6-max Texas Limit Holdem: Pre-Flop Play

Position is even more important in 6-max play than in a normal full ring game. The 6-max variation is generally played more aggressively and the battle for control starts right from the beginning. You will encounter much less limping in because the pot odds for speculative hands are not likely to be there.

Playing from the under the gun position (UTG), you will be in a raise or fold situation. Because of the smaller number of opponents and your tight table image, you will sometimes win the pot right there. Only play the strongest hands from the first position. Expect to be folding often. If you notice an opponent constantly limping in early that's an indication of a weak 6-max player.

In the next position (EP2), you should play much the same. Only open with very strong hands and open with a raise. Be leery of cold calling an open raise from the UTG player. If the UTG limps in you have the option of 3-betting in an attempt to isolate the hand into a heads up match in which you would have position. Be aggressive and remember that a fold is also a weapon.

Next we move to the cutoff position. We are now in late position and can take more advantage of the information we've learned so far. How many people are in? Has there been a raise? If no one is yet in, we are in a raise or fold situation. A raise has the potential to cause the button to fold thereby giving us the best position for the rest of the hand. If a player or two has limped in ahead of you and you want to play, you have a decision to make. Tend to raise with the stronger hands. Mix it up a bit with more marginal hands depending upon what type of player you are against. If there is a raise in front of you be wary of just cold calling. Fold most hands but consider 3-betting if you have a strong starting hand or if the raiser has loose starting hand requirements. A 3-bet may isolate you versus the raiser.

When you are on the button the same advice applies as in the cutoff position. The only difference is that you are in an even better position and are guaranteed to act last for the rest of the hand. If it's folded to you, you are up against two random hands in the blinds. Your raise first in will be viewed as a possible blind steal so you may get plenty of action from players who always defend their blinds.

In the small blind with callers, it's only half a small bet more to limp in. You can take a look with anything decent. Suited cards and connectors are playable here. If you get your flop it could be big. Fold quickly if you don't hit your flop.

In the large blind, be wary of a late steal attempt. It is important to know your opponent in this situation. Against a rock, the raise may well be legitimate. But against the habitual blind stealer, you may need to play back at him.

This should give you an outline of pre-flop play in the 6-max game. 6-max is more player dependant than full ring. Sometimes you need to play a situation normally. At other times you need to play opposite of what is expected. Each table has it's own dymanic. With time and experience, you should be able to develop the skills necessary to win at this enjoyable variation of Texas Limit Holdem.

Chip Westley operates Home Run Poker ( http://www.homerunpoker.blogspot.com ) a web community that serves as a place for baseball fans who like to play poker to gather, meet one another, and create private table games with other members of the community.

