Blog

• 0
• 0
•  396

The rise of online casinos over the past years has brought new demographics and players to one of the most long standing card games played in modern times: poker. But despite its popularity, poker can still feel daunting to get into if you’re a new player – especially if you might be playing against more seasoned individuals. That’s because unlike games of luck like online slots, poker does require some strategy and takes some time to become good at.

In this article, we look at some of the stop tips and essential strategies for new poker players. Read on to find out what they are!

Start with a good hand

It can be tempting as a new online poker player to think that any hand you have can begin to have a chance to win. And while Lady Luck definitely has a role to play with the game of poker, you should always be selective with your starting hand.

This prevents you from entering into any pots with hands that aren’t so great, which can of course, lead to a loss.

Avoid bluffing

While ‘bluffing’ is a part of poker that gets shown a lot in television and films, the reality is you should limit it as a tactic for winning. A better strategy, especially as a beginner, is to know the rules and play your cards well — and only tip your toe into bluffing with some experience.

Bluffing when you’re not entirely confident in the game can actually be a serious ‘tell’ to other players, so only use it in moderation when you feel like you’ve got the basics down.

 

Put yourself in your opponent’s shoes

You can have an amazing hand in front of you, but part of the game of poker is putting yourself in your opponent’s shoes and thinking about what their hand could possibly be. You have to be prepared to fold, even if you have a decent hand, if you get the feeling that your opponent has something better.
As you develop more experience it’s easier to get a ‘sense’ of this. They might even have their own ‘tell’ that can give you information about what type of hand they have.

 

Table selection matters

If you’re just starting out playing a sport you wouldn’t go against a professional player. These same rules apply to poker. Choose what games you play and limit carefully, as this will indicate (at least to some degree) what experience the players at the table also have. 

 

Table position does too

This tip mostly applies to land-based casinos. Think carefully before sitting down at a table at what position you have. One of the best positions to be in is last to act on the hand, which gives you the opportunity to gain knowledge about what other hands are playing before it's your turn.

 

Don’t get distracted

Yes poker is a game that’s meant to be fun, but focus can make all the difference when it comes to how well you play. Keep a close eye on your opponents and how they play, including the moves they make, their body language and what they say. It’s useful information that helps you take some guesses at what cards may have been dealt.

 

Know the rules

It may seem straightforward, but knowing the rules well in poker is one of the most essential steps you can take before you even get to the table. Thankfully these days, there are loads of articles, videos to watch and books you can read to better familiarise yourself with the game and how it’s played.

Before you play for real money, try a few rounds of poker for fun with friends. It can help you test the waters on just how well you know (and can remember) the rules when they matter the most. 

 

Do your research

Before you play at any online or land-based casino it's worth doing a bit of research about how players find the poker experience they offer. These days, there are lots of reviews online which can give you a sense of how trusted and reputable a particular casino might be.

Remember: luck still has a role

As the saying goes, you can’t choose the cards you were dealt! Despite more rules and strategy than other casino games, at the end of the day there’s a lot of luck involved in poker. And you can’t control every aspect of it!