Although the results of casino games like poker are usually random, we can never ignore the power of honing your skills. This is not only for novices looking to dip their toes into the digital card rooms but also for seasoned players seeking to better their gaming experiences.
More and more people have been welcoming poker, which is partly because of the widespread popularity of the internet. Now, you can conveniently participate in online poker without having to attend a physical location.
There’s no more hassling with traffic or spending long hours waiting for your turn. With just a simple touch of a button, you are good to go – enjoying the game right at your fingertips.
But with more people playing comes the question of what you are doing to master the game. If you have such questions and have been looking to improve your poker skills, look no further.
This article will provide you with the necessary information to get you ahead. Buckle up, and let’s explore.
The importance of playing at the right site
Before we even go further, are you aware that, according to EGR North America, the online gambling industry alone was suspected to have a digital fraud rate of about 10.9%? In another place, a recent Wifi Talents report highlighted that online casino scams had risen by about 87% in the past year.
Such statistics are a testament to the fact that you cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the reputation of the platform you are using. You want to always ensure the platform is secure, reliable, and trustworthy.
After all, who wants to become a victim, especially now that cybercriminals seem so interested in the gambling industry? And the more the industry grows, the more interested the threat actors become, as they have more potential to affect more people.
Once you have ensured the platform is reliable, you can now pay attention to the following strategies.
Carefully choose your starting hand
Most rookie players are usually tempted to play every hand. Even if you only play for fun, you want the best experience.
That’s why you need to carefully choose the starting hand. You may want to pass on a mediocre hand while pouncing on a monster. If you are among the last to act, you can choose a few premium cards to raise and fold the better part of your preflop holdings.
Here are some of the best starting hands for you:
- If you want to be one of those who act first after the flip, you can raise cards like A-A and K-K in an early position.
- You can also include hands like 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, and suited aces such as A-10 and A-9.
It might be worth mentioning that you don’t need to be too attached to small pairs like 2-2, as they should only help you extract value on the flop.
Take advantage of ranges and not hands
In poker, observation plays a crucial role in successful gameplay. What moves are your opponents taking? Does that reveal anything about their expertise – whether they are novices or experts?
For example, you can tell one is a beginner if they focus too much on a specific poker hand. Advanced players, on the contrary, think more in terms of ranges, which really comes in handy when calculating pot odds.
Range refers to the whole scale of hands available to a player in a specific situation. And since an expert player expects the opponent to show this entire scale, they will not focus on winning with a single hand.
The idea is to identify the best hand to play while predicting the opponent’s range. But if it’s a beginner, they will only focus on one hand to act out their gut feelings as soon as possible.
Remember, opponents will always want to use your emotions against you. They will only be successful if you allow them.
To avoid such instances, you can take a break from the game and relax a bit.
Paying attention to betting patterns
As we have already hinted, opponents are often studying your moves. And as a beginner, it may pay off to watch their patterns, as that may help you familiarize yourself with some enhanced tricks.
Use different styles of play
Here are some popular poker game approaches
- Tight – Use few hands and don’t take too many risks
- Loose – Use a lot of hands and take more risks
- Aggressive – Make a lot of moves to put the opponent under pressure
- Passive – the opponent is more aggressive
- Slow playing – it’s more deceptive; you play a weak hand with a strong holding.
Taking advantage of position
Position is important because it can help you understand the moves of other players, especially if you are in a late position. Also, position will help you determine which hands to raise and call with.
Learn about bluffing
What happens if you miss the flop or turn? That’s why it’s important to learn how to bluff to get better hands to fold. You may want to start by learning how to play the continuation bet.
A c-bet will keep you moving, whether you’ve struck a flop or not. And if you want to hide your hands as an aggressive player, c-bets can be a great way to go.
Conclusion
With poker becoming more competitive, you want to always be ahead of opponents. Therefore, by following these strategies, you can be sure to enhance your experience and outcome.
