Poker players are cool. The fact that you want to be one is proof of that. Reaching the level of skill where you can truly say that you are one, however, will take time. So, before you can be a professional poker player that doesn’t get rattled whatever his or her poker hands are, you need to get schooled first. Start your education with these 11 steps:
1. Learn the basics
Before you sit down at a table, make sure you know the basic rules of poker. You don’t want to be the person who is constantly asking what a flush is. This means learning the poker hands rankings, understanding the different betting rounds, and getting a feel for how the game is played by doing some free poker practice. You can find all of this information online or in books and it will help you immensely when you are just starting out.
There are plenty of resources out there to help you learn how to play poker. A good example is GGPoker. As the world’s biggest online poker room, they also have the GGPoker School where you can learn the basics. After that, you can try their free poker as practice, and they go for the real thing once you’re confident enough. Sign up on GGpoker to find out more.
2. Don’t show your cards
One of the cardinal rules of the game is that you should never show your poker card cards to the other players. This is because it gives them an advantage over you. If they know what you have, they can easily figure out how to beat you. So always keep your cards close to your chest and only show them when you are sure you have won the hand.
3. Start small
Once you know the basics, it’s time to start playing for real money. But before you go running to the nearest casino, we recommend starting small. Sit down at a micro stakes cash game or play some pennies tournament. This will help you get used to the feeling of playing for real money and also ensure that you don’t blow your bankroll in one sitting!
4. Don’t play every hand
Novices often play every hand that they get, as they think that since they are dealt two cards, they might as well play them. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to be a successful poker player, you need to be selective about the hands you play. Only play when you have a good hand or a good chance of making a good hand. The rest of the time, just fold.
5. Know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em
This leads us nicely to our next point, which is knowing when to hold ‘em and knowing when to fold ‘em. This is probably the most important lesson you will ever learn in poker. There will be times when you have a good hand and you should definitely continue playing. But there will also be times when you have a bad hand and you should just get out of the way as quickly as possible. The key is to learn to read the other players and know when you are likely to win and when you are likely to lose.
6. Pay attention to the other players
If you want to be a successful poker player, you need to pay attention to the other players at the table. You need to try and figure out what type of hands they are playing and how they are likely to bet. The more information you have on the other players, the better your chances of winning will be.
7. Don’t be afraid to bluff
Bluffing is a double-edged sword. It can either get you into trouble, or it can be the key to victory even when you don’t have winning poker hands. Some say that the cons outweigh the pros, but the truth is that it’s just as part of the game as folding and betting. However, make sure that you don’t overdo it and only bluff when the situation is right.
8. Be patient
Patience is a virtue in poker. If you are the type of person who gets impatient easily, then this is not the game for you. Poker is a slow and steady game. It takes time to build up a big stack of chips. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the best poker hands. Just keep playing and eventually you will come out on top.
9. Manage your bankroll
This is another important lesson for all poker players. You need to learn how to manage your bankroll properly. This means only playing with money that you can afford to lose and quitting when you are ahead. If you don’t manage your bankroll properly, you will quickly go broke. The best way to do this is to set a comfortable playing budget and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
10. Have fun
Last but not least, remember to have fun. Poker is a game and it should be treated as such. Don’t take it too seriously and don’t get too wrapped up in the results. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the game. If you do this, the journey to being a card-carrying (pun intended) poker player is going to be more enjoyable, more worthwhile, and easier.
Time to be a true blue poker player!
These are just some simple tips to get you started on your poker journey. If you take the time to learn and practice the game, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful poker player. Just remember to have fun and always play within your bankroll. Good luck!
