Top Ten Real Money Poker Tips
Want to become a winning real money poker player? Here's a few important poker tips to help you get started.
Tip One: Don't Autopilot: Once you learn the "proper way" to play Texas Hold'em, it's also easy to forget it's a game and lapse into predictable play especially when playing on the Internet. You'll also see many more hands per hour when playing poker online, which can psychologically make each hand seem less "valuable". If you find yourself playing robotically, not adjusting your play to the table and each player at the table, or you're not mixing up your game, you're guilty and should play another day when you're fresher. One of the qualities of the best poker players on earth is the ability to play at their peak for extended periods of time. Try to develop this skill yourself if you play long sessions.
Tip Two: Never Show Your Hand: I'm convinced that this is the best route to take. Some players believe in the ancient art of showing either a bluff (if they're a tight player) or a good hand (if they bluff a lot). This fools no one. It's better to never show. It helps your image at the poker table and makes you a little tougher to figure out. If someone asks you what you had say you "forgot". They usually reply to that with "LOL." Conversation over.
Tip Three: Table Chat: Avoid getting into long chats with other players. You can't play well and carry on a decent conversation at the same time, so don't try. If you must make friends and throw compliments around, aim for the two players on your right. They're the ones who are in the position to pound your blind. Making allies there can save you some money. Many players you befriend will refrain from raising your blind almost as if you are on the same "team". Skeptical? You wouldn't believe how many times it's worked for me.
Tip Four: Game Selection: Most poker sites have statistics about each game being played in the games lobby. Spend more time here than the average player. Don't sign up for the "first available game" option and always watch a round or two at a table before you sign on for a seat. Check the available stats on the games at the limit you want to play and use them to find a table you can beat with your style of play. You'll know the average pot size, what percentage of callers before the flop, etc. If you're not happy in your game or the player change, check the lobby to see if there are other juicier games.
Tip Five: Don't Whine No Matter What: This is an online disease. Have some dignity and don't cry over the river. Everyone takes their fair share of bad beats, especially in low limit. If you're steaming just take a break or fold the next few hands until you calm down.
Tip Six: Don't Give Lessons at the Table: So you finally went and read a poker book and now you're an "expert." Keep it to yourself. You won't find any decent players dishing out advice. They know it's counterproductive to educate bad poker players. If you do this, every good player at the table will know you've been playing poker for exactly not long and will pound you accordingly.
Tip Seven: Never Point Out Bad Play: This is another thing that's way more prevalent online than it is in the casinos thanks to the "I'm invisible" factor. You don't benefit from scaring away the fish at your poker table by criticizing their bad play. You want them to stay at the table!
Tip Eight: Observe The Table: Don't just focus on your own cards pay close attention to the actions of the other players at the table even when you are not involved in a hand. Especially pay attention when hands go to showdown to see if you can pickup any vital information about what hands an opponent got to showdown with it may help in future hands against them.
Tip Nine: Got FPS?: Getting overly creative at the lower limit games is not necessary to beat these games. It's easy to get carried away when you've watched elite poker players battle it out online or on TV. Stick to playing solid ABC poker and avoid FPS (fancy play syndrome).
Tip Ten: Calculate Pot Odds: This is a fundamental part of the game that cannot be ignored. Always calculate the pot odds to ensure you are always getting the right odds to call with draws or hands that can improve to winning hands. It will ensure you will make a profit in the long run, which is what playing real money poker is all about.