Poker is a game that requires both skill and psychology. While at first glance it appears to be purely a game of chance, the truth is much more complicated than that. Especially when betting is involved, poker becomes much more of a game of skill than it initially seems. It’s no wonder that many beginners struggle to break even or worse, while some people immediately become millionaires on the professional circuit.
One of the biggest mistakes a beginner can make is to make decisions automatically. This is a costly mistake that can kill all your chances of winning. Take your time, think about what’s happening at the table and analyze your opponents’ moves before making your decision.
Don’t Get Too Attached to Good Hands
Some players tend to get too attached to their good hands. For example, pocket kings are a great starting hand but if they come up against an ace on the flop then they are likely doomed. This is because aces are a very strong card and can spell disaster for almost any hand. The same goes for pocket queens if they see a flush or straight coming on the board.
A lot of beginner players are also not patient enough. They want to win the pot as soon as possible and they often try to over-bet in order to do so. This can be very dangerous for beginners because the odds of their hand improving are very slim. This is why it’s so important to learn patience and wait for the right opportunity to bet.
Position is Very Important
When you are in position at the table it gives you a lot of advantages over your opponents. For example, when it’s your turn to act you will have more information than your opponent and you can make better bets that give you the best value. In addition, you will be able to steal some of your opponents’ chips when you have a strong hand.
Study ONE Topic at a Time
Too many players bounce around in their studies. They watch a cbet video on Monday, read a 3bet article on Tuesday and then listen to a podcast about ICM on Wednesday. This is a waste of time and can lead to confusion because it’s hard to master any one concept at once. Instead focus on studying ONE topic per week.
Emotional and superstitious players almost always lose or struggle to stay broke while cold, logical and patient players usually make money at a healthy clip. A lot of it has to do with learning to view the game in a more detached and mathematical way than you currently do. This adjustment can be quite a difficult task, but it’s very important to your success in the game. Luckily, there are plenty of free resources available to help you along the way. You can start by signing up for a free poker account at a site like Full Tilt Poker or downloading one of their mobile apps to get started.