Are you frustrated with your current poker game? Have you tried and tried to improve but nothing seems to work? Well why not try out a few of these strategies that are offered by some of the top poker players in the world.
- Know Your Opponents: First, know your poker players. Keep track of their play and evaluate your opponents play in certain situations. Know the different types of players at the table, the blinds, how tight or loose the table is, table position, playing on multiple tables, etc. Use this knowledge to your advantage. For example, if a player is a blind defender and will fold readily to a raise, try to steal that blind whenever you can.
- Know The Game: Play only the most popular poker games, or ones that are played regularly enough that you know the ins and outs of the game. If you are a tournament player, stick to the tournament types that are popular in televised tournaments. If you are a cash game player, find tournaments that have a low buy-in cost. You will often get a better return on your buy-in than grinding out a couple of small buy-ins.
- Know The Players: Find out who the top players at your table are. Keep track of your opponents opponents chip stacks, and look at how the different players stack their chips. Look for extremes, such as very conservative players, or very aggressive players. Do not settle for a conservative player, especially if there is a very aggressive player in the house. Also, look for a “mentor” to lead the player into better hands. This may be someone who has been beaten badly, but he will make a comeback and lure other players into their degeneracy.
- Know The Situational Rigging: Certain situs tables are known to be rigged tighter than others. Certain players will tighten up their game when they know they have a big hand. Watch for these rip-offs, and be sure to play your best game.
- Know Your Opponents: Be sure to remember the type of players on your table. If a very tight player is sitting at your table, you should probably avoid him unless you have a huge hand (omeness of the flop)
- Know Which Stakes You are Fonging From: If you are playing on a regular basis, you should know if a table is full of regulars or junk players (or a lot of novice players). A table full of junk players is not a profitable table, and will not increase your bankroll. On the other hand, a regular table will most likely be profitable if you are a good player.
- Know Which Stakes You are NOT FALLING From: Remember that on a regular basis, players will be bringing chips to the table from all causes. A common mistake on a regular basis is to turn someone into a donkey by allowing them to stay in the hand when you would have folded. For example, if a player has a pair of fives, and you have shown rare strength, turn your strength into liability by allowing him to stay in the hand. Regular players will do this all the time, and few remember doing so, which is being slow playing the game.
- Don’t shorten pre-flop in blinds: When everyone gets desperate to defend their blinds in position, meaning that you are first to act in a hand, you should not NET short. If you are holding a blind, just put in a small raise, and up the price some.
- Let the runners cool their heels: There’s nothing worse than running a table on a whim, or to chase a ball. Players who feed off each other will not last for long. When the tables get short, get out while you can and save your chips for better opportunities.
- There’s no time for excuses: When a player is begging for a call, and your only explanation is that you have absolutely nothing left, then you can excuse yourself from the hand.
These are only a few of the simple guidelines you should remember. Follow them, and you will soon turn the corner from a broke to a wealthy poker player.