There are many ways to become a poker champion, but you should know that it takes time. Good things always do. In order to really learn the game and develop your own poker strategy, you have to start at the beginning.
This article is not intended for experienced players, so if you’ve been playing poker for a few years, you may be more interested in strategies designed for you. And if you’re a beginner and ready to learn the basics – you’re in the right place. Here are 13 poker tips that will undoubtedly help you on your journey. Here we go!
1. Basics: Study the rules, positions and ranking of poker hands
As you might expect, the first step is to learn the rules of the game. This whole process shouldn’t take much time – the general rules of poker are not difficult to understand. A more significant challenge for beginners is definitely the ranking of poker hands.
This can be a very tricky situation if, in the middle of the game, you are not sure how strong your hand is; and whether you have won the round or not. You waste time and focus on things you should know beforehand. You’ll lose focus and won’t be able to make other important decisions with a clear head. So take your time and learn the rankings correctly. Here is a list (starting with the best) to help you.
● Royal Flush – if you have a ten, jack, queen, king and ace (of the same suit) in your hand, you have a royal flush;
● Straight Flush – five cards of the same suit arranged in order;
● Four of a Kind – different suit, same denomination, four cards total, one unmatched;
● Full House – two cards of one denomination and three of another;
● Flush – five cards of the same suit;
● Straight – five cards arranged in order, any color;
● Three of a Kind – three cards of the same denomination and two mismatched;
● Two Pairs – two sets of two cards of any denomination and one unmatched;
● One Pair – two cards of the same denomination, three unmatched;
● No Pair – all cards in different denominations, different color and rank.
In addition to learning the rules and rank of hands, another thing you need to pay attention to is positions. You’ve probably heard this poker term before, even before you considered playing. It is very important. Generally, if a player has a position on other players, it means that this player is acting after them. The said player can see what they are doing, how they are reacting, before having to make a decision.
For example, if you notice that an opponent is making some moves that may indicate that he has a weaker hand, you can use this information and decide your next move. The later your position, the more hands you can play and open. This way you can put more pressure on your opponents.
2. Start with lower stakes to understand poker strategy
As a beginner, it is important for you to know that it is a wise move to start with low stakes and take all the time you need to understand and develop poker strategies. There is no need for you to waste a large amount of money in the process. Here are a few more reasons to start low that you might consider.
First and foremost, you will actually feel much more comfortable risking small amounts while you are still in the process of learning the game. Even if you lose, it won’t hurt you much and you won’t feel the need to step down and not play any longer.
● Secondly, higher stakes mean more experienced opponents, and as a beginner you don’t want that. By starting with low stakes, you will be able to play and practice against other beginners or players who just aren’t that good at poker. This way you can experience the game without the added pressure, instead of giving your money to experienced players.
Third and last – you’ll get a real sense of the game and experience the journey the right way. You will understand the rules and positions better, and with time you will master the hand ranks as well. It takes time, so no rush.
3. Take your time when making important decisions
No player needs to make a decision in a matter of seconds. Even more experienced players think about their next move and don’t make decisions automatically. You risk killing your game just because you want to finish it faster. This is especially important for novice players. You have a ton of new information in your head. Sort it out and then decide what to do next.
Another important decision you should think about is whether you want to play online or in a land-based casino. The game is almost the same, but the offers are no longer. To make sure you avoid scams (especially online) do some research and read casino reviews. For example, if you take the gratorama casino review and read it, you will learn a lot of important information about their bonuses, rewards and numerous betting options.
4. Play tight, but aggressively
A significant number of players who are new to poker make one similar mistake – they play too wide and end up opening too many Texas Holdem hands. One way to improve your game at the beginning is to play only your strongest hands; this way you will avoid making many difficult post-flop decisions. Yes, you will play fewer rounds, but you will play more aggressively once you decide to take action with the cards in your hand.
Playing at lower stakes, your opponents are likely to play random hands, so relying on this tip will give you an edge in the game. You’ll gain a new strategic option and won’t lose much money on your way to becoming a champion.
5. Play when you feel good and are ready
Emotions are not your friends when playing poker. You will certainly feel angry or furious when you lose, but avoid making the situation worse and don’t start a game when you already feel down or agitated. Choose to play when you feel ready to get into the game properly and when you are able to stay calm and focused. You will need it, there is no doubt here.
If you play tired or angry, it can cost you a lot. You won’t be invested in the game and you certainly won’t make the best decisions at the time. So why take the risk. Wait for a better time and enjoy the thrill that poker offers.
