There’s one thing you don’t want to be in poker. And that’s a fish. Want to avoid being a fish at the table yet again? We’ve got some tips for you.
Being labeled as a fish means you’re inexperienced and easily preyed upon by more skilled opponents. Does that sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not doomed to be a fish forever. Take our advice and you’ll be swimming with the sharks in no time.
Get educated
We can’t over-emphasize the importance of learning more about the game. Read books, watch tutorials, listen to podcasts and immersive yourself in poker strategy. After all, knowledge is power. And that’s the best place to start if you want to avoid being a fish.
Bankroll management
Yes, we’re always banging on about bankroll management. But it’s so important. Some people tend to think gambling budgets are boring. But actually, they’re keeping you afloat. So protect your chips like a valuable school of fish. Set a budget for your poker adventures and stick to it. Avoid going all-in on every hand and play within your means. Patience is key and managing your bankroll keeps you in the game for the long haul.
Play tight
When you’re new to the game, it’s tempting to go on a reckless feeding frenzy. But hold tight. Or rather, play tight. Focus on strong starting hands and resist the urge to play every hand. Wait for premium cards and you’ll have the best chance of winning. Avoid being a fish by thinking about quality over quantity.
Position is power
Okay, we know we just said to play tight. But not under all circumstances. Everyone who’s graduated to sharkdom from a school of fish knows that you can use position to your advantage while you play. If you’re in a late position, you can play more aggressively because you have valuable information. When you’re there, don’t let the other players push you around.
Observe and adapt
The one major fishy behavior we spot on the felt is when new players play with one strategy and one strategy only. More experienced players tend to adjust their strategies according to what the other players are doing. Are your opponents tight or loose? Aggressive or passive? Adjust your strategy accordingly to exploit their weaknesses and minimize your losses.
Stay cool
We don’t mean dressing up like a cool ass poker player. No, we mean keeping control of your emotions. In other words, avoiding the tilt. Emotions can easily cloud your decisions. So stay calm and focused. That way you can make sure you’re making decisions based on strategy, and nothing else.
Bluff with caution
Bluffing is a tricky skill. And it’s not something you should do all too often. Avoid being a fish by avoid bluffing on the regular. Instead, bluff when the circumstances are right. Because if you overuse bluffs, you’ll be exposed as an easy target.
An ode to the fold
Some fish think folding is weak. But it’s not. Sometimes folding is the smartest thing to do at the table. Don’t hold on to a hand you know isn’t going to win just because you’re being stubborn. Fold when the odds are against you. This is such an important skill to master and can be so tricky for some people to do.
Avoid being a fish online
Now that you have all our top tips on how to avoid being a fish, why not swim with the sharks online? One of our favorite online poker rooms is always bet365. And in case you want to sign up, you can use this awesome bet365 bonus code.
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