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Learn Poker Tips and
Strategies
1. Don't Play Every Hand / Do Fold More
Probably the number one mistake beginning poker players make is that
they play far too many hands. When you're just starting out playing
poker, you want to play poker, and that means staying in hands that
aren't very good just to be part of the action. But playing more doesn't
mean winning more, it usually means losing more. If you find you're
staying in half or more the hands you're dealt, you need to upgrade your
starting hand requirements.
2. Don't Play Drunk
The truth is, while you may be more relaxed after 2 drinks, it may lead to
you playing looser and less sharply, even if your not 'drunk.'
3. Don't Bluff Just For Bluffing's Sake
A lot of beginner's understand that bluffing is a part of poker, but not
exactly how. There's is NO rule that one must bluff a certain amount or
at all during a poker game, but many players don't feel like they've won
unless they've tried a poker bluff. Bluffs only work in certain
situations & against certain people, and if you know a player always
calls to the showdown, it is literally impossible to bluff that player.
It's better never to bluff than to bluff "just to bluff."
4. Don't Stay in a Hand Just Because You're Already In It
Another common mistake beginners make is to think that "Well, I've
already put that much in the pot, I have to stay in now." Nope. You
can't win a pot just by throwing money at it. There may be cases when
pot odds warrant a call, but if you're sure you're beaten, and there's
no way your hand can improve to be the best hand, you should fold right
away. The money you've already put in the pot isn't yours anymore, and
you can't get it back just by playing a hand all the way to the end.
5. Don't Call at the End of a Hand to "Keep
Someone Honest"
This one follows the last tip. I see a lot of players look at another
player's final bet, look at the hand, & say "I know you've got me, but I
have to keep you honest," as they throw in a final call. It may be worth
it to see if a player really has the hand if you're not sure & you're
gaining information that will help you later on, but if you really feel
a player has the hand he's representing & you're beat, why give him
another pile of your money? Those bets will add up.
6. Don't Play When Mad, Sad, or in a Generally
Bad Mood
When you play poker, you shouldn't do it to escape from being depressed
or having a really bad day. You start out on tilt -- playing
emotionally, not rationally -- and you won't play your best. Likewise,
if during a poker game, you lose a big hand or get sucked out on and
feel yourself going on tilt, stand up & take a break until you feel calm
later on.
7. Do Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table
When you first start playing, it's enough just to remember how to play
and pay attention to your own hand. But once you've got that down, it's
incredibly important to look at what's going on at the table. Make sure
you notice flush & straight possibilities, pay attention to what's
showing & what people have folded when you consider calling opponents.
8. Do Pay Attention to the Other Players
As you play, one of the single best things you can do is observe your
opponents, even when you're not in a hand. If you know that one player
always raises in a certain position, another folds to every re-raise,
you can use that information to help you decide how to play against
them. Once you know that a player always folds to a re-raise, that's
when you can bluff & steal a pot.
9. Don't Play at too High Limits
There are many reasons people move up to a higher limit game than they
usually play. Good reasons like you've been winning consistently at a
lower lever & are ready to move up are fine. Don't play at stakes that
make you think about the actual money in terms of day-to-day life or
with money you can't lose. The next tip explains more why.
10. Do Pick the Right Game for Your Skill
Level & Bankroll
One of the reasons you shouldn't jump into a high stakes game after
winning a huge bunch of money at a lower level is because as the stakes
rise, so does the average skill level of the players sitting there. You
want to be one of the best at the table, not the fish who sits down with
sharks. If you're making stacks of money at a lower level game, why
move? You're winning stacks of money. The swings up & down at higher
limits are much bigger, and one big night's win won't last long at a
high-stakes game
You can play online poker for free
at these established online casinos. Only ever use established casinos
Spin
Palace Free Poker Pursuit
32Red
Free Aces and Face Poker
 
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