Seven Common Poker Mistakes That Cost Money.

The object of playing poker is to win money. A successful poker player is the one who manages to minimise the number of mistakes that cost him money. However we are all human and making mistakes from time to time is inevitable and in our nature. A small mistake, although being irritating, is not a big deal, however some mistakes can turn into a disaster and cost you the bankroll as well as series of small mistakes made time and time again will have similar sad consequences. So what are the most common glaring mistakes that poker players commit which can be devastating to their bankrolls?

1. Playing too many hands. This is the most basic mistake that so many players make. Have a look at your hands statistics in your poker software. If you see more than 30% of the flops in Texas Holdem it is far too many. Good tight aggressive players see less than 20%. Yes folding and waiting is boring, but is it fun to loose money? By being selective and playing only good starting hands will not only give you an edge over your opponents but will save you money over thousands hands you play.

2. Calling when you are behind. Let’s say you have a bottom pair and you are against a tight player who is known to act on good cards only. There is very little point calling and chasing that illusive set or a second pair that will probably never come. On the similar note drawing the second best hand is equally costly. There is very little point to try to draw a straight when there a possibility of the flush draw in front of you. For every time you win money with such draws you will loose twice the amount when you miss it. If you have not got the best hand or the best draw it is time to fold, no exceptions.

3. Getting distracted. How many players you see on the tables when you play in online poker rooms that seem to depend on Auto buttons or seem to take forever to act and trigger time out. Of course they could be playing on many tables but usually just not paying proper attention and chatting to their friends on Skype, eating the dinner, watching television in fact doing anything else but playing poker. Time between hands is better spent observing your opponents, taking notes and analysing their moves. There is so much information available to you that will make difference to the bottom line. Multi-tasking will cost you money.

4. Playing at the wrong stakes. Playing at too high stakes can kill your bankroll in a matter of minutes. There is very point to join $5-$10 game with $30. The golden rule of good poker money management is to play at the right stakes. To outlast a bad run of cards and not go broke it is a good idea to have a bankroll of 300 bet minimum if you are playing limit poker. The amount is even higher for No Limit tables. Although this may look far too high it is a statistically proven and recommended minimum level. Play at the stakes you are comfortable at and that suit your skill level. If you had a good run on low level tables you don’t have to jump and join the high rollers just because your new bankroll can match theirs. If your skills are not at that level you will lose your money very quickly.

5. Concentrating on the cards. Poker is a game of people not cards. Being observant and knowing your opponents is a fundamental key to success in poker. The cards establish the winner only in showdown situation and good poker player rarely make it into that stage as they either make their opponents to fold or fold themselves a lot earlier. Doyle Branson once said that he could win any game without looking at the cards, although this statement might have a bit of Texas bravado in it. Picking up tells from the opponents and reading their actions is much more important to your poker success.

6. Folding on the river. This is a common mistake that even some very players make. If you are playing with a good starting hand and made it all the way up to the river your hand should be fairly good by now, unless you busted a draw. If the pot is of a good size it is often a mistake to fold as it will cost you one bet to see the cards. Pot odds will tell you this. Let’s say the pot is $20 and the bet will cost you $2 the odds are 10:1, so if you happen to be wrong nine times you will send $18 but the win will bring you $20 showing $2 profit. If your opponent is known to bluff your pay out will be even bigger.

7. Not knowing the odds. There is a surprising number of players in online poker rooms who are not aware of fundamental basis of any poker game. Pot odds. Every bet you make has either positive or negative expectations. So you either have the odds to act or not. There are numerous pot odds calculators available and you don’t need a degree to make very simple calculations. Although knowledge of your opponents is very important a successful poker player can not overlook the importance of knowing the figures and making decisions based on probable profitability of their hand.

Make use of online poker promotions. All online poker rooms offer their players some very exciting promotions to keep their custom. So make sure you capitalise on those. You don’t need any money to enter Freeroll tournaments and you can win real cash to start up your bankroll. You want to treat yourself to a new gadget like an iPad or an iPod? You don’t need to cut down your bankroll to buy them. Play in an online poker room that offers those gifts and get the things you want for just playing poker. Want to test your skills and luck in a big live poker tournament? Do not go and buy yourself straight in. Online poker rooms always offer players a chance qualify online to live poker events either for free or a very small buy-in amount.

By: Unleashed Poker

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Unleashed Poker is an online poker room licensed and regulated in Curacao. Unleashed Poker offers all its players exciting and exclusive online poker promotions and a chance to qualify online to live poker events.