Common Mistakes in Playing Poker

Making mistakes is a part of human nature. In a poker game, making too many mistakes is a surefire way to defeat. Although committing errors is unavoidable in playing poker no matter how good you are, minimizing your playing mistakes will dramatically increase your chances of winning.

To succeed as a poker player, you must be aware of the common mistakes that many poker players commit and how you can avoid such mistakes. The following mistakes in playing poker must be avoided at all costs if you want to win in poker.

Playing Too Many Hands

Many poker players crave fast-paced action and excitement, so they make the mistake of playing too loose with starting hands. If you really want to win in poker, you should stick only with premium hands, even if doing so will make your game seem boring and lifeless.

Don't limp in with poor hands thinking that you'll be into something big. The blinds will just add up and you will soon find yourself in a precarious situation. So play only the good hands and fold the poor ones.

Not Knowing the Odds

You don't have to be a math wizard to be a winning poker player. But some important aspects of successful poker play rely on basic mathematical skills such as calculating the pot odds and hand percentages. You can still win by guessing and trying to read your opponents' hands, but consistent wins against top-level competition depend to some extent on your knowledge of poker odds.

Not Knowing Table Positions

Table position plays a key role in poker. Late positions have better chances of winning than early positions. Being in late position means that your opponents will have to act before you and this gives you precious time to decide properly on the right move to make based on their actions.

Some poker players emphasize the card values more than table positions, and this is a mistake. If you're the big blind, you will play your pocket aces differently than when you're on the button. The same goes for other hands and table positions.

Not Controlling Emotions

It's easy to get emotionally involved in a poker game, especially if a lot of money is at stake. Controlling your emotions allow you to play with a clear analytical mind. Getting angry or some other emotional outbursts is the fastest way to go tilt and lose money, so detach yourself from the outcome of the game if you want to be a winner.

Pretending to Know It All

There are some annoying poker players who think that they belong to the cream of the crop. If you have just won a tough game and you are starting to think that you can beat anyone, you will soon get a bitter dose of reality. You should accept the fact that there are better players than you and this should motivate you to continue learning and polishing your skills in the game.

Mistakes are part and parcel of a poker player's life. However, too many mistakes will not make you a winner in poker, so take your time to eradicate mistakes in your play and you will soon become a successful and profitable poker player.