In order to reach the intermediate level, you will need to play for at least a few months and absorb the naunces of limit hold 'em at beginner level strategy unless you have a steep learning curve, and the ability to read players well. This chapter will cover how to "steal the blinds", the "majority play hands", a "calling" theory on how to play small pairs, the "re-raising" theory on how to play small pairs, how to play KQ and how to "trap" players through "slow playing" and "smooth calling".

At the beginner level, it is advised you only play the "top ten hands" but at intermediate standard you can add the "majority play hands" to the mix. The majority play hands are 66, 55, 44, 33, 22, A-x suited and KQ. (A-x uited means Ace with any other card of the same suit).

In hold 'em theres a strategy called "stealing the blinds", one that can yield a few chips in certain circumstances, even with a worthless hand at minimal risk. In tough games , you will see a lot of folding before the flop. In a lot of occasions, if everybody has folded round to the button, then this player will usually raise in the hope that both the small and big blind will fold too. In this case, the player on the button would keep the blind money. Even with weak hands like 9-6, players will often raise in this postion in order to "steal the blinds". The real strength in blind stealing on the button is that this player has the best position, giving them an advantage in the rest of the hand, with the fact they would be acting last at every stage. Two key reasons for folding when in the blinds is that you are in bad position and it could be possible that the player on the button could, in fact, have a strong starting hand.

In playing the majority play hands, pairs 22 through 66 could be classified in the same value, with A-x suited slightly lower and KQ being the weakest of the list.

Most theories agree that you should be the first raiser with small pairs before the flop, making it "two bets to go". However, when it is already two bets to go to you, a common theory says you could either call for two bets or muck your hand. Some top players would want you to call two bets in order to lure other players into calling and therefore "build the pot" in the hope that you flop a set (3 twos for example). Although this sounds good on paper, please note that you will flop a set only 1 in every 8 tries. If the flop comes down J-10-2, your 33 hand pre flop looks very weak and with other players in the hand, you would be forced to fold. This could also be a plus when playing small players, where folding this type of hand is an easy decision for you and not a lot of thinking is required. If you hit your set you jam it, if you miss the flop, you fold.

Other players have another preference when playing small pairs. Some like to re-raise before the flop and then "represent" whatever hits the flop. You have showed strength pre flop and you show that you have hit it on the flop also. This is a more deceptive approach than just to call the two bets and gives you a bigger chance to win pots when you miss the flop. Finally, If someone makes it 3 bets to go to you, theres a good possibility your small pair is a big underdog in the hand and folding would be a good option.

Once you add A-x suited to your arsenal of hands, you will need to pursue this hand within certain constraints: 1. Never call with A-x suited when its 3 bets to go to you before the flop. Possibly if you have AJs in the big blind or even A10, at this point it maybe ok to call. (AQ and AK were covered in Beginners guide), 2. Make it two bets to go when no one else has entered the pot before you, thus representing a strong hand, stronger than what you actually have. This gives you the oppertunity of maybe winning the blinds if everyone else folds, 3. If there are other callers in front of you, calling one bet is a good move. If you hit the flop, you can be aggressive but if you miss the flop you can fold your hand with only losing one bet and finally, 4. if someone raises before you, just call the two bets.

Now we move on to playing KQ before the flop. Just like A-x suited, there are a few rules you should follow when playing KQ: 1. Never call three bets with KQ, the last thing you want to do is get too involved in a hand with these cards for that money. You could almost guarantee that you are beaten at this point in the hand. 2. Always raise it to two bets with KQ before the flop, irrespective of anybody limping in before you, make it two bets to go. 3. If someone else makes it two bets to go before you, use your best judgement on whether to call, raise or fold. If a loose or crazy player has raised, sometimes you could consider making it three best to go but if the tight or conservative player at the table raises, maybe the best option is to fold as you would usually put these players on stronger hands than KQ. Always consider your position when making these plays (1st to act - poor position, last to act - good position). Playing the "majority play hands" before the flop is the easiest part, on the flop it gets more difficult.

The flop

You can use the "raise to find out where you are" method when playing the majority hands but its not as powerful as if you were playing the top ten hands. However, playing these extra hands will dramatically change your table image and also, it will alter the power of the hands you are playing. Table image is the way you are viewed by the other players at the table. People fear your hands when you play the top ten hands only, giving your hand respect but when they see you playing these extra hands, the players concentrating on your play will be more eager to call or raise you and therefore fear your hands less.

Also, when you add all these extra hands to the list of your top ten hands, you will notice yourself playing well over twice as many hands as before. Therefore the power of your average hand will go down and over a period of time, your opponents will perceive this aswell. Discretion and deception now become very important. In poker, courage and aggressiveness are winning traits and you will win more pots by playing your hands aggressively, but not wrecklessly. There is a time to throw your hands awayafter the flop, rather than putting up a fight. Sometimes saving bets is the way to playand the only way to do this is to fold hands.

In general, if there are four people in the pot when the flop comes down with you having a small pair, flopping a set is the only way you could continue in this hand unless you have an over pair and an open-ended straght draw. This too is an encouraging flop for you but obviously not as good as flopping your set. When you have this over pair, raising is the best option as to protect your hand, because although you have certain options to strengthen your hand later on, at this point all you have is a pair. On the other hand, if the flop comes down with three over-cards to your pair and no 'draws', it could be time to dump your hand. If you do hit your set, you want to be aggressive and make bets and raises as to get more money in the pot or as some say, to "pump it".

When playing A-x suited, even if you have missed the flop, it is still a good idea to bet, to represent that you have actually hit the flop, even when you haven't. If somebody calls you, be prepared to fold your hand very soon. Don't get too involved and bluff off money for no reason. If someone else has been the aggressor before the flop and you have missed the flop, be prepared to fold.

When you get a small piece of the flop with, say, a flush draw (this would be the nut flush draw as you are holding the ace), playing the hand aggressively would be the best option especially when you are in good position. When you do this, you are probably required to make a call on 4th street and with your betting on the flop, it shows strength and it could also give you an option of bluffing on 4th street to win the pot. With pot odds, if you get to the river and all you have now is ace high, with the amount of money likely to be in the pot, calling 1 bet on the river too is not a bad play.

When you get a strong flop for your hand, you need to work out what is the best way to maximise the number of bets. As has been said, jamming the pot is a good play but another option could be to slow play. This would give the impression to the table that your hand is "weak" and maybe encourage other players to bet into you because sometimes, if you do raise with a "monster" hand, you could scare people off the hand and not get the most money possible out of them.

KQ is possibly the weakest of these majority hands. Others would argue 22 or A6 to be the weakest and good arguements could be made for both. With KQ, this is a hand that you need to hit on the flop if you are going to continue. When you do hit KQ, it is best to jam the flop to protect your hand but when you miss, you should fold.

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