Making Big Bets

  What is the best way for a novice player to level the playing field when playing No Limit Holdem? Well unless you can slip something into the drinks of everyone around you the best way to close the gap between your minutes of experience and their years in the game is to use your chips like a hammer.  Newer players involving themselves in the No Limit version of the game should utilize the strategy of making larger than expected bets before the flop. The reason for this is two-fold. First of all, you will probably scare away some of the opponents who are holding nothing but marginal cards. If your bet was small, there would not be much of a financial disincentive for seeing the flop. But if your bet was a big one, you have forced them to make a decision about what they are going to do instead of allowing the luxury of reflexively calling.  The second reason for making a big bet goes hand in hand with the first reason. A small bet will not encourage other people to fold, and leave you facing a number of players. In a multi-way pot there are more variables for the novice to consider, more scenarios involved, and more decisions than most new players can comfortably make. If you are short handed or heads up with another player the situation is clearer cut, and fewer decisions need to be made. This levels the playing field to an extent and gives the novice a better chance.  Good Luck!