While the players are directed to beginners, there's poker tips that even seasoned pros should remind themselves from time to time.
- Do not Turn Every Hand / Do Fold More
Perhaps the number one mistake beginning poker players make is that they play too many hands. When you've just started playing poker, you want to play poker, and that means staying in hands that are not only very good to be part of the action. But playing more does not mean winning more, it usually means losing more. If you find you're staying in half or more in your hands handled, you need to upgrade your starting hand requirements.
- Do not Play Drunk
Countless nights have I sat at the table from some one watched them get plastered silly and throw away the entire pile of chips. I have one, too - and there are nights where you just play with friends for low stocks and is more about fun than the poker - but if you are in a casino, watch the alcohol. The truth is, when you may be more relaxed after 2 drinks, it may cause you to play looser and less sharply, even if someone does not 'drunk. "
Related: Vote: Should Poker Players be Allowed to Take in the Tournament?
When you first start playing, it was enough just to remember how to play and watch your own hands. But once you've got that down, it is very important to see what was happening on the table. In Texas Hold'em, figure out what would best to fit the hand flop. Make sure you see the flush & straight possibilities. In 7-card stud, pay attention to what the show what people have folded when you consider calling opponents.
- Do not Pay Attention to the Players
When you play, one of the best things you can do is observe your opponent, even when you're not in the hands. If you know if one player always raises a certain position, & another has a poker tell when he bluffs, & a 3rd fold to any re-raise, you can use the information to help you decide how to play against them. Once you know that player 3 always folds to raise the river again, that's when you can bluff & steal the pot.
- Do not Bluff Just For bully's Sake
Many beginners who understand that bluffing is a part of poker, but not exactly how. There is NO rule that one must bluff a certain amount or at all during the game of poker, but many players do not feel like they've won unless they've tried to bluff poker. Bluffs only work in certain situations & against certain people, and if you know a player always calls to the showdown, it is really not possible to bully players. Better than never bluff bluff "just to bluff."
Learn more about bluffing dos and don'ts
- Do not Stay in a Hand Just Because You're Already In It
Another common mistake beginners make is to think that "Well, I've put that many in the pot, I have to live in now." Nope. You can not win the pot just by throwing money. There may be cases when pot chances summons, but if you believe you are beaten, and there is no way you can improve your hand to be the best hand, you have to fold immediately. The money you've put into the pot is not yours anymore, and you can not get back to playing only with his hands all the way until the end.
- Do not Call at the End of Hand to "Keep Someone Honest"
Follows last tip. I saw many players saw the other players bet the last, saw in hand, & said "I know you got me, but I have to keep you honest," when they threw the last call. Maybe worth to see if the players really have your hands if you're not sure & you get information that will help you in the future, but if you really feel a player has a hand he's representing & you're beat, why give him another pile of your money ? They're betting will add more than one night.
- Do not Play When Mad, Sad, or in a Generally Bad Mood
When you play poker, you should not do it to escape from feeling depressed or having a really bad. You start out on tilt - playing emotionally, not rationally - and you're not going to play the best. Similarly, if during a poker game, you lose a big hand or get sucked out and feel yourself going tilt, stand & rest until you feel calm later on. Fellow players will sense your mood and take advantage of it.
Learn more about reading poker tells
- Do not be too tall to play in the Limits
There are many reasons people turn to play higher limits than they usually play. A good reason as they have been winning consistently at a lower lever & are ready to move up, & bad reasons like the shorter lines for the limits higher or you want to impress someone. Do not play the stock that makes you think about the actual money in terms of everyday life or with money you can not lose. Even if you have one super-good night at $ 2 / 4, refrained from playing $ 5 / 10. The next tip explains more why.
- Do not Choose the Right Game for Your Skill Level bankroll
One reason you should not jump to U.S. $ 5 / 10 game after winning a large amount of money at $ 2 / 4 is because as the stakes rose, so did the level of the average ability of the players sitting there. You want to be one of the best on the table, not the fish who sits with sharks. If you make a pile of money at a lower level game, why move? You win a pile of money. Swing up & down at higher limits much larger, and one night a big win will not last long in a high-risk game.
