Shorthand game is a game with tables of 6 or even less people. It is rather specific kind of game and it's not for passive players. When choosing a game to take part in - look for limpers. It will be a good game for you.

Your cards

So, let's fancy that you have chosen your game. What is the next step? To find out if your hand is worth starting with. Your can raise if you have:

AT or higher
KQ
QJ
JT

 If someone at the table raised… call if you have:

AQ
AK
AJ (depends on the situation – be careful)
KJ
AT (depends on the situation – be careful)
JQ

   If you want to reraise – stop and think. Try to understand who is your opponent: if he is a maniac and you have a pair or A9 (and higher) – reraise. Else – do it only with high pairs.

    If you have suited connectors and you’re in late position – call only if other players have limped. AGAIN – try to understand your opponent’s style. Aggressive? Then limp with these cards or small pairs. If you have a good hand – you can raise.

   Now look at the flop. Fancy there comes:

    






 While your hole cards:

  





  You have a pair. Bet. There’s a chance that your opponent will fold. If one of your opponents calls, you can check. What does he probably have? A pair? You have a pair too. Look at your opponent (don’t stare! Just look…). Is he a maniac? Call him down. Passive player at the table? You have a good choice: to raise or to fold.

   If you folded – don’t read further. For those who raised – now:
If your opponent calls – maybe he’s drawing – you can bet. If you don’t think he’s on a draw – check the turn.

Tips

 1. Outs
   Your should know the number of cards that will make you winning hand. This will help you to choose the best action:
   2x+2 (where x is the number of such cards) is the percentage of hitting at the next card. What number do you have? Don’t say it to me – there is another way to use it: you should divide the pot by that. Then compare what you’ve got with the size of bet: if the bet is smaller, don’t think – call.

 2. Bluff
   It works only in $5-10 games and higher.
   Pure bluffs will not help you in limit game but sometimes you can try.
   Semi-bluff. It can be used when you CAN make a hand but haven’t made yet.

Example

       FLOP






     YOUR CARDS





You have a good chance to make a Flush. Bet! It is the situation when you should bluff
But still the semi-bluff tactic is effective at high levels. Don’t forget about it.