Poker is a game of cards and chance, but it’s also a game of skill. If you’re serious about making money, you’ll need to learn some basic strategy. The difference between break-even beginner players and big winners is usually just a few simple tweaks in how you view the game. Here are some ways to improve your odds of winning:
Start with a small bankroll: Play only as much poker as you can comfortably afford to lose. This way, if you lose your money, you won’t have much to worry about. Also, try to get a feel for the different types of games you’ll be playing, and learn the rules and basic hand rankings. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can gain a grasp of the game just by playing a few hands and understanding some basic strategy.
Know what kind of hands to hold: The best hands are ones with high values and a match of suits. Those kinds of hands will usually win if the other players at your table are holding lower value and matching cards. The best poker hand is a royal flush, which consists of the highest possible combination of cards (face cards ten through ace and all in the same suit).
Understand the importance of position: Depending on your position at the table, you will need to play your hands differently. For example, EP and MP positions require that you play very tight pre-flop, and only call bets with strong hands. But if you’re UTG, you can bet with a wider range of hands.
Know when to bluff: There are many factors that go into whether you should bluff in a hand, including your opponent’s tendencies, their range of hands, the pot size and more. The key is to make bluffing a part of your poker strategy, but don’t bluff too often or you’ll be called by someone with great cards.
Identify the mistakes of other players: Even stronger poker players have weaknesses. By observing their behavior, you can find these chinks in their armor and take advantage of them. This is one of the best ways to improve your game without changing your overall strategy, and it’s also a fun way to spend an hour or so with friends.
Lastly, enjoy the game: This is a mentally demanding game, and you won’t perform your best if you’re not in the mood to play. If you don’t have an enjoyment for the game, it’s probably not worth the effort of trying to turn it into a career. The divide between break-even beginner players and big-time winners is sometimes not as wide as you might think, and it all boils down to learning how to approach the game in a more cold, detached, and mathematical manner. This will allow you to win at a much higher rate than the average player. Good luck!