Poker requires a lot of patience and you need to learn the importance of folding to win big longer term.

You need to fold more than 3 out of 4 hands to win over the longer term and the inability to do this is a common mistake made by novice players.

The adrenalin and the desire to win quickly, means a novice player ends up playing far too many hands, as they have no idea of the importance of folding to make longer term gains

Lets look at why the importance of folding when playing Texas Holdem.

Fact: A good player will need fold most hands, approximately 80% in a 10-player game.

You will often see novice players in Texas holdem making the mistake of paying to see the flop and then chasing straight and flush draws or hoping a low pair stands up against other players.

Hold'em is HIGH card game!

The players holding two good high cards have the best chance at the best hand or a draw to the best hand after the flop.

Therefore only play strong hands that will stand a raise or multiple raises from an early betting position.

Play medium strength and other playable hands from the later positions if, you have a good chance of seeing the flop at a good price to you.

Play strong high hands MOST of the time, and when you receive them play them very aggressively.

You need to take all the raises you can get. If you dont reduce the number of players your chances of taking the pot are considerably reduced.

A high cards game requires patience

Always remember: Texas Hold'em, more than anything else, is a game of high cards and therefore a game of patience. Low cards will simply not pay for themselves in the long run.

The importance of your starting hand

When you look at your two hole cards, if they're not both big enough, you dont belong in the pot, its as simple as that.

The decision you make on how to play your first two cards is of vital importance to your probability of winning the pot, so you need to make the right decision at this vital point in the game.

Determining a good hand

Keep in mind two points:

1. The two cards you hold are the only cards that set you apart from other players at the table and give you a chance to win.

2. All of the face-up cards are community cards, shared by you and ALL the other players

You need to concentrate on what those cards mean to someone elses hand, as much as concentrating on what they could mean to your hand.

Focus on your opponents possibilities of getting a straight or a flush.

How do you know if your cards are good?

This depends on how many players are in the game, but as a general rule you should consider folding before the flop if you have two non-pair cards, both less than 10.

After seeing the flop, don't be afraid to cut your losses, it will save you money longer term.

A common mistake made by novices is to decide their in anyway, so they may as well chance their luck.

The probability of winning however is firmly against them.

Texas holdem is a game of patience and you need to learn the importance of folding to win big longer term.