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Special poker skills
Poker is about much more than just playing the cards. There are many different skills you need to be successful.
You have to be observant:
- Keep track of the other players' actions at the table. The information you gather about your opponents will give you a big advantage in tight situations. How do they play their hands and what do their bets, raises, calls and checks mean? When you know this you will always be able to make correct decisions.
- Keep your ears open and listen to what the other players say during the game. This is a great way to acquire knowledge that will help you asses the strength of your opponents' hands at any given time. A lot of players talk too much at the poker table and gives away valuable information this way.
- Be aware of what tells you're giving away. Just as you are watching the other players they are watching you and they will take advantage of any glitch in your game.
You have to be flexible:
- Unpredictability is absolutely necessary if you want to be a poker winner. If you're able to confuse your opponents they will be hesitant and make mistakes.
- Use your table image to trick the other players. For example, if you have a tight table image you will have a good chance of making successful bluffs. You might scare the other players into folding with a big bet or raise. If you have a loose table image a strong hand can be very lucrative. Your opponents will think of you as a bluffer and are less likely to throw their cards away.
- Adjust your playing style to the flow of the game. When the other players are playing tight you should play loose and vice versa.
- Make "crazy plays" and reveal your cards to everybody at the table. This will give your opponents a false understanding of your playing style and that is something you can capitalize on later in the game. This strategy is naturally the most effective when you know you'll be facing the same players for a long time.
You have to be disciplined:
- If you're not physically and mentally prepared you shouldn't play poker. Alcohol and poker is a lousy combination and you should also refrain from playing if you're tired or of balance in some other way. If you start losing your temper you should stop playing immediately. Otherwise you risk going on tilt and that will be very costly.
- Be sure you can handle the opposition in the game. It might be tempting to take on "the big boys" and you might win a hand or two but you will surely lose a lot of money in the long run.
- Strict starting hands standards are an absolute necessity. If you play too many starting hands you will find it very difficult to make a profit over time.
- Be patient and wait for good opportunities to enter pots.
You have to manage your money:
- Only risk money you can afford to lose. You should never play with borrowed money.
- Only play in games you can afford. When you're playing in fixed limit games your bankroll should be at least 300 times the big bet. If you're not prepared for the money swings that are unavoidable in poker you will surely go bankrupt.
- Be aware of how much you are actually winning or losing. One big bet per hour is a decent profit.
