Beginner Strategies
May 26 2008
It can be tough for true online poker newbies to know where to start when they step into the world of online poker for the first time. If you’re a true online poker rookie, here are five quick tips to get you started on the right foot.
1.
Try play money. Don’t just dump money into your poker account and hit the tables. Even if you’ve played at other online poker rooms, the first time you try a new room make sure to play at least a few hands at the play-money tables to familiarize yourself with the site. Get to know where the buttons are and the overall layout of the table before putting your hard-earned money at stake.
2.
Keep stats and notes. If you truly want to improve your game and make some money at poker, you’ll want to identify the weaknesses and holes in your game and isolate them. There’s no better way to do that than by keeping notes on your game and your fellow players. You can also spring some cash for one of the numerous types of tracking software out there, or if you’re cheap the old standby of pen and paper will do.
3.
Fold bad hands. Don’t be afraid to get out of a hand. Some beginner players fall in love with their cards and play them long after they should have tossed them in the muck. Don’t think about the four outs you have that would give you the nuts. Instead, you should be thinking, “I only have four outs and the odds are against me so I should fold.”
4.
Leave a losing table. If you’re at a table that is stocked with players that are much better than you, and their stacks keep growing while yours is continually shrinking, close up shop and move to a different table. Don’t let pride cost you a ton of chips. If you’re being outplayed look for a table more akin to your pace and at least give yourself a fighting chance of winning some hands.
5.
Be patient. Don’t expect to start hauling in big money in your first online poker session. If making a living playing poker was easy, many more people would be doing it. In the beginning don’t be surprised to see your bankroll fluctuate wildly as luck goes your way one day, while the next day a more skilled player takes you to school. Be patient, improve your game with perseverance and experience, and eventually you should start winning more cash than you’re giving to your fellow players.
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