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Avoid most common mistakes made by
new poker players
Poker is
becoming more and more popular these days, it seems that television
stations are full of live poker tournaments. Just about every sports
game you get to watch on the old tube has banners of online casinos and
casino resorts in the background. All of these expenses on advertising
seem to be paying off, especially to the online casino industry.
According to some reports this industry is at 9 billion a year and is
expected to grow up to 15 billion within the next year or so.
Many new
players are joining the ranks of older, mature, and more experienced
poker players. Poker players that have earned their battle scars, sort
of speak. These newbie’s, or rookies seem to think that just by watching
a few games on the television set they know it all, well………..you do not.
It takes long hours at the poker table to learn all the tricks of the
trade. If you are one of these rookies, here are some tips for you to
remember and follow. Basically, a list, of the do’s and don’t do’s,
because remember one thing, these “old foxes” at the table can read you
right of the bat.
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One of the biggest mistake
beginners make is playing in tough games. Beginners will often place
themselves in games against competition they just can't handle.
Rather than playing in smaller limit games, against opponents of
comparable skill, they prefer to go head to head with the big boys.
Try not to get to over confident right at the beginning, these “big
boy” games are not like the games with your friends at home.
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Playing too many hands is another
common mistake. Rookie’s play more hands than they should, not
understanding the importance of starting with premium hands in
premium situations because faking hands does not work all the time.
Pick up a book or two before sitting down to play, and you'll
understand why 9-3 is a bad hand to start with, whether it's suited
or not, there is no excuse for lacking fundamental poker knowledge.
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Patience, patience and than, some
more patience. The lack of patience will always get you. Playing
poker means you will go through long periods of sheer boredom
waiting for good cards. Rookies often don't have the patience to
wait for quality cards out of boredom; they will start playing hands
they know they should not be playing.
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Drinking alcohol while playing is
something that you might do at home while playing with the boys. But
playing in a tournament or any casino environment you will need to
have all of your concentration, and the little talent that you might
have acquired until now with you in order to make quality decisions
at the table. Remember that the casinos serve free alcohol at the
table for a good reason. It will cloud s your judgment and will have
you making plays you should not have considered making in the first
place.
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Playing too many hours will affect
your brain. At some point it will just cease to function well
especially after 12 hours of sitting at the table playing poker. It
is always best to get some rest, and come back sharp and fresh the
next day, most beginners will end up playing too many hours trying
to chase their money back or trying to be a “pig” about it and win
some more. In the process, they end up throwing away all their
winnings (if they gained some) and even more. Your mind will play
tricks on you after playing for to many hours, and you will often
convince yourself that you are playing well. Chances are, you might
not.
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Bluffing to much and to often is an
extremely common mistake rookies make. Most new players that have
watched too many movies seem to have convinced themselves that poker
is all about bluffing. Somehow, they think that if they just keep
betting, everyone will fall into their bluff and get out of their
way. The opposite is true. Experienced poker players catch on to the
habitual bluffer very fast, and they use it against him
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Trying to look as the tough guy, or
the big shot at the table by playing limits you can not afford is
another common mistake. Nothing is more harmful to your confidence,
and your bankroll, than gambling with your rent or bill money,
basically with money you can not afford to gamble away. Due to the
pressure this will create on you, You can not make smart decisions
when you are worrying about how you are going to pay the rent if you
will lose. It is always best for you to play within a budget you can
afford.
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When ahead at the game, you should
not be in a hurry to take your winnings and run. There is no system
for figuring out when you should keep on playing and when it is time
to pack up and leave. The best is not to make a plan as far as when
to leave. Many rookies seem to hit and run after very small wins,
yet they continue to play when they are behind. When you are on a
winning role, you have a powerful table presence and you should
exploit that presence to the max. On the other hand when you are
losing, that image at the table is tarnished and can have a negative
effect on the way you play the game.
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Over-blown egos will always get
players, especially rookies. Remember that even if you were top tog
player at home. The casino and especially the tournament scene is
completely different and you are not as good as you might think you
are. Once you realize that you do not know everything about poker is
the day that you might start learning a thing or two and have a
better chance at winning. It is always important to be objective
about your poker abilities or disabilities as the case might be.
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Playing after you
have lost a few hands to the point that it damaged your faith or
self confidence in your game, is not a good idea. Keep in mind that
every poker player losses a few hands. The best thing to do is to
just walk away ,clear your mind and come back when your confidence
came back. A player that losses his confidence in his game yet
continues to play will dig himself further in the hole, since he is
not playing with a cool mind, and therefore with bad judgment.
Now
that you have read these 10 key points for rookies to remember Let them
soak in, memorize the do’s and don’t do’s and abide by them.
Good luck on your next poker game.
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