Many of the decisions that you will make at the poker table will be based on the flop or will stem from the flop later in the hand. This article focuses on good starting hand selection, along with key position tips and a quick guide to optimum preflop betting. Preflop strategyīefore the flop is where it all starts, so learn how to get the foundations started correctly. Individual betting round strategy articles. There is also a list of useful articles at the end of each guide for further information on different concepts and plays that you can use at each stage in the hand. The individual Texas Holdem strategy articles found on this site will help to fine tune different aspects of your game, but it is here that you will find the fundamental principles behind playing a winning Texas Holdem hand. It is important to learn how to play each round profitably. Many players can play certain rounds well, but struggle on others. Knowing how to play a poker hand well from start to finish is not an easy skill to learn. The Texas Holdem hand guide below will take you through each stage of a poker hand from the preflop round to the river, and give you a brief overview of the strategy you should try and employ as well as the thought processes behind making profitable decisions at each stage of the hand. Hand Guide: Preflop > Flop > Turn > River