If you’re new to Poker, or maybe even if you’ve got some experience, you may think that you should just jump right in and play things by ear. Try to avoid this temptation!
If you approach it with a strategy in mind, you’ll quite significantly increase your chances of success. As much as Poker is a game of chance, its outcome is very directly impacted by your level of skill, and a good plan when it comes to playing will get you a lot further than you may think.
Tight Play
Marked by an upswing in aggression, Tight Play is a very popular stratagem amongst card players. They don’t play many hands, only really getting involved in rounds in which they’ve been dealt good cards to start with.
These players will raise and reraise if they feel the situation, or their hand, warrants this move and they’ll usually try to pursue the pot without holding back after a flop.
Loose Play
Although it’s on the opposite side of the spectrum, Loose Play is as popular as its counterpart.
People following this strategy will get into almost any round, which makes it difficult to tell what they’re holding. They’re more passive, though, and will rarely raise, often simply limping into pots.
Avoid Tilt
This is so important to do that it may be little more than a course of advised action, but it’s become a Poker playing strategy! You have to be in control of your emotions to be a good player, and Tilt can seriously hamper that.
You’re more vulnerable to it when you’re having a run of bad luck or are having to deal with strong negative emotions. So you could define it as times when emotional stress takes control and causes you to play hands differently than how you would if you were operating at your prime. You’ll usually find that you’re playing far more aggressively than you usually would.
Watch How Long You’re Playing For
Don’t lose track of time and remain aware of how long you’ve been upping the ante.
Playing cards for extended periods can cause serious fatigue, which in turn can lead to you making avoidable errors.
Don’t Ever Chase Cards
Chasing cards refers to the inclination to play hands a long time after they’ve outlived their usefulness. Generally, you’re not aware that you’re actually chasing the high one and this realisation comes too late.
To avoid this, know which hands should be played, and this is only possible when you’re familiar with the odds of the game.
Understand the Maths Behind the Cards
There are Poker players that choose more mathematical approaches to the game, and this has a good chance of working out because knowing the overall probabilities will have you a step ahead of your opponents.
It’s always a good idea to do some real research before you start playing and make sure you understand the basic knowledge behind the game. You’ll find yourself getting to know pot odds, the importance of outs, and which cards you need to improve your hand.
