The popularity of poker has risen like an atomic cloud in recent years. This leads to meeting many new and inexperienced players at many of the online poker rooms and the tables in the casinos. These players often play for many hours without noticing that they repeat the same old rookie mistakes again and again. The pro players have already mastered this level of play and they benefit from these mistakes and they collect the pots when playing with these newcomers. Here you will find valuable tips of how fish can become sharks in no time and as sure as fate.

Starting Hands

The most frequent rookie mistake is done when deciding the starting hand. Which starting hand can be played and is it worth staying in the game? If a player has no clue which starting hands can be played at what games, then he calls even when already on a losing position. Therefore you should learn the values of the various hand categories! At most poker rooms you will find special areas which list the hands according to their value.

All-In with the first Poker Hand

Primarily at play money tables most often you will see that some players will go all-in with their first hand. Don’t do this for fun, since this behavior sends a signal that you consider poker to be a game of mere chance. Even when playing online poker there is some kind of etiquette that should be adhered to!

The wrong Limit

New players have to learn the limits that suit their bankroll. If you play with a bankroll of $100 you should play at tables with a limit of $1 to $3 and you should not participate at tables with a limit of $5 to $10 where you can lose your deposit in no time.

Always look for the most suitable table to maintain the fun while playing poker. It makes no sense participating at high roller tables when you lack the money. To learn a lot, you should participate in poker freerolls!

To lose your Patience

Every beginning is difficult. All players begin on the same path and all players make the same mistake. Therefore, do not lose your patience and keep your emotions under control. It is not uncommon to have a bad day and to be on a losing streak. Even professional players sometimes do lose some rounds of poker. It is their strength to have learned not to worry about this fact and to maintain a focused mind.

New poker players make the mistake to lose their ease of mind when they have a bad day and they forget everything that they have learned at such occasions. It is a common rookie mistake to lose your patience and to play with emotions.

Imitating the Moves of the Opponents

Some new players do not even know why their play is so bad. He/she thinks ‘What am I doing wrong, I am playing like all the other players I have seen before.’ Do not imitate the moves of your opponents, as long as you are not absolutely sure why and under what conditions they have acted.

You should acquire your own experiences and you should understand the game, only then will you be a successful player.

Playing Poker for too long and too often

If you are tired, this has a very negative influence on your game. If you play poker online (or live) for too long, the power of concentration will drop often without being consciously noticed by the player.

Professional poker players are aware of their energy balance and they also know that they need some timeouts to be successful. If you are tired, stop playing.

The human eye is not made to sit in front of a computer for hours.

You should get some exercise from time to time. Walk around the room, look out of the window, drink a glass of juice – your concentration will rise and your play will improve.

Alcohol while playing Poker

Poker and alcohol just won't work together. Pro players are aware of this fact and they do not drink hard stuff when playing poker. Your concentration will suffer when drinking alcohol and your play gets worse and worse. It’s like driving your car: alcohol impairs your intellectual power and you get tired.

Bluffing

Many new players show a behavior that is too obvious and they bluff far too often. You have to learn how to bluff and it serves to mislead the other players and to distract the players from the own game.

Newcomers tend to bluff too often, they are called and they lose. It is easy to bluff when playing online, since your opponent will not see your body language. Try not to give in to your emotions if you want to bluff and use your bluffs skillfully and only on specific situations. Bluffing is one of many skills a poker player must be able to master.

Playing only two Suits

Take advantage of the possibility to play all four suits. Many poker rooms offer card decks with four different colors. This makes it easier to identify the different cards, e.g. diamonds is blue, and clubs is green. This way you can identify a flush more easily and you are able to decide your actions faster.

Take this advice to heart and you will immediately notice that your game will improve!