Poker is first and foremost a game of mathematics and psychology. It is necessary to keep on playing to sharpen your skills and improve your strategy. This, in turn, allows you to thrive and flourish in the ultra-competitive environment of Texas Hold’em Poker.
To compete with the best in the business, you need discipline, patience, and emotional intelligence. You need to stay calculative, more composed, and less impulsive. Although anxiety and overestimated confidence can cause you to lose a game, these are a few common mistakes to avoid when playing Texas Hold’em as a rookie.
Calling Stupid Hands
The quickest way to notice a greenhorn on the table is by the ludicrous amount of hands they play. A newbie will play as many hands as he or she is dealt with, even if those that are confirmed duds. The reason behind this is foolishly simple.
They want to be a part of all the action. This even includes those actions that are guaranteed to hurt their bankroll. As a novice player, never do this. It is better to figure out the statistical and analytical side of the game and keep to either top pairs or connected suits.
Staking On a losing Board
Here is a typical mistake from novices. They call bets even when the board is dry or running low. Usually, a player will bet either on a low pair or a high card. Take this to mean that they have something up their sleeves. If you do no, you just might be throwing your money away.
Chasing the Wrong Hands
Here is another emotional trap that rookies like falling into. One good way to reign in your emotions is to play on free poker game apps until online until you feel confident enough to play on land. Playing in a less risky environment will enable you to master the ropes, learning at your pace with far less money to lose.
Never over-commit to a hand. You see amateurs chasing small pairs in the vain hope of hitting trips or making a two-pair. Avoid betting on a hand without a high guarantee of landing a winner.
No knowledge of Bet Size or Pot Odds
Before you begin your journey as a poker player, it is imperative to grasp these two mathematical concepts: pot odds and bet size. The pot odds inform you on your chances of winning the pot solely on the strength of your hand. Some free poker game apps come with pot odds calculators which show you the strength of your hand whenever a new card gets introduced on the board.
Bet Size, on the other hand, gives you info on how much to stake and when to put a large stake. If you cannot understand when your hand is weak, you may end up running down your bankroll quickly.
Final thoughts
Never play with your heart. This is known as tilting. This happens when a player wins too much or vice versa, prompting an uncontrolled gush of emotions. Follow these tips to play Texas Hold’em like a pro.
