While poker might be a game of skill or chance, there are a few rules that can help you become a better poker player. From reading your opponents’ faces to not betting over your head, here are a few rules you need to play poker whether you’re a novice or seasoned pro.
1. Watch the Other Players
A great way to help you learn how to play poker is to observe your opponents and watch them even if you don’t have a hand in that particular game. Observe how they raise or re-raise and how they bluff or have a poker tell. Studying other players is helpful information for when you play against them. For example, if certain players always fold on a re-raise on a river when you’re next playing them, it's the perfect opportunity to bluff and then win the pot. Or, if you reach for your chips and bet and your opponent immediately reaches for their chips, it's sometimes a clear indication they don't have a strong hand.
2. Watch the Cards on the Table
As a new player, you might be focusing on the rules of play. However, don’t forget to look at the cards that are played. For example, if you’re playing 7-Card Stud, try to remember what cards have folded versus what’s still showing. In Texas Hold ‘Em, consider all the best hands that can fit a flop and know which hands are winning hands.
3. Don’t Dive into High-Limit Games
A mistake some players make is they run to the table when they see short lines for a high limit game. What they don’t realize is that they might be out of their league. Hence, the reason why everyone is lining up for low-limit games. If you’re counting every dollar or concerned because this is your rent money, don’t bet beyond your limit and risk it for the biscuit.
4. Don’t Play Drunk
A night out with drinking with the fellas’ is great. However, if you’re drinking and playing poker, it’s a fast way to lose your cash. You’re more likely to play looser than you normally would and your reflexes might be off. You won’t pay attention to clues from your opponents about their hands and it’s the best way for them to take advantage of you.
5. Play Based on Your Skill Set
Having a big bankroll isn’t a reason to play with the high-rollers because you’ll lose your money fast. Avoid diving into $5 and $10 games after winning in smaller rounds. The skill sets of the players increase right along with the stakes and if you’re new to poker, you’ll look like a fish among the sharks. Stick to lower-level games especially if you’re winning. Why break your streak on a high-stakes gamble?
Final Thoughts
Playing poker can be hours of intense fun filled with highs and lows, wins and losses. To help you become a better player, don’t bet over your head, observe your opponents and keep track of the cards that were played. Other tips include don’t play drunk and play based on your own level so you can enjoy continuous wins as you master poker and increase your confidence as a player. Poker is like a marathon not a sprint.
