Poker has taken the world by storm and cemented itself as a casino staple. It’s been around for nearly two centuries and has maintained impressive popularity. The biggest reason for this is its depth of strategy.ย
For simple variants like Texas Holdem, the rules are straightforward to learn. However, even these less-complex variants have immense skill and strategy behind them, with a world of differences between newer players and experienced ones. It’s often said that poker takes minutes to learn and a lifetime to master, and that’s not far off. There is always something new to learn, which keeps players coming back for more.
A side effect of poker’s strategic depth is that it can be daunting for newer players. They are frequently overwhelmed by the endless list of poker techniques and strategies, not knowing where to start.
While there is no substitute for experience and practice, online resources can be a great way to learn more immediately. There are countless out there, and this poker guide is one of them. Geared toward beginner players, it will provide quick and easy tips for you to strengthen your poker game. Read on, and make sure to use them!
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Play fewer hands
One of the easiest ways to make your gameplay as a beginner more consistent is to play fewer hands. Many beginners get caught up in the thrill of the game and play as many hands as possible. They think there’s always a chance for their hands to improve and throw away money chasing unlikely draws. The truth is, quite a few poker hands are worth playing. By “tightening up” as a beginner and folding more frequently, you minimize your losses and ensure you always have a good chance of winning the pot.
Of course, playing hyper-conservatively will not be a valid strategy the more you play. Better players will notice and exploit you with bluffs, so you must learn to play more hands as you improve. For now, playing fewer hands is a surefire way to get better as a newbie.
Be more aggressive
Another tip on the level of playing fewer hands is playing assertively. Many people can be intimidated by poker and how you spend real money on it, so they may play incredibly passively by only checking and calling.
While this may seem reasonable on paper to minimize your losses, it’s the exact opposite of a winning poker strategy. Aggression is critical in poker because it reduces the number of people in the pot, making winning easier. It also builds the pool through bets, giving you a better potential reward. Finally, bluffing allows you to win the pot without a solid hand.
Switch to online poker
Online poker is the best way to play, particularly for beginners. It boasts numerous advantages over live, which is why it’s the mode of choice for over 100 million people worldwide. It’s far more convenient, giving you an easy way to play the game from anywhere, at any time. You no longer need to travel to a brick-and-mortar casino; you can just visit one of many reputable poker sites.
Online poker also allows you to use poker tracking software, which analyzes your gameplay and displays valuable statistics about your play style. Not only does it offer a level of insight into your games that you can’t get on your own, but it even does the same for your opponents. Using poker tracking software can reveal information about them that you can use to your advantage. Online poker is also faster-paced and more streamlined, making it better for those with limited playtime.
Be observant
Using information about your opponents to your advantage is an often-overlooked aspect of playing poker. Pay attention during the game, especially after folding, so you can commit 100% of your focus to observation; you can glean information about your opponents’ habits and play style. You can then adapt your strategy around this to win against them.
For example, if you notice your opponent frequently folds and only joins the pot with a strong hand, you can often bluff to win without resistance. When they call your bluff, that’s an obvious sign they have a premium hand, and you should fold as soon as possible.
Balance your ranges
Playing an equal amount of bluffs and strong hands makes it difficult for your opponents to tell what you hold. Balancing your ranges is a tactic every poker player should use. While the name sounds complicated since it refers to the concept of hand ranges, all you need to understand is that it involves mixing up your strategy. Unpredictability is vital in poker; if your opponents can anticipate your actions, you play a losing game. Balancing your ranges allows your bluffs and value bets to be more successful since your opponents can’t tell which is which. When doing this, you must also remember to use the exact bet sizings for bets and value bets. While playing live, you must also pay attention to your physical movements and facial expressions.
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Practice makes perfect
Now that you know some basic poker tips, it’s time to implement them. Head to your favorite online poker sites and try out your new skills. Remember, the only way to get better at poker is to practice. Keep going even if you do poorly; improvement comes with time.ย