If played against other people, and not against the house, poker is considered the only truly fair way to gamble. This is because there is no house edge, which guarantees that the casino will always win a certain amount of the time. Poker is also a game that based very much on skill, with a player being able to do considerably better depending on how much they understand, and in what fashion they play. Here are 5 tips for getting better at poker that may make all the difference to the average player.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fold
The first tip is an obvious one, but something that players very much still take for granted. Don’t be afraid to fold. In a group game like poker there is always a certain amount of peer pressure, given that most aim for the game to be exciting, fast paced and pulse pounding. But excitement is not the same as playing smart. If drawing a hand that gives very little chance of winning, it can always be thrown away, with the only real cost being whatever the ante amount is. In the long run, it is far better to lose the ante then get drawn into a betting round with worthless cards.
Study Your Opponents
The second tip in 5 tips for being better at poker involves your opponents. Different people tend to play in different ways, and it is often easy to spot the cowboys and reckless players. Even identifying one reckless player will give an edge, since this is the player most likely to bet big on a hand with only moderate value. Note the reckless cowboys, and use it to your advantage.
Mix Up Your Game
As you study your opponents, they will likely be taking note of the way you play. It is wise to play safe, but this will soon be seen as a pattern. It is good to occasionally play an aggressive hand, amidst the safe hands, keeping opponents off guard and guessing what is going on in your head. Get predictable at your own peril.
Bet Slow
The fourth tip in 5 tips for being better at poker involves how you bet. If getting an amazing hand, the exact wrong thing to do is open with an enormous bet. Players can spot a person who has drawn a flush a mile away. Start small, and lure players in by increasing the bet in increments. Once players have invested a bit of money, they are more likely to go all the way. Plus, if you have followed the top above, they will assume you have a moderate hand, and not a killer hand, or perhaps that you are again bluffing.
Know When to Quit
Like responsible wagering in baseball betting, another obvious but often ignored rule of poker is to know when it is time to go home, and count your losses or wins, no matter you are playing at land based casino or online. Scoring a few big hands does not mean you are guaranteed to clean up for the rest of the evening. It is just as likely you will spend the next five hands losing your winnings. Likewise, losing a few big hands does not mean luck is sure to turn your way any second. Know when it is time to call it night.