Despite the universal popularity of baccarat and the accessibility of blackjack, casino poker remains the king of card games in any gambling house, online and offline alike. Something about it just screams sophistication, regardless of which variant you are playing. It is a gentlemen’s game where conduct and supreme self-control are as important as winning or losing. The image of the suave 007 playing a masterful game of poker is imprinted in the minds of generations. Nowadays you are more likely to play online poker USA at poker.bovada.lv or another top website, but you should still learn the same rules of play and conduct which traditionally make poker winners.
Experience
That one is a no-brainer, really. Just like with anything else, you need to go put in the work and the hours until you can strut your poker stuff confidently and make the most out of every game. Until you have several thousand hours under your belt, you will likely lose most of the time. A lot. So, stick to low-stakes or free games at first. Luckily, online poker websites are the best place to build up experience because you can go through hundreds of hands in an hour’s time, and you often get free games, too. There has never been a better time to take up poker. Seriously. Make use of that!
Endless motivation to learn
The greatest poker losers (which is the majority of poker players, mind you) all share the trait of impatience: they read one book on poker strategy, if that, and rushed into real games, following one or two strategies without really understanding them. Before you go into real money online poker, you have to educate yourself beyond the basics. You can start with learning about positions which are the foundation of your playing strategy. Not your draw – your position! I am sure I caught your interest. Now get down and do some schooling!
Find yourself an idol
With so many poker superstars out there, it is easy to identify one or more individuals who inspire you particularly. Study their style and aspire to match their success. Learning from a favourite player, understanding his thinking, and emulating some of his moves is the most natural way to develop your own style. The example of Doyle Brunson’s suited connectors tip is a good one to get you thinking. Find your own heroes and study their recipes for success, and see you at one of the Edmonton poker tournaments soon!
Keep your cool
This is an absolute must, whether you play live or on online poker sites. When you are facing your opponents, either at the poker table or through a webcam, you need your poker face on (yes, that’s why they call it that!) and your emotions off. You will find your own way of doing that – and make sure you channel the suppressed emotions out as soon as the game is done since the BBC reports hiding too much can be detrimental to your mental health. However, I doubt a poker tournament’s worth of emotional concealment could seriously hurt you. Practice in front of a mirror while you are talking on the phone or reading the news. Try to keep a straight face regardless of how funny, sad, shocking, or boring the conversations or the news items are.
Pick your battles
If you look at the people sitting around the WSOP final table on Facebook or on TV, you will find players who at one time all played against opponents stronger than themselves. This is the only way to push yourself forward. Facing challenging opponents makes you dig deeper into your own game, reinvent your usual moves, or come up with new tactics on the go. This is where you should head once you have gathered sufficient knowledge and experience. Nevertheless, do not overdo it, either: playing opponents much stronger than yourself is a one-way ticket to Brokesville. Explore a wide online landscape such as the Bodog poker network and play the field smartly, picking contenders whose skill level you can judge well. Challenge yourself and grow!
