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Strategy Variations

Deceptive strategy variations in Texas Hold'em Poker can be costly.

Texas Hold 'em Poker players and hold 'em experts know that you should vary your play to confuse and bewilder the other players. If you play every hand the same way, you risk being labeled a robot by your fellow players and you won't get any respect at the poker table. Not only that, you'll have to endure all the poker articles and player remarks about how easy you are to beat in hold 'em poker because you're so predictable.

A common strategy variation in hold 'em poker is slow playing strong hands. Slow play can sometimes build larger pots, but slow playing your strong hands can cost you money in the long run because observant players will then know when your hand is weak. You will have far more weak hands than strong hands so be careful not to give away any information if you like to slow play.

Some people slow play every hand. They don't give any clues about their hole cards and it's difficult to put them on a hand. They are referred to as calling stations, but calling is not a winning strategy in Texas Hold 'em Poker.

Switching from betting to check raising might have some value as a variation in play if you can change your strategy without revealing any information about your hole cards.

I have never knowingly played or observed a recognized authority on Texas Hold 'em Poker. I have played hold 'em poker with a buttload of crossroaders and other players that I call professionals because they win consistently.

I have never seen a winning Texas Hold 'em Poker player that did much in the way of varying their play. They do nothing to give you any information about their hand. You won't know if they're betting the nuts or running a complete bluff. They're predictable alright. They win.