Learning to play Poker is an art in itself and that’s especially true given the vast amounts of information that’s currently available online. Chances are that you are beginning to feel confused and a little perplexed with all the misleading information, that’s it’s taking longer for you to understand the basics. Fair enough, but just remember, the game itself is not that hard to understand nor is it a mental challenge that you have to work at. Just review some of the beginners’ tips posted below and they should clue you in on how to play the game, learning to think strategically, and essentially, learning to keep your focus on the table and try to perfect the poker rules.
Prep yourself mentally: When it comes to the poker game, the first thing that you need to realize, besides understanding the rules, is to prepare yourself mentally. Granted that the game requires sheer skill, ability, and to a degree, intuition. But even the most skilled player can still lose and play miserably, just as he is poised to win the hand. So what’s the reason? Simple, you need to prepare yourself mentally; you need to be able to withstand the pressure and ensure that your focus remains solely on the game. Sure, you may want to contemplate the odds stacked up against you – that’s fine. But make sure that you do not lose your focus and it remains exactly where it is supposed to be – on the table.
Adapt: Since you are playing in a Real Cash Game, one of the strategies that you need to adopt is in learning to adapt your play. You are bound to come across players who tend to raise their stake by huge amounts all of a sudden. That’s your clue that they are having, what is usually termed as a ‘monster hand’. And you need to be ready and adapt your gaming strategy accordingly. Of course, they could be bluffing but not everyone bluff’s and they certainly would not do so, by raising their stake several times over. You need to strategize accordingly, and even work out the probability of their moves, as to whether it would be worth it to match the stake or to fold.
Burnout: One of the issues that most beginners face when it comes to real money poker is burnout. More often than not, you would be surprised to learn that most of them are simply in this to make money. And that’s the reason that they often keep playing several hands at the same time, to increase their chances of winning the pot. Such tactics often lead to burnout, sooner than later. Ask yourself this, would you still consider playing online poker for fun, if there was no money involved? And if your answer is a ‘Yes’, then you would probably enjoy playing this game for several more years.
Reading your opponents: If you were to head to a real casino, you would often find the players at a poker table, busy looking at others and trying to read them. But, with the online format, there’s little chance of you being able to read anybody, to clue you in. Besides, reading a player tends to be a tad overrated. Sure, most poker movies are often based on players being able to read the signs, behavioral mannerisms, etc. But, it is more of a stretch of fanciful imagination at best. One of the ways to read your opponents is to keep track of their plays, find out if and when they are raising their stakes. That should give you the information you need to succeed at card games online.
Behavioural signs you need to look out for: When it comes to playing poker online, here are a few behavioral signs that you need to look out for. When a player takes too long to act, and then hikes their bet amount or raises, it is generally assumed that they have a great hand. And if someone is betting an odd amount, chances are that they have just staked their entire bankroll. And then, you got your usual lot – the sort who always makes a point of complaining to the dealer and the authorities if they spot something odd. As hard as it is to believe, even the online version of the game is not immune from their kind.
These are some of the vital tips that all beginners need to know if they are to succeed at Poker.
