When trying to do something for the first time – skateboarding or carpentry or well, anything really – it’s best to learn as much as you can in order to properly understand it. This goes double for the game of poker.
I really enjoy the game, but there was a time when, well, I didn’t really have a clue what I was doing. Boy, did I mess up. And, with some embarrassment, you can find out the 5 stupidest things I’ve ever done at the poker table. I hope these mistakes are something you can avoid.
Dumbest Move #1 – I once played at a five card stud table with only $50 in my pocket. This wouldn’t have been a problem except for the fact that I’d sat down at a table with $10/$20 limits. I couldn’t even make my first bet. I was so new I didn’t know that different tables had different limits.
I anted-up and even had a good hand. Three kings with an ace kicker. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the money to play the way I should have. As it turned out, I lost anyway, but if I had had the money, I could have played the hand well. So, check the table limits before you sit down to play!
Dumbest Move #2 – Do you know what the ‘muck’ option is at online poker sites. Yes? Well, I didn’t and spent ages showing everyone else my losing hands. Consequently, they knew when I bluffed and when I was playing straight. Unsurprisingly, I got killed on every hand from then on. Lesson? Use the muck option and don’t show the other players your hand.
Letting your opponents know what type of player you are is the dumbest move you can make in poker! The game of poker is a skill game, and you must use strategy and by giving away how you play your cards, you’re just handing over your money.
Dumbest Move #3 – I used to play every hand. This is something many new poker players do. You should, of course, fold and wait for a good, strong hand to come along. That way you’ll have a better chance to win.
Put simply – I know that poker is a fun, exciting game and you want to be involved in the action. But, believe me, by playing every hand – regardless of whether it’s a good one – it will be over a lot, lot sooner. Try not to get swept up by the atmosphere and play smart. You could even end up winning.
Dumbest Move #4 – Staying in the game, just because you can. You’d be surprised at just how many poker players stay in a hand because they have already put money in the pot. Needless to say, this is a bad idea. I did it when I first started playing under the belief that there’s always a chance to win. The thing is – there isn’t. Some hands you’ve got to pull out of.
An example : if you have, say, a pair of fours and nothing else is coming up, then it might be time to fold your hand and cut your losses. Especially if someone else keeps raising. If it looks like you are not going to win, get out as soon as possible. Save your bankroll for the next hand, because that is one you might be able to win.
Dumbest Move #5 – Learn to play the game before you play for real money. I once played in a Omaha Hi-Lo tournament having never played the game before. I did, of course, read the rules and thought that I’d be able to pick it up as went along. Mistake!
So off I went, Mr. know it all, and sat at the table and started playing the game. Well about a half hour into the game I kept losing when I thought I should of won, and I won when I thought I should have lost. I had no idea what was going on and lucky for me I was having enough luck that day to get me to intermission when I took the time to go and reread the rules of the game.
And that’s when I saw how you really play Hi/Low. OMG, half the time I was folding when I had 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 which is a great Lo hand! I probably could have won so much money that day if I had only understood the game, never again will I act like I know it all and play a game for cash that I have never played before without doing the research!
So, those were my five dumbest mistakes. I’m sure you’ll agree that they were pretty dumb so hopefully if you are new to playing poker, you won’t make the same errors. Make sure you know the game, the rules and the table limits and you won’t go too far wrong.
Learn which websites I recommend for new poker players by reading my poker room reviews or check out some fundamental blackjack tips to help you win..
Tags: betting, Casino, Gambling, games, gaming, Poker, wager