Have you started to seriously get in to online poker? Many gamblers love this game and get ready to settle in for the long haul, making poker a regular part of their online existence and their social lives. In this situation, it is understandable to want to become better at poker so that you can make it in the long run. These five fabulous poker strategy tips will help you to improve your game more and more.
1. Think ahead
Yes, poker is a game with a large element of chance to it – which cards you receive depends on the luck of the draw. But, once you have been dealt your hand, you can immediately start planning ahead: how strong mathematically is your hand? What would it take to make you fold?
2. Learn to count cards
Card counting is the art of elimination. If you have certain cards in your hand, you know that this reduces the probability that other players will have the same hand as you. When playing ‘Hold’em’ poker games which use a set of face up ‘communal cards’, you can also add these into the mix.
3. Learn the rules
It is essential to know the rules like the back of your hand. Even when you think you have completely mastered a given set of rules, ensure that you refresh them regularly – you may be surprised at the number of small details that can escape you. Want to truly test your poker rules knowledge? Play HORSE! HORSE is a unique game that involves playing with a slightly different set of poker rules in each round.
4. Get good at reading other players’ behaviour
Even beginner poker players have heard of the ‘tell’ – the small quirk or tic that reveals that a player is bluffing or is worried about their hand. Far from being a myth, the tell is a real feature of poker. Practice observing other people’s faces, and make sure that you work out what your own tell is sooner rather than later so that you can develop a strategy for hiding it.
5. Know when to walk away
A big part of good poker strategy is staying in control of the game at all times. That includes being totally able to stop playing at any point of the evening. Check in with yourself at regular intervals – if you find yourself getting carried away or feeling uncomfortable, the solution is simple: walk away from the (virtual) table. When the game takes control of you rather than you taking control of the game, you can end up getting stuck in a spiral of debt and desperation. Stay in control and keep things fun! If you find things getting out of control, talk to a charity or a loved one sooner or later. On a similar note – never gamble more than you can afford to lose. If you are gambling with money that was reserved for groceries or loved ones’ birthday presents, this is a clear sign that you have a problem.
Have fun in the wonderful world of online poker
Playing poker online is so much fun, particularly when you opt for the live dealer form of the game. Use these amazing online poker tips to become better at poker so that you can make the most of every game that you play. Have fun, make friends, sharpen your skills and who knows – you could even win big!