You should build a firm betting strategy upon this simple idea. However, it's mandatory to know when to stray and bet in situations when you otherwise wouldn't. You have to sometimes just betray your instincts and fight your impulse. The following are a few situations that need to be looked at to improve your game:
Betting strategy
When a Texas Holdem Poker Player Bets, it's telling your one of the following:
1)"I got the best hand and I'll wager on it" or
2)"You have a weak hand, and you will fold if forced to wager on it".
Usually players bet when they have a good hand. Players with bad hands are supposed to fold. Yeah, if it was only that simple! Contrary to this idea, most players don't follow that general rule. Most attempt to be cunning or deceptive during game play. This is a trap that most new players fall into. It's sorta like putting minnows in a tank full of sharks. The minnows aren't quit aware of the sharks just waiting to eat them alive!
Situation 1: Stealing Blinds
When in the dealer's position and only you and the BB(big blind) & SB (small blind) are remaining, raising at least 3 times the BB in this situation is called "blind-stealing" because the BB & SB may fold. Whereas, if you only called, the blinds would simply check. Of course this won't make you rich if the blinds fold.....it's more of a way to end the round fast for a new deal with more players.....hence, more money!
Situation 2: Steal-Raise
When you are last to act and everyone has checked to you, betting to limit the number of players or steal the pot is called a "steal-raise". Exclusive use of this is a bad idea. The reason is that more experienced players will know what you are up to and begin "check-raising" against your poor hand. I recommend using a steal raise only when you have an excellent drawing hand. That way if your hand draws out, you now have a larger pot to win. If not, you could check and pray for the River to make your hand.
Situation 3: Check-raise
Check raising is when you check your opponent....trying to lure them to bet....that way you can raise them back. The intention is to give them a false sense of security, making them think you don't have a good hand. So when they bet, you can raise them and increase the pot. They may think you are just trying to buy the pot and they may reraise or even go all-in...increasing the pot! I personally love this tactic because he can really take note of who the bluffers are!
Situation 4: The Opener
The opener is a reckless move often taken by bluffers. In short, it's basically a backwards steal-raise. When the person first to act raises and makes all other players call two bets at once. The inteniton is to limit the number of players. The effect will almost certainly cause many players to fold, but the ones remaining will either be equally aggressive or truly have a great hand. This is also known as betting for information. This tactic is best when only a couple of players are left in the hand.
Situation 5: Squeezing
This tatic is only used in a short-handed game. Squeezing is betting when you have a good hand, and suspect a player or players may be on a draw(fishing). Say you are in a hand with 2 pair and you suspect someone is waiting for a flush and only the river card is left. You should bet highly to force them to fold. The goal is to limit their pot odds.