The Executive Suite: How to Play Poker Like a Pro

Monday, September 23, 2013

How to Play Poker Like a Pro

So you want to play poker like a pro? There are several tips that can help the average poker player become more successful. Whether you're a recreational player or a tournament player, this article will discuss several ways to increase your success and winnings.

Suggestions

Be confident. Even before most players play their first hand or sit down at the table for that matter, they have already lost. Confidence is an overwhelming factor that all of the pros have. You need to know you can win. When you do eventually sit at the table, show your confidence to the rest of the table by not shying away and not making weak bets or limping in. We will discuss this further in a later section.
Know the table. When everyone is talking among themselves before the dealer has dealt the first hand, look around the table and try to get an idea of who you're up against. Look at the way they speak. Are they aggressive? Are they passive? Do they have any tells? (A tell in poker is any sign from a player - physically or mentally - that helps reveal something about the player.) Many players often give away much of this information before a hand is played. While the game is being played, always know how much you have in your stack, as well as the round abouts of what everyone else at the table has. This will help you with how often and how much to bet. Always know the pot size, especially when you are in the hand.
Also, be humble. One of the biggest and most expensive mistakes for amateur players is that they will remain in a hand, even when they know they are beat. For example, you are holding Ace-King suited, you raise pre-flop and three players call you. The flop comes up 6-8-7 none of while match your suit. You have to accept the fact that you are probably behind. Try not to bet or even call a bet because you are probably just throwing away your chips.
Finally, know how and when to bet. This is probably the most crucial step in learning to play like the pros. In a previous step, we learned to always be aware of where the chips are. This will help you know when to bet and, more importantly, how much. Lets say you're playing in a game with six people and the blinds are 2-4. You want to raise before the flop but don't know how much. If you bet too little everyone will call. If you bet too much, no one will call. The proper bet would be 16, try to bet three times the big blind. This will push out all the weak hands but leave you with a couple callers. One way to spot an amateur is a really weak bet. So you're heads up going to the river card. The pot is big and you and your competitor have been betting big. Never make a minimum bet!!! Your competitor will assume you missed your card and immediately call you.

Tips

Don't chew gum when playing poker. It can be a very good tell even though you may not think it.
If you're in a hand, or someone else is in a hand, keep the chatter down. Again you may give away a tell.
Start off slow, play a few games with some friends before you work up the confidence to play in that big $500 tournament.
Never gamble more money than you have.
Never gamble under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Never gamble if you are depressed.