Poker is a card game in which players place bets on the strength of their cards. It is a game of luck and skill that can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. Regardless of how you choose to play poker, there are some basic rules that should be followed.
1. Don’t Be Afraid To Fold
One of the most common mistakes that new poker players make is not folding when they have a strong hand. It’s understandable that you want to win as much as possible, but if your pocket kings or queens meet an ace on the flop, it’s probably best to fold and save your money for another time.
2. Don’t Always Go With Cookie-Cutter Advice
When you’re learning to play poker, it’s important not to fall into the trap of chasing every piece of advice that you see on the internet. Many poker coaches give out cookie-cutter tips like “always 3bet X hands” or “check-raise your flush draws.” But these tips are not the right approach for every spot, and can actually lead to you losing more money in the long run.
3. Keep Your Eye On Your Position
The concept of position is often overlooked by new poker players, but it’s one of the most important factors in the game. Essentially, you’re looking at how far your opponents have to call bets on the flop, turn, and river. The better your position, the more likely you are to win the pot.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Call
When it comes to poker, you have to be willing to call a lot of bets. This is especially true in early position. The player to your left is likely to bet heavily when he or she has a good hand, so you should be prepared to call any amount that’s raised.
5. Don’t Be Too Attached to Your Hand
In poker, it’s very easy to get attached to your hands. Pocket kings and queens are strong hands, but if an ace hits on the flop, it’s likely that your luck will run out. You should be prepared to fold your best hands if they don’t look good on the flop or board.
6. Learn To Estimate Other Players
It might seem like a difficult task to guess what other players have in their hands, but it’s really not that hard. If you’re able to read your opponents, you can narrow down the possibilities of their hands quite easily. For example, if you’re playing at a table where everyone is checking after the flop, it’s likely that someone has a 2 in his or her hand. By making educated guesses about what other players have, you’ll be able to play smarter hands more often. This will lead to more wins than losses in the long run. That’s what all players should be striving for! Good luck and happy betting! —Jake Y.