Every little edge you can get in poker can make a big difference in your bankroll. While some players rely on pure luck in its maintenance, the most successful players always look for ways to grow or preserve it.
Here are some simple poker moves that can help your bankroll get bigger or save you from going broke:
Play tight in early position
This is essential advice for beginning poker players and even intermediate ones. In early position, you should only be playing the very best hands because you don’t have much information about the other players at the table. If you’re unsure about your hand, folding and waiting for a better opportunity is more advisable.
Don’t be afraid to bluff
A good bluff can win you the pot even if you don’t have the best hand. However, it would help if you were careful about when and how you bluff. If you bluff too often, the other players will catch on, and you won’t be able to win as often.
Also, be careful how much to bet while bluffing. While betting bigger than the size of the pot can often force your opponents, even those with better hands, to fold, you lose all that money if your bet gets called out.
Try slow playing
Unlike bluffing, slow playing is when you bet small to keep your opponents in the hand instead of betting big to try and win the pot. It can be a good move at the poker table when you have a monster hand and want to maximize your potential winnings.
Do value betting
Value betting is when you bet an amount commensurate with your hand’s strength. For example, if you have a flush, you should bet enough to lure your opponents into calling, but not so much that you’re giving away too much money.
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Protect your hand
You must protect your hand from being drawn out if you have a good one. One way to do this is by betting enough to discourage your opponents. Another way to protect your hand is by playing it cautiously, checking and calling rather than betting and raising.
Checking is simply passing the action to the next player without betting. It’s a wise move when you’re unsure of your hand’s strength or when you want to see what your opponents are going to do before committing any money.
Pay attention to the other players.
Observing players is one of the most important things you can do to help you make or keep your money. If you can figure out what kind of hand they have, you’ll be able to make better decisions about your hand.
Paying attention to the other players also allows you to spot tells, which are small physical or verbal cues that can give you information about their poker hands. For example, if a player is sweating or has a twitch in their eye, they might be bluffing.
Fold when you have to
Folding is giving up on a hand. It is the only good move you can make when you have a bad hand. It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often players hold on to losing hands, hoping they’ll turn around. If you know or feel you’re not going to win the hand, it’s usually better to fold and save yourself some money.
There’s no shame in folding, and often it’s the smartest thing to do. Remember, the goal is to win money, not to show off your hand.
Have a set amount for your bankroll
The size of your bankroll will determine what stakes you can play, and you should always be comfortable with the amount of money you have at risk. If you’re new to poker, keeping your bankroll small is often best. It prevents you from the risk of losing too much money if you have a downswing.
As you get better at poker and start winning more consistently, you can gradually increase the size of your bankroll.
Use stop-losses:
A stop-loss is an essential tool for managing your bankroll. A stop-loss is a predetermined limit on how much you are willing to lose in a single day, session, or tournament. Once you reach your stop-loss, you stop playing for the day. This can help prevent you from going broke.
Manage your emotions
Poker is a game of highs and lows, so you must not be affected by this constant flux. If you let your emotions get the better of you, it will affect your decision-making, and you’re likely to make mistakes that cost you money.
Don’t get upset if you have a bad beat or lose a big pot. It’s just part of the game, and you need to be able to take the losses in stride. Similarly, don’t get too cocky or overconfident if you have a winning streak. Stay level-headed and stick to your poker game plan.
Review your hands
After each session, take some time to review the hands you played. It will help you identify any mistakes and avoid them in the next one. It’s also an excellent way to spot any patterns in your opponents’ play, allowing you to take advantage of them.
Protect your bankroll today
So there you have it, the moves that will help ensure that your bankroll will get bigger or won’t be broken. Of course, no one-size-fits-all solution exists, so you must adapt your strategy according to the situation. These tips, however, will serve as a good baseline. From them, you can derive the moves you need to make that will ensure you have enough funds to keep playing poker. Good luck!