Common Mistakes Poker Players Make and How To Avoid Them

Poker is increasingly becoming more popular worldwide due to the introduction of events such as poker tournaments, where players face off against renowned players in the hope of winning a cash prize. An additional factor contributing to the game’s increasing popularity is the introduction of online poker.

Poker is generally recognized as a very tough and unpredictable game because of the number of variables at play in any given hand. As a result of this complexity, it’s relatively easy to make several mistakes when playing. 

Here’s a rundown of some of the most common mistakes players make and poker tips on how to avoid them. Try to identify which mistakes you’re guilty of and the best ways to handle them. Who knows? You could just be saving yourself a lot of money! 

Lack of Practice

You read right, practice. Like most activities, practicing poker will improve your general performance, leading to bigger wins and less significant losses. After a loss, seasoned players will take a step back to reassess their strategy and, if necessary, restrategize.

The introduction of online poker has made it easy for players to practice in private. Additionally, more software is constantly being released to help you figure out optimal strategies and the best ways to implement them during a game. 

Failing To Keep Your Emotions in Check

Maintaining a level head is crucial when you’re playing poker — precisely because it’s a mental game. Even if you put in all the requisite effort, if you cannot sustain a straight face and keep your emotions in check, it’s all for naught. 

In poker, your mental game includes being able to control your emotions, realizing when you’re tilting, and playing in the zone. Tilting is among the most common issues people face when playing poker (and is an exceeding obvious tell.)

After losing one or two big hands, most people understandably feel uncomfortable and on edge. As a result, they lose grip on their emotions. They usually want to win their money right back, which often leads to even more significant losses and the introduction of new leaks into their game.

This tip is primarily for people who play live poker because opponents can see their facial expressions and mannerisms and exploit the tells that come with them. 

Limping

Limping in poker allows players to enter the pot by calling instead of raising. An example in Texas Hold ’em is when a player calls the big blind instead of raising before the flop. Like most poker tips, there are times when this could be a good move (such as when you have a strong hand,) but limping should be avoided whenever possible.

Limping is considered a weak move and does not allow you to take control of the pots or glean much information about your opponents’ hands. In short, try to avoid limping as much as you can.

Chasing Losses

Increasing your stakes to recover from a loss is probably one of the most common mistakes both new and veteran poker players make. Poker is not a predictable game, which is why moves like this could lead to major losses.

After a big loss, the best move is to ask yourself if you’re in the appropriate mental state to continue playing. If the answer is no, which it usually is, pack up, turn tail, and live to play another day.

If you feel even slightly tempted to increase your stakes and chase your losses, immediately leave the table or stop the game if you’re playing poker online. While it may not seem like the best choice at the time, you’ll be grateful once you can think clearly again. 

Playing Long Sessions Without Breaks

While poker is not a physically demanding game, it’s mentally taxing, which is why most players get tired in the middle of games. To avoid game fatigue, it’s essential to take a few minutes of every hour to clear your head and freshen up. 

You can spend these few minutes doing anything else, from moving your body to entertaining yourself with non-poker-related content or even having a short conversation about anything except poker. This could work wonders for you, allowing you to return to the game with a refreshed mind and renewed passion.

Not Observing Your Opponents

Ignoring your opponents is perhaps one of the biggest tells of an inexperienced punter, especially when you’re not playing online poker. Other players are your most valuable sources of information, so observing them and their actions could help you win big (or, at least, lose little.) 

Players are often inexperienced in hiding their tells, which can be picked up by any observant opponent and allow them to identify bluffs they previously wouldn’t have been able to. 

Humans are complex and react differently to situations. As a result, people’s tells could mean different things. Having a solid read-on tells is important because if you don’t have one, you may as well be guessing. 

Playing With a Range That Is Either Too Tight or Too Wide 

The existence of blinds and antes generally makes it difficult for players to have too tight a strategy. The bets force players to put in money regardless of their cards, meaning that they can be wrung out if they don’t win enough pots.

A tight strategy is advisable in earlier positions because there are several players left to act. Playing loose is recommended the closer you get to the button. This affords you an opportunity to win the blinds and antes preflop. 

On the other hand, a too-wide strategy will make you susceptible to bets from players instead of the blinds and antes. It could also lead to over-bluffing on your end if you’re unaware of how your range interacts with a board. Opponents can call you down more often to adjust and win the game with the best hand. 

Don’t Be a Victim: Play It Safe at BetMGM

There is no shortage of mistakes in poker. While some tips could work in certain situations, a different outcome is always possible in others. 

The ultimate poker tip, however, is to learn from past mistakes and use this knowledge to improve your game. If you’re new to poker, read up about common mistakes that new players make or mistakes that poker players make in general. 

For punters who prefer to play poker online, BetMGM provides one of the best and safest options for gamers. Register here and access your favorite poker games without leaving the comfort of your home.