Poker is a game of skill where you must be able to make decisions quickly and correctly. It is not an easy game and you should not play it with money you can’t afford to lose. The best way to improve your skills is by practicing and watching others play.
Limping
One of the most common mistakes beginner players make is ‘limping’, or showing a lack of confidence in their cards when it’s their turn to act. This is a dangerous strategy and it’s easy for more experienced players to spot.
You should always check or call when it’s your turn, and always raise when you have a premium hand. This will help you increase the size of your pot and ensure that you are in the winning position when the flop hits.
A Royal Flush –
The highest hand in poker is the royal flush which is made up of a 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of the same suit. This is a strong hand and can be beaten only by the royal flush of another suit.
Flops Can Kill You –
If you hold pocket kings or queens, an ace on the flop can spell disaster for you. This is because there are a lot of straight and flush cards on the board and your pocket pair can be easily overpaired.
It’s important to keep in mind that a lot of new poker players get tunnel vision when it comes to their own hands and don’t think about what their opponent might have. Pay attention to how your opponent bets pre-flop, for example, and how much he is betting, so that you can start thinking about what hands he could have.
Ranges
A range is a list of possible hands your opponent could have, and it can be very useful to work out what these are. Many different factors can suggest what your opponent could be holding, including the time it takes for him to decide and the sizing he is using.
Value Bets –
A value bet is a great way to get other players to think that you have something in your hand, and it’s also a very effective method of increasing the size of your pot. However, you must remember that not all opponents are willing to give this type of bet a fair chance.
You should only use a value bet if you believe the pot odds will work in your favour. If the pot odds are poor, you should fold and take a smaller profit.
The best players understand the power of bluffs, but they do not want to overplay them too much. They also do not want to ‘prove’ that they are bluffing, as this will usually backfire.
It’s important to learn when you should call a bet, especially with a strong hand like a set or a flush draw. When you have a flush draw, you should give your opponent a small raise to see if they will catch it on the turn, and then you can call them if they do.