Commonest Mistakes That Poker Players Make

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You might think you are the best poker player in town. Wait! Do not be in a hurry to pat yourself at the back. This article tells you about some of the commonest mistakes that poker players make and we are talking about smart players here. So, be smarter than them. Read this article and find out how many mistakes you were making till now. Fix them now and get ready to dig into crisp dollars in your next game.

Mistake 1: you play too many hands.
In the beginning of the game, poker players tend to be loose in their style and play too many hands. You must focus on premium hands. This is more important when you are at a table of 8-10 "monsters".

Another thing: avoid limping using bad cards in a bid to hit on a flop. You may add up the blinds, but it is not too worthy to die for. The best thing to do at a table of 8 players is to focus on playing pocket pairs, A-X suited, suited connectors, or two face cards.

Avoid hands like K-3, Q-2, J-8, and 10-7 completely. Simply fold them pre-flop.

Why do players play too many hands? The reason is simple: they are impatient players who want action fast. They lack the quality of a winner who waits patiently for good cards and then strike action.

So, would you like to be a long-lasting winner or an action lover who fades fast?

MISTAKE 2: you play your position wrong.
Ask any winner of Texas Holdem about the importance of positioning and they will tell you that it is everything in poker.

Why is there so much emphasis on positioning? Well, if you are in good positioning, you will be able to observe your opponent's move before you make a move. And once you are aware of your opponent's playing style, you can lay your trap accordingly.

Good positioning, in other words, is late positioning. This means that you are the last one to make a move after the flop. The perfect position is the dealer or button.

What do most players do? They commit the blunder of playing cards without taking in account their positioning. For example, the strategy to play pocket aces in big blind varies with that in dealer position. And this is true for all starting hands and positions.

Therefore, the fundamental strategy is to play more starting hands with an aggressive style from a later position. In early positioning, you must focus on fewer hands, especially if you are positioned to the left of the big blind.

MISTAKE 3: you think you are a "natural" player.
"What actually is a "natural" poker player? Is he or she a poker sage who has decided to concentrate on poker and renounced the rest of the world, or what?

Well, the "natural" player thing is all rubbish. In fact, you just cannot be a natural player in poker. However, applying the tactics and system will improve your winning percentage 10 fold.

And there is no person in the world who is perfect. The problem with players who think they are "natural" is that they are simply better at predicting their opponents' moves than other players and, thus, get a puffed ego.

However, such an attitude may harm your playing skills. This is because you will not be open to changing your poker strategy. And remember: even the best player has room for improvement.

MISTAKE 4: you become too emotional.
Texas holdem demands emotional control. This is no place for the sensitive souls who shed tears at every stage of the game.

This is poker; some win the game and some lose. Some may be very close to cash and get knocked out while some may not even step to the next round. Whatever may be the case; you should have the attitude of "let go" and not be too attached to the result of the game.

Most of the players get too emotional in poker. The main reason is that your money as well as your ego is at stake here - the perfect potion to swirl your emotions!

You have to avoid committing this mistake, if you want to win at Texas Holdem. And the best way is to expect in advance about the forthcoming pressure and stress at the table. Be mentally prepared to get knocked out or broke.

No matter what happens, do not go for tilt. This is one of the reasons of players going broke.

MISTAKE 5: You play the wrong stakes.
The stakes determine the skill of a player. If you are outmatched already, then nobody can save you from losing. But, if you are better than others at the table, then there are hopes. Thus, playing the right stakes is a matter of balance.

A great way to decide on the right stakes is to estimate your profit every hour. The difference in this profit at a $5 game and a $10 game can be remarkable. In a $20 game, you may even get bankrupt in seconds!

The best strategy is to move up and, if your stakes are not working, do not hesitate to move down and build your cash again. Try to build your cash when you are confident that your move will work.

Repeat this process and you will find a striking increase in your bankroll. And once this happens, you can enter into big games, which means big money!

MISTAKE 6: Your focus is too much on the cards.
Play the players and not the cards. It's true that cards establish the winner, but it happens only when a hand survives till the end of the game and all other cards are tossed over.

Even good poker players rarely make their hands reach the end. This is because they either compel their opponents to fold, or maybe fold to choose a read on their opponents. You should toss your cards till the end only when you are confident of having the best hand and have got the most out of some amateur for a tempting pot.

So, from now on, start focusing on the player who is your opponent in the game. Find out his or her betting styles, moves, behavior, and so on.

MISTAKE 7: you are too predictable.
If you are observing your opponents, then it's obvious that your opponents should also be observing you. And here is when you make the biggest mistake. You become easily predictable. And once this happens, forget winning the game!

This is because each time you get hold of good cards, your opponents will fold. And each time you are left with bad cards, your opponents will bet!

How to avoid this disaster? The only way is to have a hold over your betting patterns.

Bet strong hands for a while, then apply some mixed strategies to baffle your opponents, such as betting odd amounts, or making similar pre-flop raise for 8-7 suited as well as for pocket 10's, or whatever you can think of. The catch is to surprise your opponents and not let them predict your next move.