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Since we are all on lockdown, many people have rediscovered online poker, specifically Texas Hold 'Em. While pay money sites are not legal, there are a lot of free card rooms and player-money exchange rooms where you can hone your game. We started a free poker club on Pokerstars.net with tournaments every night at 8 p.m. for no real money. We also do noon tournaments.
On Saturday, we will be doing an online charity tournament.
Maybe you are stuck with your family and want to get a game going to stay busy. This will work for you as well. This is just a basic introduction to get you started. There are a lot of good resources out there once you master the basics.
So if you are looking for something to do and have only a passing knowledge of the game, here are five tips that will get you on your way.
1) Learn the basic rules
It sounds silly, but knowing which hand beats what is important. This will give you a detailed look at the basics. If nothing else, learn the ranking of each hand. You can also observe tables once you join our poker club. Pay attention to what is happening with the other players and familiarize yourself with the software and how the game is played. Pay particular attention to the players who are winning the most chips.
2) Start with the free games
This is an excellent chance to get involved, learn and see what the game is like with no risk. Most of the people in the poker club are pretty good players, so you will get a chance to test your skills without losing any money. The game will change when you play for dollars, but when you are learning, this is a good way to start.
3) Limit your hands at the beginning
When first getting started, playing tight is the best way to learn. Unless you are in the blinds, stick to top starting 10 hands:
1. AA
2. KK
3. QQ
4. AK (same suit)
5. JJ
6. 10-10
7. AK (different suits)
8. AQ (suited)
9. 9-9
10. AJ (suited)
Or you can use this table, which ranks all the hands, although slightly different.
As you become more familiar with the game, you can begin to expand which hands you play.
4) Understand the importance of position
If you have the button, you will be last to act after the flop. This is a big advantage; the later position you are in, the more advantage you will have. Think of it as being the dealer in blackjack. You don't have to act until everyone else does. Again, knowing how to take advantage of this will come with more practice.
5) Find your personality
Eventually, your game will match your life. If you are a wild risk-taker, you will likely develop an aggressive game. If you are a passive person, you will likely be a tight player. But there are many ways to win. Early on, avoid too much bluffing. You will figure out the right times to do it as you learn more and become more accustomed to the game. But let your personality dictate how you play as your skills develop.
The bottom line
This is just a starting point if you have been interested and want to mess around a little and see if you can learn. Use losses as learning experiences; go back and evaluate what you did right and wrong. Sometimes you will just make a bad play. Sometimes you will get outplayed. Sometimes you are just unlucky. As Matt Dean used to say, "decisions, not outcomes." The more right decisions you make, the better off you will be in the long run.
Questions? Hit me up at faour975@gmail.com
Baltimore rookie right-hander Brandon Young lost his bid for the first perfect game in Orioles history with four outs remaining Friday night in a 7-0 win over the Houston Astros.
Young retired the first 23 batters he faced, only to have his shot at history end on slow grounder to the third base side by Houston second baseman Ramon Urìas.
With two outs in the eighth inning, Urìas, facing the Orioles for the first time since being traded last month, hit a 56 mph grounder between the mound and third base line. Young fielded the ball, but his off-balanced throw sailed wide of first base. Urías was awarded an infield single.
Young struck out the next batter to end the eighth. His eight innings pitched were a career high, and he matched his career best with six strikeouts
A native of Lumberton, Texas, less than 100 miles northeast of Houston, Young entered the game 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA through the first 10 starts of his big league career.
Yaramil Hiraldo retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the Orioles first one-hitter since May 24, 2024.
Astros starter Framber Valdez (11-6) kept the Orioles in check until the fourth when Colby Mayo hit a two-out, solo home run.
Baltimore added to the lead in the fifth after loading the bases. With one-out, Gunnar Henderson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and a second run scored on the play when Jésus Sánchez’s throw got past catcher Yainer Diaz.
After Henderson brought home a run in seventh, Dylan Carlson capped a three-run eighth inning with a two-run homer to give the Orioles a 7-0 lead.
Valdez allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Astros’ lead over Seattle in the AL West slipped to a half-game.
Key moment
Urias’ infield single with two outs in the eighth inning to break up Young’s bid for a perfect game.
Key stat
John Means threw the Orioles last no-hitter on May 5, 2021.
Up next
Houston RHP Jason Alexander (3-1, 5.02 ERA) opposes LHP Cade Povich (2-6, 4.95) Saturday.