You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em… But is that all you have to know when playing poker? Our wager is most certainly no.
When it comes to poker, there are things that you definitely should be doing and things that you should avoid like the plague. Before you go on your favorite casino games website to find your next poker match, it’s important that you know a couple of crucial dos and donts of playing poker. Keep on reading for the total run down so you can have the best chances of winning your next game!
Dos
Always Pay Attention To Your Position
If you’re new to poker or just beginning to learn how to play this exciting card game, then you need to pay attention to your position in the hand. If you’re not paying attention, you could end up getting outplayed by someone who knows how to act during a hand. If you’re acting first then it means you’re in an early position, whereas it’s a late position if you are one of the last people to make a move. It’s not good if you’ve acted early since you have no real way of reading the other players before making your move. You can view what other players are doing if you’re in late position though, putting you at an advantage.
Play Good Hands
It’s very easy to get caught up with trying to win every single pot. This is why it’s important to understand the difference between a good hand and a bad hand. A good hand is one where you have a strong chance of winning, while a bad hand is one where you don’t stand much of a chance of winning. Don’t just play any old hand – you’re literally just going to throw money down the drain if you do that.
Have a Good Poker Face
You may think that poker is only about bluffing and cheating, but it’s also about having a poker face. If you’re too nervous to look into the eyes of the person across from you, then they will see right through you. They’ll know exactly what you’re thinking and that you’re probably holding something back. So, if you want to play poker well, you need to keep a poker face.
Know When To Walk Away
There are some hands where you simply cannot beat the opponent. In those situations, it’s better to walk away than to continue fighting. Even if you were dealt a great hand, you still shouldn’t force yourself to risk losing everything. You should walk away and hope that the next round gives you better cards rather than forcing a bet that isn’t likely to win.
Don’t
Let Your Emotions Dictate Your Gameplay
You want to keep your emotions under control when playing poker. If you let your emotions take over, you’ll start to play recklessly and lose focus on the cards in front of you. The key here is to stay calm and relaxed. There will always be times when you feel frustrated or angry about something. Just remember that these feelings won’t help you in the long run. Instead, try to think rationally and use logic to guide your decisions.
Play Poker When Intoxicated or After Taking Drugs
This goes without saying really, but if you’re drunk or high on drugs, then you shouldn’t be playing poker. Not only does this mean that you’re likely to make mistakes, but it also puts yourself at risk of losing all of your money. It’s not worth it – leave the drinking until after you have finished playing.
Constantly Bluff
If you’re constantly bluffing, then you’re going to lose more than you win. People aren’t stupid – if you’re bluffing them, they’re going to realize that you’re bluffing. Sure, it can come in handy for many rounds of poker, but if all you do is bluff then people are eventually going to catch you out. This won’t do your game any favors so it’s ultimately best avoided.
Show Your Cards To Other Players
Don’t show your cards to the other players at the table! If you do this, then you’re essentially telling everyone else what you have. You’re sabotaging your game by doing this, and losing money. It’s a dumb move that you will almost always regret.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the things that you should and shouldn’t do when playing poker. Hopefully, you’ve learned how to improve your game in the future. Now go out there and enjoy yourself and get some extra cash in your pocket!
