When you’re a beginner in the poker world, you’re bound to make mistakes. Of course, reducing those mistakes is how you get better. There are mistakes that you need to avoid and if you don’t, it can cost you money.
Playing poker online is a lot of fun but you need to know all the aspects of legal online gambling in the US before starting. In this article, I’m going to share more beginner poker mistakes.
Not Taking Control
Ok, so beginners are usually not aggressive, but you need to take the initiative to try to control your hands. For example, if you aren’t the player raising, you could be limping in. You should rarely limp into the pot and by taking control, it can give you the power and take more pots. Obviously, you need to be wise and know when to take control but not having initiative at the table is something that experienced players will spot and exploit relentlessly.
Playing Too Few Hands
This is a big mistake that beginners make and one that experienced players will take advantage of. Playing tight can be a good idea but playing too tight and only playing solid hands is a big tell. You can extend the range of your pre-flop play and you need to have a solid balance when it comes to effective bluffing and playing good hands. If your opponents can’t read you, you already have a big advantage and it will make bluffs more profitable. Therefore, even at an early stage in your journey you don’t want to only play aces and kings.
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Not Letting Go
While playing too few hands is a beginner mistake, so is playing too many hands. If you play every hand, it can be a tell that shows your opponents that you won’t fold even when you don’t have a good hand. That’s a big mistake that more experienced players will take advantage of. To be a good poker player you need to follow the Kenny Rogers rule of thumb, knowing when to fold them and when to hold them. Knowing when to fold can make you a decisive player and one harder to read.
Tilting Away Winnings
Often beginners won’t have patience and they lose winnings by making bad bets after they’ve been up. When you’re up everything is rosy but when you hit a cold streak or have some bad beats its important you don’t lose your patience and chase losses. Chasing losses is a common beginner poker mistake and also for other forms of gambling.
Poker is a marathon, not a sprint, so if you’re winning and then cool off, don’t bet more and be more aggressive to try to get your money back. The way to get the money back and make a profit is by being patient and chipping away and not betting big for a big score.
Don’t Always Play the Same Style
There are different types of playing styles in poker. Some players are tight and some are loose. As a beginner, you should not pigeonhole yourself to one style. If you play certain hands the same way all of the time, it’s something your opponents will pick up on. Being fluid in your style can keep you from being a predictable player and a more successful one, as your plays will be harder to read.
Poker is also more enjoyable when you mix it up and try new things. It will keep opponents guessing and help your chances of enforcing errors from them.
Narciso Baldo
Narciso Baldo is the Director and Head Coach of Texas Hold'em Questions. He has been playing poker for over 16 years. After spending many years as a professional, he now runs UK poker training site Texas Hold'em Questions. Narciso regularly writes poker articles sharing tips, strategy, news and experience with gambling enthusiasts. Narciso also writes for reputable gambling portal Casino City Times, (bio here). Contact: info@texasholdemquestions.com
