Valuable Tips On How To Play Poker

Want to become a better player at poker online games, fast? Follow these four valuable tips to boost your poker performance and profits. Whilst geared to beginner players, these free poker online tips are even for seasoned pros who can refer to them once in a while.

Tip 1: Don't Play Every Hand/Do Fold More

Perhaps the most common mistake made by beginning poker players. When you are starting out free poker online games, you want to play poker successfully, and that doesn’t mean staying in the pot with every hand you get. So, remember, playing more doesn't mean winning more, it usually means losing more. If you find you are staying in hand or more hands you are dealt, you are in need to upgrade your starting hand requirements.

Tip 2: Don't Bluff Just For The Sake of The Game

A lot of novice players understand that bluffing is a part of poker online games, but not exactly how. There is no specific rule that one must bluff a certain amount or at all during poker online games, but most players don't feel like they have won unless they have tried bluffing. Bluff only works in certain situations and against certain people. And, if you know a player who calls to the showdown, it is literally impossible to bluff in front of that player. It is better never to bluff than to bluff and lose.

Tip 3: Don't Stay in a Game Just Because You're Already In It

Another common mistake made by beginners is to think if they have already put so much in the pot, they might as well finish the game. No. You can’t win the pot now just by throwing money in it. There may be cases when pot odds warrant a call, but if you are sure you are beaten, and there is no way your hand can improve, you should fold right away. The money you have already put in isn't yours anymore and you can't get it back just by playing till the end.

Tip 4: Don't Play Mad, Sad, or in a Bad Mood

When you play poker, don't play it to escape depression or because you had a really bad day. You start out on tilt by playing emotionally, not rationally, and you won't play at your best. Likewise, if during a free online poker game, you lose a big hand or get sucked into and feel like you are going on tilt, stand up, take a break, and play when you feel calmer. Fellow players can sense your mood and take advantage of it.

Bottom Line

If you play free poker online, make sure you take advantage of the table statistics provided by most poker websites and keep in mind the above mentioned tips. Choose online poker games with high average pot size and a high percentage of players seeing a flop: the key most online poker players miss.