It has been seen that 7 out of 10 people consider that everything in a poker game depends on the dealt hand and there is not much more to it. But as in most other games, luck plays only a limited role.
Beyond what you are being dealt with, the result of a poker game depends much on your ability to read the game, the way you control your emotions, and how much you learn from previous games.
The following are a few basic tips that can help you have the edge when you choose to play a hand.
Learning from Books
A fairly good number of reliable books are available in the market and many rookies do begin their learning from what’s being laid down in these books.
It definitely helps if you are well-read about the game but always try and improvise on what you have learned from the books.
If you end up following a book to the letter, then there’s hardly any variety left and your game becomes predictable and consequently, it becomes easier for your opponents to beat you.
So our advice to you would be read and still remain inventive.
Rein in your emotions
Poker is a game of high stakes and many people lose control over their emotions once they win or lose big.
But that hardly helps the matter, and in fact, makes things worse for him. It has been seen that carried away with their emotions of either victory or defeat many have lost track of their plans and strategies resulting in a string of losses.
One should remember that poker is just a game and it never helps to get too emotional or carried away.
Have your own style
It always helps if you can have your own style of playing. That doesn’t mean that your game becomes mechanical or anything; in fact it means just the opposite.
It means while you learn from great players of the game the nuances of poker when you play yourself you should not be restricted by what you have seen or learned.
Analyze your game
If you are really interested in making it to the next level than just playing for fun, you have to sit down and analyze your game.
When you lose you must try and learn from your mistakes. And if you really want to be great you should be self-critical even after you win and try and find out where you could have been better even though you had won.
Know your opponents
Never make the mistake of assuming that all your opponents think like you on the table. In fact the truth is far from it.
They all have their own minds and interpret things completely differently. So raise might have absolutely different meanings for you and someone who’s on the same table.
Best hand doesn’t ensure victory
It always helps you have a good hand, but that’s not an end to it. You have to finish off the game.
You never win until you win. So don’t lose your focus and drop your guard just because you are dealt a good hand.
Don’t show your cards unnecessarily
If you don’t need to, then you shouldn’t show your hand. If you have bluffed and won there is no point in showing your cards to others on the table.
That reveals your tactics and gives a pointer to the rest as to what to expect from you in the future.
