When starting out it with online Texas Hold Em it may be very tempting to want to be involved in every single hand right from the get go as there is always a chance that you might get the winning card on a very poor hand with the magic turn of the river card. Forget about that and instead focus on the basics of betting strategy that will help you to build your bankroll and give you the time to learn the intricacies of the game without it draining your bank account.

There are two basic facts you always have to remember when playing Texas Hold Em. They may seem obvious but it is easy to forget them when you are in the heat of a quick moving game. The first is:

• Your pocket cards are the only thing that differentiates you from everyone else on the table. With five cards face up that everyone can use it's only the extra benefit of these two cards in conjunction with the ones on the table that will get you the win.
• Having understood this, you now have to think about the communal cards and what they could mean to someone else with different pocket cards than yours. Think to yourself if you had the ideal pockets cards what would be the highest possible hand available. The easiest thing to miss when focusing on your own pocket cards and their possibilities is that there is an easy flush or straight available for someone else.

Keeping that in mind once you are dealt your pocket cards you will usually only have a moment to consider whether it is worthwhile to stay in the hand or fold and wait for the next one. Playing online gives you an advantage in this respect as none of the other players can see your reaction when you look at your cards whereas in a live game they would be watching to see your emotion once you look at them.

A strong hand in general is something where both of your cards are 10 or higher if they are not suited, a pair, two numbers in sequence such as a 7 and an 8 for a potential straight or two suited cards giving you the realistic possibility of a flush since you would only required three out of the five face cards to match the same suit as your pocket cards.

If you are the big blind in any particular hand then assuming no one else is betting big before the flop, it is more than likely worth staying in the hand since your money is already committed and seeing the flop. If you have an average to poor hand and someone is betting big without them even seeing the flop then the wisest move is probably to fold your hand even If you know that person is notorious for raising the pot before the flop has even happened.