Players new to the world of online poker tend to make many of the same mistakes again and again until they finally learn the error of their ways.
As is the case when learning anything, there is a good deal of trial and error involved in becoming a successful poker player. Below are five of the most common mistakes made by newcomers to the world of online poker.
1. Over-betting/Under-betting the Pot – When a player over-bets the pot, they are basically betting way more chips than what would be considered a standard bet (typically half or the full amount of what is already in the pot).
An example would be a $300 bet into a pot only containing $200. The player is risking more than what they can win, which is rarely a good idea.
On the flip side, under-betting the pot is an equally poor decision as it will indicate to any experienced players in the game that you may be a beginner. An example of under-betting would be betting $25 into a pot of $300 when you are holding a strong hand.
2. Taking Too Long To Act – Online poker players like the action to move as fast possible, something that becomes impossible when you take a long time to make a decision.
If you truly have a hard strategic decision to make, then by all means take as much time as needed. However if you are watching YouTube in the middle of a game, you are needlessly holding up the action and this can be an indication to other players that you are a beginner.
3. Not Using the “Auto” Tools – Every internet poker room provides players with the ability to take advantage of auto-call or auto-fold options every hand, and it is definitely recommended that you use them.
They help keep the pace of the game moving along very quickly, allowing you to see a new hand sooner rather than later.
4. Playing Too Many Hands – This is the most common mistake of them all. Though it may be tempting to play any two cards in any position, in the long run it will end up losing you a lot of money.
Read up on what the top hands are in Texas Hold’em and focus on only playing those until you become more proficient at the game.
5. Lack of Focus and Attention – One of the fastest ways to lose money needlessly online is to pay little or no attention to the action at the table. Just because you folded your hand doesn’t mean you can’t learn something from watching your opponents play.
How they bet, when they fold and how often they bluff is important information that will help you make better decisions during future hands.
Chris
- Chris Laquinta is a magazine editor, content specialist and poker fanatic with 10+ years writing experience and over 1,500 published articles. Chris is a naitive of Southern California, where he spent his entire life learning gaming concepts and theories from relatives that had been former professional gamblers. He currently resides in Torrance, CA where he works as a professional content writer and part-time SNG professional.
