If you’re not sure how to get really good at poker, and regain lost ground, then read this as I explain the 10 ways to instantly improve your game.
- Play fewer hands at the start of a game.It’s easier to be aggressive when less players are in the game. Get rid of those weak hands, and just play when you have a good hand.
2.Variation of playWhen you are playing poker there’s a wide choice of how you will play your hand. You can fold, raise, go all-in, re-raise, and even go all-in with a weak hand. However, it is important to understand that all of these actions are Alterations of Play, and not necessarily bad. It just is to be aware of them. If you become too predictable, then your opponents will simply fold their hands to you, as they know you will fold yours.
- Focus on the table.Remember the time when you first started playing poker? It seems long ago now, but I’m sure you have a similar first impression of the game – bright, fast, and above all, aggressive.
When you first start playing poker, concentrate on your own game. Get to know your competition, and try to niche them into a type of player. Perhaps, you think the guy is a calling station who just wants to play any two cards, or perhaps is super tight and only plays really good hands. These are simplistic analyses, and provide a basis for your aggressiveness based on hand strength.
- Take freerolls seriously.To win at poker, you need to regularly win pots. Freerolls are a great way to win poker tournament money. On top of that, freerolls provide a chance to play in large cheap tournaments with lax opposition.
However, it is important to avoid spending too much money in freerolls. They are well known for decks being sold to the high cost of entry, and poor play. By spending too much, you can’t help but lose money overall.
- Don’t get sucked into bad beats.I know this is the natural instinct, and speaks to the heart of the game. If your gut tells you that you are probably beaten, by the cards or your opponent’s actions, then it is probably right.
However, the moment you Circus-Call an un-folded bet, that is just not statistically probable. Even if you believe your opponent has a better hand, there is still a 70% chance they are just drawing, so shouldn’t you fold?
- Play less hands.If you are constantly folding hands, or not really watching your opponents, you will know by the end of the session if you have played too few hands, or too many.
My rule of thumb is, if I don’t have a good hand, I don’t play it. The hands you want to save for playing highly are likely AA, KK, QQ, AK and AQ suited, and when you hit the flop with these hands you will usually be up against one or two players, making the odds so heavily stacked against you.
- Take risks.This is the second most important Texas Hold Em Tournament Strategy for re-raising, continuation betting and playing post-flop. However, it is also very important to understand that you will not win all the time, that you are just in the game to have fun.
Sometimes you will have to take a risk in order to win, other times you will take a risk in order to remain in the dewabet.
- Gamble.Your choices of wagers will determine your overall strategy, but always consider that you are gambling.
The temptation is to hang around for a good hand, that you will probably lose, then you get to see if you can take a big risk for a decent prize. However, that is not the way to play losing. You need to gamble when you can afford to lose, when others are not applying any pressure, and be confident that you will win in the long term.
- Know when to play loose.Playing too tight is one of the most common Texas Hold Em Tournament Strategy mistakes. Loose play is especially prevalent in the early stages of a tournament.
You can play tight in the beginning when you will have the most time to find your opponents. Also, playing tight moments can also be a very good strategy when you know you have a very strong hand. Tight play, as the name suggests, is about waiting for a better hand.
- Know when to call.One of the most important things to remember when developing a Texas Hold Em Tournament Strategy is the need to know when to call or not to call.
Playing too many hands is risky.