Many people ask me what my secret is to beating the game of poker. Many people, it seems, think that there is some special technique that if they learned they could win every time. Still others think that there is some ritual that they can do to increase their luck and their winnings. The simple truth is that the only thing you need to do to be successful in poker is make fewer mistakes than your opponents. You don't need to be a mind reader or possess a computer like ability to calculate odds.
Making fewer mistakes starts when you decide where to play. For example I'm playing mostly at UltimateBet and Full Tilt Poker. I've chosen these sites not just for their reputation for security and customer service but also because they have a lot of loose action in my preferred game Texas Hold'em. Once you've decided where to play the game, limits, blind level, table and even the seat you choose can affect your bottom line. Here are a few things to remember so that you can minimize your mistakes:
- Choosing to play against at a level your bank-roll can't support or sitting down at a table full of sharks is a mistake no matter how skilled you are.
- Don't be afraid to get up and go to a different table if you are playing to the best of your ability and still losing.
- Strive for a tight aggressive game but don't forget to adapt your style to the type of opponents you are up against.
- Use your opponents emotions against them and never let yours be used against you. J
- Remember that every decision you make will affect the outcome of your game and whether or not you come out a winner.
- Once you've mastered the fundamentals of poker the ultimate secret weapon is patience and experience.
Check out my posts on Understanding Probability and Odds, Pot Odds Primer and Hand Selection for more ideas on how to master the fundamentals.
Play Online Poker |
