Using This Book

As stated in the introduction, this book will require you to do
a great deal ofthinking. It is recommended that the whole book be
read first, then you can return to those sections that require more
study. Also, if you are new to hold 'em you should memorize the
hand rankings and how to play the first two cards. We see no
better way to master this area of play. However, after you have
gained the requisite experience, you will begin to see where it is
appropriate to deviate from "correct" strategy and you will begin
to think in terms of the actual hand itself rather than hand
"groups." Almost all top players do this, although you should not
get carried away. The text will supply plenty of discussion in this
area.
We also recommend that you not jump right into a $40-$80
or higher limit game. Even though the strategies in this book will
win their share at the $40-$80 limit, especially if your opposition
is not too tough, it is still better to start lower and work your way
up. In a game as complex as Texas hold 'em, there is no substitute
for experience.
Keep in mind, when trying to master hold 'em, that at times
many of the following concepts will seem to contradict each
other. For example, some concepts might recommend that you bet
your hand right out, while other concepts will advise you to go for
a check-raise. One of She keys to successful hold 'em play is to
balance these ideas, which will help you select the best strategy
the vast majority of the time.
Finally, the game that we address (unless otherwise noted) is
a structured-limit game. This game has two blinds, both to the
dealer's left, with the first (small) blind being either one-half or
two-thirds the size of the second (big) blind. All bets and raises
before the flop and on the flop are equal to the size of the big
blind, and all bets and raises on fourth street (known as the turn)
and fifth street (known as the river) are double the size of the big blind. If you play in a game with a different structure, some of the
ideas and concepts that this text discusses will not be totally
accurate and adjustments must be made. However, the section
titled "Non-standard Games" should help you in this area.