping, is because of the large amount of inexperienced players online. The fact that you check to induce a bluff or with the intent of raising or trapping usually does not work because many novice layers see your check as a sign of weakness.

When your opponent perceives you as weak, he is likely to call you all the way down to the river and suck-out on you. Additionally, when your portrayal of weakness is against an opponent that believes you are bluffing, he may call you with his draw and give you a bad beat.

Typically, playing weak online gives the impression to novice players that you are trying to bluff or steal or that you truly do not have a good hand.

Why Advanced Poker Strategy Fails Reason #2

Another reason that advanced poker strategy fails online is that the computer generated software behind the poker clients typically is not as true to the statistical odds as it is in live play. The fact is that poker software fails to have the capacity to truly randomize decks and present the cards in the same manner that a live game would.

This is the reason so many flush draws, straight draws, and constant bad beats occur online. The software normally gives a draw-heavy board and puts a lot of superior hands at risk against drawing hands. The fact that you may have the best hand on the flop is largely irrelevant online because of the added computer software that makes draws more often than statistically probable as in live play.

The Solution

Of course, there is a solution to the problem of online poker, and that is to use advanced poker strategy geared for online poker. The check raising, trapping, bluffing, position play, and other methods so effective in live play are largely ineffective in online play. To counter the software anomalies and the novice players, who call down anything, one must understand better how the software works and how to manipulate it to your advantage.

Gaining an understanding of the poker client software and how it works to produce draw heavy boards and constant bad beats, is as simple as learning live advanced poker strategy. If you wish to become a better player online and cash more often, just like in live poker games, you need to study how the online poker game is different and how to adapt your game for it.

Paul Westin is a professional Poker player and has written several books and articles in trade magazines about poker, including the award winning Online Poker Code. Learn more about the poker algorithms and programs that control online poker and how to gain an edge. Discover the Online Poker Code to see how you can become a profitable and professional poker player online!

Improve your professional poker career with your free copy of the eBook, How to Succeed as a Professional Online Poker Player. Gain in-depth techniques and tricks for winning online poker. The book contains poker strategy and insights from several online poker professionals.