Are you new to the world of poker? Congratulations, you have found an amazing game to play, but there might be some things that you might not have grasped quite yet. Here are five things that we think all poker beginners will need to be aware of when they start playing.
Learn Your Game
You need to make sure that you know your variation of poker inside and out. Many players come to pick up Texas Hold’em first, but there are many other variations that you could try. Omaha and Seven-Card Stud are also very popular, and you might even discover that you prefer them to Hold’em. Try not to get your poker games mixed up. Knowing a few variations will inevitably help you out if you want to play a multi-hand game, but you should master one first – just like how you might prefer to play on a console like a PlayStation over others.
Playing Online Means You Don’t Need to Bluff
Don’t get us wrong, if you intend to play in a live poker game at some point then you are going to need to learn how to bluff if you want to be successful. However, when you are just learning how to pick up the game and practice some strategies, playing online can be a bonus. By heading to a site like GGPoker for example, you can gain valuable experience playing in a real poker game but without having the worry of whether or not you have a ‘tell’ interrupting your game.
Manners Cost Nothing
You always need to make sure that you are gracious at the poker table, whether you win or lose. There are far too many poker players who have a bad name attached to them because they are known for throwing tantrums when games don’t go their way. Even if you are playing online, you need to be polite in the chat you share with other players. Shouting or using abusive language will just result in a swift ban from a poker site.
You Won’t Win the WSOP First Time
If you have mastered the tables in your local casino or you just want to try out the experience of a major tournament, you might be tempted to enter a WSOP tournament. While it is a fantastic learning experience for you, remember that some of the best players in the world have come to play here. Though first timers have managed to walk away with bracelets and big prizes, they are very much in the minority. You should instead be prepared to have a good game or two, but ultimately not advance too far in the competition.
Don’t Play with Money Against Friends
When many people get into poker, they can get a little overenthusiastic and encourage their friends to start playing with them. A friendly poker night every now and then can be a fantastic social activity, but you need to make sure that you don’t play with real money. Only ever use the chips that come in your poker set. Things can get very ugly faster than you like when playing with real money, and it is not worth ruining a friendship over.
Entering the world of poker as a beginner can be a lot of fun, but does require a little caution in some areas. Before you know it, you will be up to speed and ready to take on a competition. Those days in which you truly felt like a complete novice will be long behind you. The best way to gain experience in poker is by playing so find a game to suit you now!