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Improving your poker game is a task that requires patience and dedication.At Ypoker we're going to give you some great poker tips, but the most important piece of advice we can pass on is to spend time researching and even more time practicing. The two are an extremely successful combination, so take your time looking through our tips and good luck!
- Pay attention
Watch and see who the aggressive/loose players are and who the tight players are. (Generally, you should try to play with the loose players. Avoid the tight players when they come into a pot unless you have a strong hand.)
- Playing poker too many hands
Most beginner players play way too many starting hands,
in fact top players typically play between 20-30%
of their starting hands. Concentrate on higher value
- Know when to hold'em, and know when to fold'em
Learn how to fold a hand, and don't be a calling machine.
Many beginner players keep betting regardless of the board or
what their opponent's actions are suggesting.
Top players frequently say it's the hands you can lay
down that are often the key
- Choose less skillful opponents
If you want to win money. Sounds fairly obvious,
but you should play at betting limits where you can
beat the majority of players. Move down in limits if
you are having difficulties winning money. In poker,
always leave your ego at the door.
- Changing Gears
Unpredictability can be good. Most pros can figure out a really loose player by waiting for the nuts and being patient. However, an even easier opponent is a tight player or "rock", who plays only the Group 1 type hands. You need to change your game up, and let them see that you can run bluffs, and can play some lower value starting hands..
- Betting to gain knowledge
Betting is not always because you have the best hand. Top players use various betting techniques to try to gain information. For example, a defensive bet is one that you can use early on to avoid calling a bigger future bet. A re-raise may be used to probe the credibility of your opponent's hand.
- Watch your opponents habits
Especially when you aren't in a hand. The best time
to study is when you aren't emotionally invested
in the hand, and you can make more prudent observations.
Watch how opponents bet, and how much they bet,
in what position are they betting. Learning how
your opponents play is key.
- Learn to put your opponents on a hand
Try putting yourself in your opponents
shoes, and learn to put them on a hand. Ask questions like
"Why did he re-raise me that amount?", and "Why did he
only call in the previous betting round?", "Maybe because
he only called me, he has a kicker problem?"
- Learn how to bluff and semi-bluff
A bluff can be very effective when used rarely,
and where there is a seemingly low risk of being
called by your opponent.
- Understand player position
And how it is critical. Not only is it important
to play strong hands, it is even more important
in what position you play them. For example,
the ideal position is the Button (the Dealer),
as you are last to act, and have the advantage
of watching all of the betting action before you
need to make a decision. eg. If the action before
you consists of a bet, a raise, and a re-raise,
and you hold a pair of Tens, you might think that
folding is the right decision.
- Read books and take notes
Players can always learn more if they want
to be a better poker player. Keep notes on
what works and doesn't work for you,
and eventually you will come up with a style
of play that works uniquely for you and improves
your game. Please see our list of Top Poker Books
if you want to see some good selections.
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