Although there is no such thing as a perfect poker strategy, there is always room for improvement. Here are some frequent flaws that can slip into even the best players’ game plans and how these issues can be addressed:


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Having a Very Narrow or Broad Range
One of the most common issues in poker strategy is when players have a narrow range of hands willing to play. It usually happens when players are uncomfortable with their hand selection, so they opt to play only the strongest hands.
Having such a narrow range prevents you from taking advantage of opportunities that may present themselves during a hand. You could be missing out on chances to bluff or the opportunity to make hands from unlikely draws. A wide range of hands gives you options and makes it harder for other players to put you on a “hand.”
Likewise, a hand range that is too broad can also be dangerous. You may find yourself in difficult spots with weak hands or playing draws that are unlikely to hit when playing this way. It also increases the likelihood of losing big pots due to players making better hands than yours.
Therefore, players must find an optimal balance between having too many or too few playable hands. Doing so will keep players from getting stuck with no options to fall back on and can make all the difference during a hand.
Failing to Adjust Strategy During a Hand Continuously
Another frequent flaw in poker strategy is failing to adjust throughout a hand. It happens when players rely solely on their initial read of the hand and fail to adapt when more information is revealed during the course of play.
When this happens, it can lead to players calling too much or betting out with weak hands when their opponents have likely made a better one. Players must constantly be aware of what their opponents may have so that they can adjust accordingly.
You can take advantage of any new information available to make better decisions by adjusting during a hand. You may also be able to catch your opponents making mistakes and capitalize on those errors.
Also, remember that what works one day may not necessarily work the next. By being willing to make adjustments when needed, you can stay ahead of your opponents and increase your chances for success.


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Not Protecting Your Hands
It’s easy to get caught up in a hand and forget to protect it. There are many times when players will just go all-in without considering what their opponents may have. Remember, even if you have a strong hand, someone can still have something better.
Therefore, it’s essential to consider how to protect your hand, such as by betting out or checking. Doing so lets you gain information on the other players while giving them fewer opportunities to get lucky and pull off a stronger hand than yours.
Out-betting your opponents gives them fewer opportunities because they’ll have to commit a heftier portion of their stack to see the next card. Doing so makes it more likely that they won’t continue with a hand if it improves but isn’t strong enough to beat yours.


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Being Too Passive or Aggressive
Another issue seen in poker strategy is when players become too passive or aggressive. When playing too passively, you can lose out on a lot of value that could have been had with an extra bet or raise.
On the other hand, if you’re too aggressive, you may be giving away information to your opponents regarding the strength of your hand. Another problem with being too aggressive is that it could turn out that you don’t have the nuts and can be put in some tricky spots.
The ideal approach is to find a balance between being passive and aggressive. Doing so allows you to conceal the strength of your hand while still taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.
Letting Position Play Make You Predictable
Position play is one of the most important aspects of poker, but it’s easy to let it make you predictable. For example, if you continuously raise or re-raise from late position and check or call from early position, your opponents will quickly determine what type of hand you have based on your action.
Therefore, mixing up your play and ensuring you’re not telegraphing your intentions is essential. Doing so will help keep your opponents guessing and give them less information about the strength of your hand. One way to do that is to not bet too big in late or too small in early positions.


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Relying on Your Stack
While there’s nothing wrong with counting on your deep stack, it can make you complacent and lead to mistakes, especially in online poker. When playing with a big stack, there’s sometimes a temptation to call bets that may not be the best decision.
Players should always ensure they make the most +EV plays regardless of their chip stack. Doing so will help maximize your profits and avoid costly mistakes in the long run. Also, even if they have a good hand and money to burn, they should only bet the right amount to not give away too much information to their opponents.
Sharpen Your Poker Strategy Today!
Poker strategy is ever-evolving. And part of evolving it is avoiding common mistakes such as not protecting your poker hands, being too passive or aggressive, becoming predictable, and relying on your stack.
And as with any skill, practicing and refining your poker game is crucial to be as successful as possible. All these things are easier said than done, but if you put in the work, you can save yourself from these poker strategy flaws and have more wins at the poker table.