Texas Holdem Strategy – The Perfect Tips 

You can't overstate the importance of learning texas holdem strategy. Yet, it’s surprising how many players jump into the game without any preparation! It’s like watching Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather fight without gloves. That’s what it feels like to risk your bankroll without a clear plan.

This strategy guide from 888poker will equip you with everything you need to know before stepping into the Texas Hold’em arena.

Let’s get started.

Texas Holdem Strategy: The 5 Golden Rules

If you asked a hundred people to explain the difference between strategy and tactics, few would get it right. Tactics are short-term moves, while strategy involves long-term planning. In poker, you use tactics during the hand, but strategy is what wins you the game.

There are five key strategic areas you need to focus on when playing Texas Hold’em cash games. For tournament players, check out our poker tournament tips for more advanced advice.

While many tips make up good poker strategy, mastering these five “Golden Rules” will make you better than most Texas Hold’em players:

Top 5 Texas Holdem Strategy Tips:

1. Choose opening hands that can make you money in any situation.
2. Observe the table and size your bets correctly.
3. Avoid limping — it’s usually a losing play.
4. Know when to fold to maximize your profits.
5. Use your position to gain an advantage over opponents.

1. Starting with Opening Hands

The hands you choose to play in Texas Hold’em are critical. However, starting hands are just one piece of the puzzle — your position at the table plays a major role in deciding which hands to play. Generally, you can widen your opening hand range as you get closer to the Button.

Want to improve your game? Explore more Texas Holdem strategy tips and start dominating the table.

You should also consider the number of players in a hand. Hands can have less value (how much you can get paid off) against 1 player than when you're up against 6. On the flip side, these same hands can have greater bluffing value when heads-up because you only have one opponent to convince you have the nuts!

So, part of the process of choosing opening hands in your Texas Holdem strategy is not only about hand strength, but also about how that hand can make you money in different situations. For example, a small suited connector plays better as a bluff heads-up but more for value in a multi-way pot. It’s unlikely you'll get paid off with a suited connector type hand heads-up, and even less likely you’ll be able to bluff effectively in a multi-way pot.

When selecting opening hands, be aware of how your hand will generate value after the flop. If you don’t know, you’re essentially playing blind — and that’s not good poker.

2. Bet Sizing with Confidence

In No Limit cash games, players can bet any amount they have in front of them. This freedom causes trouble for many, making bet sizing the second most crucial part of your Texas Hold’em strategy.

Pre-Flop Bet Sizing

Follow the standard raise sizes at your table. For beginners, sticking to a 2.5xBB pre-flop raise is ideal. Odd or unusual bet sizes confuse opponents and often lead to unwanted calls. Keep your bet sizes familiar to make the game easier to control.

Post-Flop Bet Sizing

After raising pre-flop, a continuation bet (c-bet) is almost mandatory. Aim for 50%-70% of the pot. A properly sized c-bet conveys strength and often forces folds, even if you missed the flop.

Example: In a $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em cash game, if you hold Pocket Jacks and raise 2.5xBB pre-flop, and the Button calls, a well-sized c-bet (around 2/3 pot) on a flop with a scare card like an Ace can push opponents out of the hand.

Bluff Bet Sizing

When bluffing, size your bets based on your opponent's likely reaction. Betting too much can backfire if called. For instance, in a $20 pot, betting $10 instead of $20 might be better if your opponent is likely to fold to a smaller bet.

Value Bet Sizing

When you have a strong hand, bet enough to extract value but not so much that you scare opponents away. For example, betting $20 into a $50 pot when holding top pair might leave money on the table if your opponent calls with a weaker hand.

Mastering bet sizing is key to maximizing your profits and minimizing losses in your texas holdem strategy.

The player who succeeds most in games like Hold’em is the one who makes fewer bet sizing mistakes. Of course, you won’t see your opponents’ cards before betting, but using the information available—how your opponent plays and the hand’s action—you can find the right bet size.

For example, a loose caller may call you down with middle pair. When holding a strong hand, you can size your bets bigger for value versus a tighter opponent who’s more likely to fold.

3. No Limping Allowed!

Top online poker players tend to open-raise when first entering a pot. If someone else has raised, they’ll call, 3-bet, or fold based on the situation.

5 Reasons Why Limping Harms Your Texas Holdem Strategy

1. Limping in late position lets blinds see the flop cheaply with mediocre hands. Steal those blinds instead!
2. Limping often means playing too many weak hands. If you can’t raise them, fold ’em!
3. Limping usually puts you post-flop against multiple opponents with weak holdings, leaving you guessing.
4. Limping out of position is risky. You might hit a weak top pair and lose to a better kicker.
5. If you miss the flop, you become "dead money" in the pot—chips from players who folded.

Good players rarely open limp. The only time it’s okay is in super-passive games where you can cheaply see the flop with speculative hands like suited connectors that have good implied odds.

When folded to you, your best move is to raise or fold. Raising gains control and pressures callers. Limpers are usually targeted as weak players—and often rightfully so.

Unless you’re in a cheap multi-way pot with suited connectors or set-mining small pairs, avoid open limping like the plague!

4. Knowing When to Fold

Folding is as crucial as betting in winning Texas Holdem strategy. Many amateurs lose because they don’t fold when they should.

Folding preserves your bankroll. It’s often the least understood path to profit.

Example: In a $1/$2 cash game, holding A-6 off-suit in the small blind, with an early limp and a 2.5xBB raise, folding saves you money. Calling out of position with a weak hand is often costly.

Fold enough in such situations, and you save significant money over a session. Loose calling leads to likely losses and being outmatched by better kickers or over-pairs.

Simple math: fold right, increase profits.

5. Using Position Effectively

“Position” is a key poker concept, giving you a major advantage over opponents.

1. When “in position,” you see opponents act before deciding, giving you more information—like getting the first move.
2. Position lets you widen your starting hand range. You can attack blinds with broader ranges and play more multi-way pots profitably.
3. Post-flop, position helps you bluff better, value bet more effectively, make precise river calls, and improve overall decisions.

Players who use position wisely often turn losing sessions into winning ones.

Apply all 5 Texas Holdem strategy tips and watch your bankroll grow!