Poker really is a game of skill, but it’s actually really to understand. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll be able to start playing it immediately when you’re able to master the basics.
So how do you go from being a casual player to a professional one? If you want to take that next step, then take a look below.
Research the Game
They say that knowledge is power and this is very much the case with poker. Professional poker players spend ages mastering the game even after they have managed to reach a very high level. If you want to help yourself then you need to do your research and you also need to make sure that you hone your craft. Experiencing bad beats and also trying out a lot of different techniques will help you to find out what works best for you and the way that you like to play.
Know the Rules
It really does go without saying that you have to know the rules of the type of game that you want to play. There are, after all, several variations and some of them will have nuances that might, or might not suit your style of play. The most famous is Texas Hold’Em. This carries a lot of similarities if you have ever played Stud Poker before.
Hand ranking, positional play and even blinds are all very important and you have to make sure that you understand them all before you jump right in. Etiquette is also very important for you to add to your base of knowledge. This will help you to feel much more comfortable when sat at the table. This will also help you to learn how to get into the WSOP.
Register with a Poker Site
You might have done your research and you might have also eliminated some of the gaps that were in your gaming knowledge. If this is the case, then now is the time for you to learn how to practice. The only way that you are able to do this is by playing. If you want to do this then you need to register with a poker site.
When you do, you will be able to take advantage of free tables, some low-stake games and even freeroll tournaments too. You also have large fields and this will help you to experience some of the lows and highs of becoming a poker player. Gaining confidence at the table will help you to move up the ladder.
Only Play Hands that you Can Win
This may sound simple, but throwing your junk away while stopping yourself from playing hands that your opponent actually wants you to go ahead with is a great strategy. Patience and management are what you need to try and specialise in here, so play the expected value before you flop as this will give you the chance to succeed from the get-go.
When to Bluff
Betting when you are strong and then folding when you are weak might be a good start, but you have to remember that, at the same time, you need to play a game that is going to keep your opponent guessing. If you add bluffing to your game when you bet, then this will give you a much better hand.
You need to try and engage the other players on the table and you also need to become much stronger at everything you do. Only by doing this, will you be able to develop the skills you need to become a much more efficient poker player.
Stay Alert
Sitting at a poker table or even in front of your computer will test your mental endurance. Concentration is certainly a skill that you are going to need. You have to be able to spot strengths and to also look out for false alarms. Any edge that you can give yourself will help you to overcome your opponent and it will also help you to come out on top. It may also benefit you to take breaks and for you to stay hydrated. If you drink alcohol when you are playing poker, then this won’t be doing you any favours and you may even find that you are unable to get the result you want.
Manage your Bankroll
If you do not have a bankroll, then you won’t be able to play. You have to make sure that you are doing everything you can to manage what you have, and you also need to watch how much you are betting.
This will keep you in the game and it will also help you to get the edge you need. Even the best poker players come out with a loss from time to time though, so if you bet too much then you may end up putting yourself in a bad position financially.
The stakes that you play in cash games or even the buy-in that you have to put down at a tournament should all influence your bankroll. If you do decide to play your risks too high then you may end up going bust. If you bet big and have the bankroll for it then there is nothing wrong with going for a high stakes game when you feel ready.
Choosing the Right Games
You may love Texas Hold’em, but at the end of the day, you might have a particular talent for PLO or even Stud Poker. If this is the case, then you should focus on playing them over the other games that are out there.
If you do, then this will benefit you more overall and you may even find that you are able to come out with more wins. Of course, you are going to lose at first, but if you try hard and if you put the effort in when learning the rules then you’ll soon find that it’s easier than ever for you to really change the game outcome.
