Poker is a fun and popular game, but people who are new to playing in casinos tend to make many of the same mistakes. Here are some ideas to help rookies play a better game and increase their chance of winning.
Bluffing is a Tactic, not the Game
Bluffing should be a carefully used tool. Movies and TV dramas might make poker and bluffing seem one and the same, but it’s not the case in reality if winning is the goal. A perpetual bluffer is easy to spot by other players , especially if the player is a rookie.
Poker is a Game of Patience
Playing poker means putting in the time. One of the keys to poker is for a player to wait for good cards to come his or her way. There can be a lot of time that passes between getting good hands, and it means folding game after game. This can feel boring, and new players can get impatient and play hands that they know aren’t very good. Players need to realize that this is a game of patience. They need to find ways to resist playing just for playing sake, and wait for the right cards for the best outcome.
Know When to Walk Away
Spending too long at the table can also be detrimental. Sitting at the table for hours and hours, a player’s brain is not working at its best. Rookies can also get caught up in trying to win their money back. They can get burnt out and are less on top of their game as their desperation grows and as more money is lost. They can wind up spending even more cash than they originally planned to. After too many hours playing, avoid the mental trap of convincing oneself that things will get better for the next game. Keep an eye on the clock, and know when to walk away and get some rest and come back fresh for another day.
When to Stay or Leave
There is no magical formula for when to stay for another game or when to stop playing for the day. But, a common mistake by many new poker players is to call it quits after making a few minor wins and to keep on forking out money when they are losing. It’s more advantageous to take the opposite strategies for these two situations.
If a player is winning, he or she has a stronger stance at the table and it can be used to the player’s advantage. If a player is on a losing streak, he or she has less presence at the table. It can also wear down the person’s confidence and negatively impact how he or she plays the game.
Drinking Alcohol and Playing Poker
Getting free drinks can seem like one of the perks of going to a casino. But, being sober is more helpful for winning games than having one’s mind clouded by alcohol. Booze tends to make people less inhibited and it can make players more inclined to use poor judgement and play hands they shouldn’t.
Tips for playing poker include bluffing selectively, practicing patience by waiting for good hands, not playing for too many hours, and staying sober during the game.
Check out more Poker Tips for New Players and How to Win at Poker.
Reference: Negreanu, Daniel. Hold’Em Wisdom for All Players. New York, New York: Cardoza Publishing, 2007.
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