When playing poker, many players tend to make the same fatal mistakes. Below, I have attempted to outline this issue in the hope that readers will be able to identify the negative tendencies in their game and make the necessary changes.
Mistake 1 – Playing Short-Handed with Little Experience – First of all, hands Play requires more skills. You don’t have the luxury of just being patient, which forces you to play weak hands. You will be playing more hands per game, and this will put you at a distinct disadvantage when competing against more experienced players. Beginning players may also not have the required bankroll to weather such high fluctuation games. These fluctuations can cause players to go tilt, which is always a big mistake. Playing short hands requires a whole different mindset. Start by playing in regular games and gain experience. Only then should you start branching into the deeper waters of short-handed play.
Mistake 2 – Bluffing Too Much – Bluffing an opponent is a great feeling, but if you do it too much you are definitely called. Betting on weak hands is a surefire way to reduce your chip total. Be careful and don’t be too sweet. Feel free to bluff, but do so in moderation.
Mistake 3 – Playing Wrong Position – You want to play as many hands as possible from late position, and these are hands that you will want to play aggressively. Will then allow you to see what your opponents are doing. If you are in early position, you will want to play fewer hands.
Mistake 4 – Getting Too Emotional – When players are too emotional, they are bound to make mistakes. At all times, try and stay separate from the game. Stay calm. Bet with your brain, not with your heart.
Mistake 5 – Focusing Too Much on Cards – Play players, not cards. Study your opponent’s tendencies and try to make sure that some hands ever make it to the last card. Instead, you want to use your knowledge of your opponent to force them to fold far ahead of time.
Mistake 6 – Thinking You’re the Best – Despite what you think, you are not the best player out there. In any given game, anyone has a chance to beat the other person. There is only so much you can do about this. What you can do is realize that you will lose a lot of time. The practice, however, will ensure that you lose far less than those around you.
Mistake 7 – Not Asking For Help – Whether you learn by watching other people or asking for advice, you should get help from time to time to improve. And, of course, there is simply no substitute for the actual game experience.
Mistake 8 – Playing Wrong Bets – The difference between a $5 and $10 game can be huge. It is always important to play the game with a stake that you can afford. The higher the stakes, the higher the level of competition. Start small and slowly move your skills up and finance increasing.
Mistake 9 – Being predictable – Being aware of your betting patterns. Mix things up. Remember, while you are learning your opponents, they are learning you.
Mistake 10 – Not Knowing When to Stop – Knowing when to quit, whether after a big win or a big loss, is absolutely critical to poker success. Being stubborn will only get you deeper in the hole or ensure that your winning streak comes to a stop eventually. Get out when you’re ahead (or at least when you’re not too far behind).