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Playing too many hands
Most beginners play way too many starting hands, in fact
top players typically play between 20-30% of their starting
hands. Concentrate on higher value starting hands and help
remove the luck element of the game.
Know when to hold’em, and know when to fold’em
Learn how to fold a hand, and don’t be a calling machine.
Many beginners keep betting regardless of the board or what
their opponent’s actions are suggesting. Top players
frequently say it’s the hands you can lay down that are
often the key to profitable play.
Choose less skillful opponents
...if you want to win money. Sounds fairly obvious, but you
should play at betting limits where you can beat the majority
of players. Move down in limits if you are having difficulties
winning money. In poker, always leave your ego at the door.
Watch your opponents habits
Especially when you aren’t in a hand. The best time
to study is when you aren’t emotionally invested in the
hand, and you can make more prudent observations. Watch how
opponents bet, and how much they bet, in what position are
they betting. Learning how your opponents play is key.
Betting to gain knowledge
Betting is not always because you have the best hand. Top
players use various betting techniques to try to gain information.
For example, a defensive bet is one that you can use early
on to avoid calling a bigger future bet. A re-raise may be
used to probe the credibility of your opponent’s hand.
Learn to put your opponents on a hand
Once you have mastered Tips #4 &5, it is time to put
your knowledge to work. Try putting yourself in your opponents
shoes, and learn to put them on a hand. Ask questions like
“Why did he re-raise me that amount?”, and “Why
did he only call in the previous betting round?”, “Maybe
because he only called me, he has a kicker problem?”
Learn how to bluff and semi-bluff
...at the right times against the right players, and at the
right frequency. Bluffing is often a misunderstood concept,
and much to many beginner’s dismay most pros use bluffs
quite sparingly. A bluff can be very effective when used rarely,
and where there is a seemingly low risk of being called by
your opponent.
Changing Gears
Unpredictability can be good. Most pros can figure out a
really loose player by waiting for the nuts and being patient.
However, an even easier opponent is a tight player or “rock”,
who plays only the Group 1 type hands. You need to change
your game up, and let them see that you can run bluffs, and
can play some lower value starting hands. These changes should
be subtle and shouldn’t dramatically affect the flop
rate we mentioned in Tip #1
Understand player position
...and how it is critical. Not only is it important to play
strong hands, it is even more important in what position you
play them. For example, the ideal position is the Button (the
Dealer), as you are last to act, and have the advantage of
watching all of the betting action before you need to make
a decision. eg. If the action before you consists of a bet,
a raise, and a re-raise, and you hold a pair of Tens, you
might think that folding is the right decision.
Read books and take notes
Players can always learn more if they want to be a better
poker player. Keep notes on what works and doesn’t work
for you, and eventually you will come up with a style of play
that works uniquely for you and improves your game. Please
see our list of Top Poker Books if you want to see some good
selections.
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