---

Google News Updated : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:25:52 GMT Hurricane Gustav Strengthens, Accelerates, Heads for Cuba, Gulf - Bloomberg BBC News Hurricane Gustav Strengthens, Accelerates, Heads for Cuba, Gulf Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Patrick Donahue and Robin Stringer Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Gustav strengthened and picked up speed as it headed toward western Cuba and the US Gulf Coast cities ravaged by Katrina and Rita in 2005, after lashing the Cayman Islands with ... Video: Gustav Follows Katrina's Path CBS Some leave Gulf Coast ahead of likely evacuations The Associated Press Reuters - Minneapolis Star Tribune - New York Times - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal all 6,069 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:40:06 GMT S. Ossetia to be absorbed into Russia - United Press International BBC News S. Ossetia to be absorbed into Russia United Press International - 1 hour ago TSKHINVALI, Georgia, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- South Ossetia says it will become part of Russia and host Russian military bases under a new agreement. Video: UN does have double standards RussiaToday Kremlin announces that South Ossetia will Times Online The Associated Press - AFP - Civil Georgia - New York Times all 6,104 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:01:52 GMT Experts: Silver lining for ‘viable’ Mitt Romney - Boston Herald Experts: Silver lining for ‘viable’ Mitt Romney Boston Herald - 8 hours ago By Edward Mason Mitt Romney - once a top contender to be John McCain’s running mate - may have suffered a bruised ego when he was passed over for the little known Gov. It's not Pawlenty, it's Palin Worthington Daily Globe Pawlenty, after the pick, another day at fair Minneapolis Star Tribune Post-Bulletin - Washington Post - Grand Forks Herald - CNN all 2,700 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:13:29 GMT US Oil, Gas Producers, Pipelines Brace for Gustav (Update1) - Bloomberg ABC News US Oil, Gas Producers, Pipelines Brace for Gustav (Update1) Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Margot Habiby Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc plan to finish shutting oil and gas production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and Enbridge Energy Partners LP will close pipelines as Hurricane Gustav gains strength and moves ... More volatility seen with hurricane, payrolls Reuters Airlines bounce as oil gives up early gains MarketWatch Forbes - DesMoinesRegister.com - CNNMoney.com - guardian.co.uk all 3,463 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:21:02 GMT Obama campaign buoyed by convention - Los Angeles Times ABC News Obama campaign buoyed by convention Los Angeles Times - 5 hours ago He sees an unusually strong jump in support after the carefully choreographed event in Denver. By Peter Nicholas, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer DENVER -- Amy Pearl is the sort of Democrat who made the Barack Obama campaign nervous. Look out, Palin The Hillary factor . . . Chicago Sun-Times Hillary supporters aren't bitter; they're concerned Chicago Tribune The Associated Press - CNN - Philadelphia Inquirer - New York Daily News all 8,528 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:00:48 GMT Sign of the times - BBC News San Diego Union Tribune Sign of the times BBC News - 1 hour ago As Russia and the West warn of a new Cold War after the Georgian conflict, the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley in Moscow tries to imagine what it would look like. European Union to Hold Urgent Meeting on Russia Voice of America last straw" for Russia Reuters New York Times - Financial Times - Wall Street Journal - Jerusalem Post all 333 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:10:28 GMT Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads - New York Times ABC News Comcast to Place a Cap on Internet Downloads New York Times - 3 hours ago By BRIAN STELTER Comcast, one of the country’s largest Internet providers, said this week that it would place limits on customers’ broadband usage. Comcast's Answer to ... InternetNews.com Critics Question Comcast Broadband Caps PC World CNET News - Wall Street Journal - ZDNet - InformationWeek all 386 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:08:14 GMT Automated Blog and Ping Add RSS Feeds to My Website

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Roulette System: Spread the News and Beat the Casino Legally

Discover the truth, the real secret behind successful business without... Read More

Party Poker Sign up Bonus Code Tutorial

I have had a lot of emails from people who... Read More

Casino Slots

Modern casino slots are controlled by computer chips and software,... Read More

The Secret of Pushing the Pass Line

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secret of Pushing... Read More

Sports Betting and Money Management

Your bankroll must be protected at all costs, a good... Read More

Heres an Easy Exercise to Improve Your Texas Holdem Play

Many beginning Texas Holdem players develop a playing style that... Read More

Women Gambling 101

There is a fundamental difference in the outlook of men... Read More

The Lottery Jackpot: Why You Havent Won Yet - And What You Can Do About It

Did you miss the lottery jackpot because the planets were... Read More

Gambling History of United States

Against the popular belief, gambling did not originate in the... Read More

Basic Jacks or Better Video Poker Strategy

Video Poker is a game of skill - and using... Read More

Tips & Strategies for Slot Players

1. Always play with money you can afford to lose.Let's... Read More

Gambling Legality Basics

The gambling scene in America can be traced back to... Read More

6-max Texas Limit Holdem: Pre-Flop Play

Position is even more important in 6-max play than in... Read More

Multi-Player Slots - Why They Look Set for Huge Growth!

Slots are exciting and fun, but are a solitary playing... Read More

To Bet Or Not To Bet? Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Happy, Healthy Gambler?

I placed my first bet when I was at university.... Read More

Odds Comparison ? Increasing Your Winnings

After being in sports betting for about 23 years you... Read More

Halftime Betting for Football

There are several different ways bettors use the halftime wager,... Read More

Bonuscodes Party Poker : Get more for your deposit buck

Bonuscodes for Party Poker are a great way to get... Read More

You Can Make Poker Less Painful (or--A Pain in the Arse can be Removed ...without Surgery)

As you will read in this article, the removal of... Read More

Compulsive Gamblers Guilt Affects Their Gambling Addiction Recovery

When a compulsive gambler is in recovery, feeling guilty is... Read More

Just The Best Online Gambling, Casinos, Poker, Sports Book

BlackJack, Slots, Roulette, Video Poker, Bonus Slots, Stud Poker, Texas... Read More

Poker Table Position

Poker seating and the position one has at the table... Read More

Gaming Winners

Before you plan a trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic... Read More

Land Casinos Vs. Online Casinos

Since the emergence of a few online casinos in 1996,... Read More

Poker on TV

Poker on TV has been the catalyst that allows millions... Read More