Are you trying your hand at poker but blaming your losses on luck? Poker can be an addictive game but can also drain out your balance if you aren’t winning. But don’t you worry, we have got you some poker-playing tips that can help you up to your game from a beginner to a pro! These aren’t poker cheat sheets but how you can play smartly without always depending on luck to play its side.
5 Tips to Become a Poker Pro From Beginner
1. Know the Rules: As redundantly obvious as it may sound, always study the rules before playing any game, especially in gambling. There is no easy way of winning poker if you don’t know the fundamental rules of the game. The rules may differ from one casino to another, so spend some time understanding the hand ranking chart, flush stack, position of cards, and so on.
2. Play Fewer Hands but Concentrate Hard: Playing online or in person, do not play too many hands or tables. And having an unflinching concentration in your game is crucial. Learn to observe the table and your opponents. Play tight instead of being very aggressive and giving in to the draws. Learn from your losses and study the cards of your opponent, what made them win, identify the positions that work and implement.
3. Start with Lower Stakes: The impulse to play higher stakes and win big money is on everybody’s mind, but as a beginner, it is best to be safe than sorry (in this case, bankrupt). Begin your game to learn the strategies, understand the fundamentals, and not just win the game. Play against the weaker players, understand the poker hands, and gradually move to higher stakes.
4. Discuss your Game with Other Players: One of the best ways to get better at the game is recognizing if your losses are based on luck or your poor play. Discuss the bad draws with the stronger players and gauge their opinion. Be open to criticism about your gameplay and learn how you could have turned it in your favor.
5. Don’t Base Your Play on Bluffing: Bluffing is a part of poker but the knowledge of when to bluff is important. Bluffing inappropriately will make you lose your money quicker than you expected. Learn the tactic of semi-bluff, where you raise the bet on the flop without having a big value for your hand. If your opponent folds without any doubt, you win the pot!
6. Target Your Opponent’s Weakness: To scale up the wins in poker, you need to be able to read through your opponent’s cards and their behavior. This usually works when playing face-to-face, it gets difficult in online poker. But when you are facing your opponent, observe where they feel discomfort, if they are thinking too long, notice their reactions. And the moment you spot their weakness is when you aggressively attack with your best bet.
