Top Poker Tips to get you Started

What most poker greenhorns fail to realize is that the quintessential image of a poker player hustling and bluffing his or her way to mega-stardom and riches is largely a pipe-dream. Sure you can make a mint off poker, but you’ve got to be savvy. You’ve got to know your game inside out, but more importantly you’ve got to know how to read the players and the cards. When I started out, I was fresh out of school and running dangerously low on luck. In my defense however, I knew that I needed to stay the course and eventually my fortunes would change. So my first and foremost tip to all of you guys is the following: Poker is as much a game of skill and strategy as it is a game of luck. Bide your time and remember that you the good flops will come your way. Take it step-by-step. You’ll be hot and you’ll be cold, but that’s what it’s all about. Navigate around the cold spells and fire-up your poker engine when the fall of the cards are going your way.  Here’s sane advice:

• If you’re scared to punt, you’ve already lost that money. You should always have at the bankroll of at least 300 big blinds in Texas Holdem Limit Games and for No-Limit and/or Pot Limit games you should have at least enough cash for 20 buy-ins.

And remember to play confidently when you play. If you show fear, your opponents will pick up on it before you know what’s going on. In the same manner I’ve always tended towards crafty play. I mean carve out a niche for yourself – don’t continually allow yourself to be beaten by competing against players infinitely smarter than yourself. Scope out the lie of the land and play where you have a competitive advantage. If you’re really sharp you’ll be looking up players’ profiles to see their stats – that’s always a great indicator of what you’re up against.

Other important points to bear in mind when playing poker

I can’t seem to stress it enough but you need to realize that you have to be focused when playing poker. Your mind must be on the games and not elsewhere. If you are in an emotional tizz, then don’t go out (or stay in for that matter) gambling. Emotional plays are unsafe and potentially very costly. This goes for substance induced highs too – stay away from the game when your head’s awash in other thoughts. Of prime importance too, is playing the game at all levels. What I mean by this is that you should be able to shift gears accordingly. Don’t be stuck in the same playing mode – experiment. Learn to uncover tells, read between the lines and pick up on behaviour. You’ll make plenty more winning plays if you learn the ways of your opponents.