Virtually everyone knows, and understands Poker, at least to some extent. It is a game played in practically every region of the world, and many countries even have celebrity Poker stars. Yes, it is a fun, entertaining game, with the potential to unfold in remarkably tense situations. Some would even consider it the perfect casino game, with a balance between skill, and luck, determining who walks away with the pot.
If you are new to Poker, you may be looking for a more thorough understanding of how it all works. Most understand the basics of the game, but still struggle to grasp what action should to taken when, in order to maximise wins.
Here are some basic Poker strategies to help you become a better player.
A Game Of Patience And Skill
There are many who will approach this beloved card game with a bull-headed, aggressive style. When a decent hand is achieved, these rookie players will throw in everything, and anticipate victory. To some extent, this approach will yield results. But not for long.
Getting better at Poker, and winning more frequently, requires patience, and a deeper understanding of player psychology. After all, no one approaches the game intending to lose, which means that outthinking opponents is a key aspect of winning.
Striking While The Iron Is Hot
When will you get a decent hand? You don’t know, but then neither does anyone else. This is a key factor that makes this such an engaging, interesting puzzle of chance. But, pretending that you have a decent hand, or bluffing, makes an already difficult puzzle even more interesting.
First and foremost; you are never required to ante in. Some feel that if they aren’t participating, they are ruining the game for others. But when your money is on the line, you should only play if you are confident. Only Ante in if your initial cards paint some sort of chance for a betting hand, otherwise, simply fold.
Most consider face cards in adjacent sequence, or at least near one another in numeric value, a good starting point. Yes, a medium to high pair is even better. The point is that taking on a hand that offers little to no chance of winning is a bad start.
Read The Table
Study your opponents. Who seems most likely to make large bets more frequently, who seems more conservative with their style? Mark these players with characteristics, and remember them. It will help you decide on betting options later.
Contrary to popular belief, those opponents who make big bets frequently are not the best players. They are not receiving better hands more often than you, which means that they are often betting on cards with low value. They will likely go broke sooner, rather than later.
Bet Smart
Lastly; be sure to never make it obvious when you manage to achieve an excellent hand. Reeling in players is best. Make a small initial bet, then bump up the amount the second round. Remember; winning a smaller pot is better than no pot at all.
