Simple Poker

Over a long period of time, it’s been observed that many players are not very skilled at the game
of poker. We also learned that it could be difficult to win every time we play.

However, with some sound basic knowledge, plus a little bit of patience, the average player can improve his or her game substantially. This article contains a great amount of material that can help with that task. The following are observations to contemplate, suggestions to be read, and reminders to study. All are designed to allow you to enjoy the game more fully and be more profitable when you do play poker.

• Start playing with friends and family before playing in cardrooms or casinos.


• Play at facilities you enjoy.


• If it’s not going well – walk.


• When not playing a hand – watch every hand.


• Don’t expect to win every hand you play.


• Get a good book and read about your favored poker game.


• By playing in tournaments, you can get a lot of experience at a reasonable cost.


• Take a chance, but not a risk.


• Mathematically, in Hold’em, you can expect to get ace-ace once every 221 hands.


• Concentrate on making a goal, then concentrate on reaching it.


• There are only 1,326 possible two-card starting hands in Texas Hold’em.


• The more you play the more you’ll know.


• Poker sharpens the intellect and forces you to think.


• Try the 3P’s to get your game on track: practice, patience and persistence.


• The only way to develop a feel for the game is to play and play and then play some more.


• To play the game right from the beginning, you must have the knowledge.


• Long-term winners make the fewest mistakes.


• Whenever you’re playing in a tournament be courteous and respectful to the other players.


• The art of poker cannot be taught, it can only be learned.


• After learning the basics of poker your education is just beginning.


• You cannot improve your thinking or playing ability with alcohol.


• Tempting as some weak hands are in poker, it's like potato chips; once you eat one, you

can't stop, and once you start playing 'junk' hands in poker, you can't stop playing them!

• Learn to bet what you can afford to lose.


• A winning player is always informed and vigil.


• Mistakes are the part of the price one pays for learning.


• Hoping to win without a plan is just a wish.


• Poker is about strategy, and strategy is what makes the game interesting and exciting.


• To be a winner you have to believe in yourself.


• The biggest mistake poker players make is playing too many hands.


• Try not to over bet your hand.


• Never call just to see an opponent’s hand.


• Don’t let desire or eagerness force you to play a hand. It’s the cards that determine when to play.


• If at first you don’t end up a winner, before you try again, stop to figure out what you might have done wrong.


• Self-confidence is the first requisite to becoming a winner.


• Read about some of the world’s great poker players.


• Maintain your physical and mental health, it’s important for poker playing.


• Vow to win a set sum during the next twelve months.


• Don’t make excuses; just analyze your mistakes.


• Attend a seminar or workshop about your favorite poker game.


• The more players at the table, the greater the chance that one or more players have a pair. If you haven’t got a high pair or better or four cards to a flush or straight, it’s best to fold.


• Those who stop learning the game stop being good at the game.


• When going “all in,” you want a sound hand and not a hand to draw to.


• Having a losing session is inevitable, but suffering is optional.


• Remember, dealers get paid minimal wage; tips are important to them.


• You can be a very skilled player and not draw decent cards for some time. Expect this to

happen from time to time.

• There is a lot of poker magazines on the market, subscribe to one or two of them.


• In casinos and cardrooms, the skill level can be very high, whereby games in social clubs

will be closer to the amateur level.

• The better your openers are, the better your chance of improving your hand.


• Don’t be intimidated by other players, your chips are as valuable an anyone else’s.


• The key to your success is determined by the work you do before.

This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net.

Simple Poker is republished from CasinoCityTimes.com.