Big Do's and Don'ts in Poker

When a rookie begins to play poker, all he or she wants is to play poker which results in staying in hands that are not strong enough. Playing more does mean losing more.

If you notice that you are staying in more than half the hands that are dealt, you are probably playing too many hands. It is advisable to play in 2 out of every 10 hands dealt. This is especially true when participating in tournaments. 

In a low stakes game or when playing with friends, it’s more about the fun than really winning. But if you are competing in a tournament or in a high stakes game it is important to watch your alcohol intake. More than two drinks affect your judgment and it gets difficult to remember your opponent’s moves.  

Bluffing is an integral part of poker but bluffs don’t always work especially against certain players who will always call for a showdown. Bluffs work in certain situations and against select people. Beginners are better advised not to bluff rather than bluff for the sake of bluffing. 

Many beginners are tempted to stay in the game because they have put a lot of chips into the pot. If the chances of your hand improving are slim it is advisable to fold right away. You don’t win pots by throwing money at it. The money you already put in the pot can’t be won by playing all the way down to the river card. Don’t look at the other final bets, instead look at the hand and throw in a final call. Never call at the end of a hand. 

Poker is not a remedy for depression, never play poker if you are feeling down and depressed. Your play is affected and you play emotionally rather than rationally; you will lose a lot of money fast as you will not be on top of your game. If during a game you lose a big hand and begin to feel that you are going on tilt, it is advisable that you take a break until your nerves have calmed down. Other players will notice your situation and will take advantage of it. It’s normal for players to go on a tilt after losing a big bet. 

Beginners are better off taking care of their own hand but it’s also important to be aware of what’s happening on the table. It’s important to know what other players are showing and what they have folded when you decide to call your opponents. While playing poker it is advisable to observe your opponents even if you are not in the hand.

Make a mental note of player behavior; some players will raise when in a certain position while some players fold when there is a re-raise and some will have a poker tell when they bluff. All this information can be used when playing against them. If you know that a certain player always folds to a re-raise you can easily bluff and steal the pot. 

Don’t move to higher limit games because you have lost money at lower limit games. If you do that chances are you will lose even more. Moving to higher limit games is advisable when you are consistently winning at lower limit games.

Moving to a higher limit game will not get your money back. Don’t play a game with the money that you need for day to day life. If you have won at a lower limit game don’t go and play at a higher limit game. Remember as the stakes increase so does the skills of the players at the table, one big night earnings won’t last long at a high stakes table.

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