Poker is partially a game of luck. You can’t control what cards you are dealt and in what order they come- that’s the luck of the draw. You also can’t control how good a hand your opponents are dealt…but that’s where the luck part of the game ends. The rest of poker is all about your skill because the only thing in the game that you can control is how you handle what you’re dealt and what you make of your hand.
There’s a lot that you need to know to be a good poker player; when to make a poker block bet, when to hold back, when to bluff, and when to call someone’s bluff. It’s a pretty intimidating game to learn from scratch, but we’ve got a number of tips that will help get your poker game from average to outstanding.
Don’t Play THAT Hand
Many people have a particular hand that they absolutely love for whatever reason. Maybe they routinely win when that hand comes up in their cards, maybe they got that hand the first time they played, and now it feels lucky to them. The thing is, poker is not a game of superstition; it takes the luck of the draw and then the skill of the player to turn that luck into a win. That hand you love so much might not be a great hand, and it might not be a great hand to play in whichever position you find yourself when it’s dealt. Don’t give in to that superstition or nostalgia, and only play hands that make sense and will save you from a total wipeout or get you closer to a win.
Have a Reason
Our second point follows the first one nicely. Whatever you do, have a reason for it. Think ahead and don’t just “panic play”: making any move because you’re stressed out and you feel backed into a corner. Make sure that you take the time to assess all your options and mentally play them out before you make your play. Make a well-reasoned argument to yourself about why this move is the best one and will take you further in the game than any of the others will. Think before you act, and you’ll go far.
Use a Consistent Strategy
Instead of flailing around all over the place, find a poker strategy that works for you and use it consistently. Changing things up because you feel bored or concerned is never the best move to make! A strategy only works if you apply it all the time, not just some of the time. Every hand and every session counts and should all be treated and approached similarly. The best players are the ones who know that consistency is the key every time.
Know When To Hold Em, Know When To Fold Em
Our next tip is best immortalized by the one and only Kenny Rogers: Know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ‘em. Knowing when to fold your Aces is a key part of getting as far as possible in a game. Recognize patterns (certain patterns are particularly easy to recognize at lower stakes) and let go of a good-looking hand when the right chance comes along. Don’t hold onto your cards for longer than you need to.
Understand How Tilt Hurts You
Tilt- a negative emotional response to a game going badly- is to a poker player what aphids are to a gardener: destructive and discouraging. Sometimes things go badly, and there’s not much you can do to change that; that’s the reality of a game that includes a factor of chance. You might not win every game, no matter how skilled a player you are, and being prepared for that fact can only help you as a player. You’re only hurting your game when you get emotional if things go badly. Remember what you’ve learned in your time as a poker player, and remember that you should always respond rather than react. Remember that poker is just a game; separate yourself from the emotional highs and lows. This will allow you to be a far more consistent player in the long run.
Don’t Play A Bad Game
Some poker players play for the mental stimulation and the challenge of playing against and hopefully beating the best players they can. If that is you, then ignore this tip completely. If you’re playing not only for enjoyment but because you’re hoping to win from time to time as well, then you should avoid playing bad games. What is a bad game? Any game where you are the worst player at the table. Yes, you can learn a lot and grow your skills from playing against players who are better than you, but your chances of winning are far lower.
Wrap Up
The gap between players who only break even and those who take home the pot is never as big as you think. Often, the small but consistent tweaks you make to your playing make the biggest differences. Remembering the basics, applying your strategy, and remaining in control of your emotions at all times will stand you in good stead to become a far better player than you are currently.
