7 Beginner Poker Tips - Avoid the Common Mistakes

My recommended places to play online poker:

Ignition is great for beginners, America's Cardroom is for advanced players, and Betonline is for anyone!

It’s really difficult to find beginner poker tips that actually lead to winning money at the table. In fact, most of the beginner Texas Hold’em tips that I see out there focus solely on how to play poker. Like when to bet, check, or fold, which, while important, do not necessarily translate immediately into making someone a winning player and avoiding mistakes.

1. There Is No Such Thing as Luck

If you want to maximize your chances of becoming the best player you can possibly be, then you need to check your belief in luck at the door. Now, don’t get me wrong, over the short or even mid-term anyone can be lucky or unlucky and run over or under expectation. What you simply must not believe in is the possibility that someone can be predestined for good luck or bad luck.

2. Play in Position as Much as Possible
Position in poker means you either act first or you act last. When we talk about playing
"in position" we are talking about acting after your opponent. My number one poker fundamental is to try and play in position more than your opponents. This gives you an informational advantage that sets you up for success.

How do we play in position more? The simplest way is to play less hands in early position and in the blinds and to play more hands in the seats at the table that will likely have you playing in position, namely the cutoff seat and button.

3. Poker Tells Are Overrated
"reliance on some kind of tell big mistake"
If you have ever watched people play poker in movies or on television, you would think that the way to win is to learn someone’s “tell.” While physical mannerisms do occasionally play into the decision-making process for a live player, it is only one very small piece of the puzzle when it comes to hand-reading and adjusting to other players. The truth is that learning timing tells and betting patterns are much more reliable tips in figuring out what your opponents are doing.

4. Become a Student of the Game
Since you are watching this video, you are probably the type that understands the value of study in becoming good at anything. In poker, constantly improving and working to eliminate your leaks is imperative to success. I have found that the best way to do this is to compartmentalize the game into smaller, more manageable elements. Rather than trying to work on everything at once, it’s best to focus on one thing at a time.

To aid in your study, there are a few software programs that I recommend:

An Equity Calculator- Equilab
Hand Analysis Software- Cardrunner's EV

5. Tight Is Not Right
To play tight means to play very few hands and wait on so-called "strong" hands to get involved. While this will certainly make a losing player lose money slower, it will really do nothing to help you become a big winner in today's games. Yet still, you will hear this tired old phrase thrown around every once in awhile. Learn to understand that winning at poker is about playing a style of game that best fits the “table dynamic,” which is mostly determined by the types of opponents you are currently playing at any table. That usually entails playing the opposite style of the other players and the key is learning to profile them and take good notes.

6. Always Consider the Aggressive Play First
Fold equity is one of the most powerful concepts to understand. Basically, it is the amount of money won through aggressive actions such as betting or raising. It does not require that you show down your cards. If you never bet or raise, then you are missing out on a lot of profit.

Based on the money won through fold equity, anytime you are contemplating an action in poker you should always consider the aggressive play first. Only if the aggressive play is not profitable should you even consider a passive play like checking or calling.

7. Memorize a Default Poker Strategy
I’m sure you’ve heard that adjusting to your opponents is one of the most important skills to develop as a poker player. Even so, before you can adjust you have to have a baseline from which to adjust from. I call this a “vacuum strategy,” which basically just means how you play when you have absolutely no information.
For new players, the best way to get started developing your own Texas Hold’em strategy is to begin with a very basic gameplan. Then, as you gain experience, incrementally add on more advanced concepts into the mix.

[AutomaticPoker]

I built a 40 big blind chart-based cash game strategy that takes advantage of poker population errors. Perfect for those that prefer a straightforward math-based strategy!

[matsujonen]

I play hold'em without looking at my cards. Then im just as surprised when I win as my opponents. I can't give out any hand information if I don't know what's in my hand.

[goutvols]

How do you make thousands in poker? Start with a million.

[LumboJacko]

you forgot to add that you cant be all loosey, goosey, eating a sandwich, man do i love that tip.

[transfer_heads]

You need to understand that everything you do at the poker table, conveys information.

[kylemacneil]

I'm here so I can beat Neal on Red Dead Redemption 2

[WEBBER_]

Agreed. Some players refuse to check their ego at the door before taking a seat.

[kevinpowers]

Those who chase straights and flushes ride home on Greyhound
buses

[LeoCraftingTV]

Very interesting information. I'm usually a pretty tight player, and I think that works in the beginning of the game. Atleast it can usually get you to the top 3 or something like that. But to win you need more advanced strategies.

[carsonbarnes]

5:15 what a confidence boost. thanks man!

[lfgamble]

This is a solid video, ive been playin alot of hold em lately. Well, winning solid amounts money online, in large tourneys mainly. I feel like i kind of naturally understood how and when to bluff. Like, u definetly want the pot to be heads up, and u play the board rite, like when something hits the board that makes u seem stronger. Like the board pairing on the turn. Or the 3rd card to a str8 or flush. Thats when i will make a solid sized bet. Obviously, u can and will get called sometimes. But theres a feeling i get about when to go for it. And theres also times where its ez to fold because my best draw, based on my hand is like a single pair. Things like thay, i could elaborate way more. But basically theres a time, when u assume this guy doesnt have it. And theres times when u get check raised and gotta let it go.

[AutomaticPoker]

My recommended place to play online poker:

[sspacebarr]

I’m here so I can get some cowboy drip on red dead online

[Beanmachine]

beginner or advanced all poker strategy is good, its good to have a lot of styles to adjust as the game changes dynamics

[TonyEnglandUK]

Every time I bluff, my opponent has the nuts. That's the way I rock n roll.

[MJ-spzh]

"You control your own destiny", that's soo awesomee😂😂

[silkroad]

The hardest part of any form of gambling is quitting while you're ahead and thinking you'll be more ahead after "one more game"

[BD-zgis]

This video makes me realize I truly am a beginner bc I didn't understand some stuff. Good video thanks!

[jamesspencer]

Very helpful for an absolute beginner like myself. Thank you.

[LatinoWebStudio]

Thanks so much for the video! I had been playing with some friends then they up the stakes and I stopped playing because I kept losing but just realized that like with everything else, is about learning and studying (which you mention in the video) so I appreciate all the great tips and I'll definitely check out your article