Poker tournaments seem to be the favorite setting for beginner players. After all, most people get into poker after hearing about the multi-million dollar prize pools offered in tournaments, and satellite scrub accountants-turned millionaires – a la Chris Moneymaker. But just as in any other form of poker, beginners are prone to big mistakes that are unfortunately repeated over and over again. Here are a few of the mistakes that beginners definitely need to avoid.
Trying to Double up Early
In order to win a poker tournament, you need to get everyone’s chips. That being said, too many beginners focus everything on doubling up early on just so they can establish themselves as a chip leader. Now if the chance arises – such as you getting pocket aces pre-flop and somebody is willing to call your all-in move – then by all means try to double up. However, don’t force it by going all-in with something like K-Q in the beginning.
Focusing on your own Hand
Another big mistake a lot of beginners make is only focusing on what they hold. Now you obviously want to be sure and have good cards before making any calls, raises, etc., but you also need to keep in mind what other players might hold. For instance, if you get a straight on a board of 9h-10s-Jh-3c-Kh, you definitely have a good hand. However, you also have to consider that somebody else could be holding a flush based on the board.
Going All-in Pre-flop too often
As mentioned before, if you can get somebody to go all-in with you pre-flop while holding aces or kings, this is a good risk to take. However, don’t get caught up in going all-in pre-flop because you will get burned more times than not. On a full table, it’s very likely that at least one hand can outdraw you after the flop.
With all of the good players in poker today, you’ve absolutely got to be on your best game to be a profitable player. And making countless mental mistakes is a good way not to be on your best game. There are literally thousands of mental errors you can make during a game, but these 3 are the top mistakes you need to avoid.
Seven Card Stud certainly isn’t as popular as it was a decade ago, but that doesn’t mean nobody is playing it. In fact, there are still plenty of Seven Card Stud tournaments out there including some major WSOP events. Seeing as how Stud isn’t totally irrelevant, let’s take a look at some tips for how to get started with this game.
Big pots are what defines a No-Limit Texas Hold’em player’s success. Sure there are lots of little small wins along the way that can boost your bankroll, but it’s the big pots that will make or break your bankroll. That’s why you need to know how to both build big pots and play them in Hold’em. Here is a look at how to accomplish this so you can properly play big pots and earn lots of money while doing so.
Poker strategists discuss table position all of the time. Early, middle, and late positions have been thoroughly dissected from every angle so most people know how to bluff from these spots. But one area of the table you don’t see discussed much is the blinds – especially the big blind. That’s why many people aren’t sure on how to bluff from this position. With that in mind, let’s take a look at bluffing from the big blind.
While you can divide poker playing strategy into numerous divisions, everything boils down to this: tight versus loose. Tight players like to sit back, wait for the nuts to come, and suck unsuspecting opponents into their trap. Loose players, on the other hand, prefer to be more aggressive by betting and raising as frequently as possible. With the two styles of play obviously differing from each other, people have long debated about which philosophy is the best. So let’s attempt to solve this debate right now.
Season 6 of NBC’s hit show Poker After Dark had quite a beginning as the announcers hit the tables in what was entitled “Commentators III”. High Stakes Poker hosts Gabe Kaplan and Kara Scott (who was just recently named a host), Joe Sebok, Mark Gregorich, and of course Poker After Dark host Ali Nejad all took a seat in the Season 6 opener.
When most players have pocket jacks in late position, they’re willing to at least make a call. And why not since pocket jacks is one of the best hands you can have before the flop is turned over. But there are times when this decision doesn’t turn out to be the best one as a raise, and re-raise hit the table.
When you’re holding a big pocket pair, drawing is a little easier since you know the payoff will be big assuming your hand hits. Even if the board doesn’t give you a set, you’re still in pretty good shape with a high pair. However, holding a middle pocket pair is a different story since you are left with little if your card doesn’t land on the board.
