Limit shorthand poker strategy

Let's say you are in the middle of a game of poker – the game is limit shorthand. There are some situations you might wanna take a look at to make a better idea of what strategies and actions you should think of.

When in preflop and you just realize you have been dealt a pocket pair, a small one then you must think if your pot is a large one. If you are indeed in a multiway pot, then your pocket pair might just work, even if it is one less than seven. If you are in a blind position and all others just called the big blind, then you should just check to enter the flop cheap. But, if you are on the button and before you there are one raise and a fold, then the best thing to do is to force the blinds by reraising.

Once you get yourself on the flop you should just do the justifiable thing: fold if you didn't hit or continue if you did hit.

When in a shorthand game, if you want to bluff on the flop then you might consider bluffing when you are up against one or two players tops. Simple bluffing here, you have nothing because of a weird flop, and the thing is that when few players are involved they will probably have nothing also, so you should just go ahead with it, it might work. If they call you then decide whether to go on or not. Analyze the odds you have for a draw and consider that if they are also bluffing, what your chances for the plot are. So, if your hand is made only of low cards, just check or even fold most times because they can have a better kicker.

There are some things you should never do in a shorthand game like going for the draw when you have just an Ace and there are others that went in. They might have a pocket pair or a better kicker and you would lose.

Always try to play within your bankroll. These types of games take a long time to really win. You don't want to risk loosing a hand and then have no more money to wait for the winning pot. If are simply playing your cards in a shorthand game you are making a very big mistake. You should consider that strategies are easy to apply here and others will try them. You should always pay attention to other and try to play their hands also - it is a crucial part of shorthand strategy.