Essential Poker tips for beginners

Poker is one the world´s most iconic card games! A mix of psychology, strategy, patience and a touch of luck. Whether you've seen it in films, watched the World series of Poker, or just played casually with friends, the appeal is undeniable. But as fun as it is, poker can also be intimidating and overwhelming when you´re just getting started.

If you´re new to the game of poker and want to get off to a good start, then you´re in the right place! This guide isn´t about overwhelming you with rules and strategies, instead it focuses on the principles that will make your journey a simpler one. With these practical tips we hope you´ll be building a solid foundation and also to avoid common traps many beginners may fall into.

Master the basics

It doesn't really matter if you´re getting into sports betting, poker, or something else. To avoid traps and build a solid foundation, you have to make sure you understand the fundamentals. These fundamentals are more than just knowing that a flush beats a straight.

Before playing your first hand at poker there are some basics you will have to master. One of these things is to learn what starting hands are generally strong or weak. Another one is what your position at the table means for your strategy.

There are tons of tutorials and beginner guides on the internet where you can spend some time to get some basic and essential poker tips for free. Spelcash is one of these sites which for example review poker sites online. Knowing the rules inside of will not only make it easier, but it will also make it a lot more enjoyable.

Play fewer hands, and play them aggressively

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is playing too many hands. A lot of amateurs will have the mindset of “any two cards can win” which is technically true, but most of the time a weak hand will lose you money in the long run. As a beginner you will have more success if you focus on strong starting hands like pairs and high suited connectors.

The best players with tons of experience are able to play more hands than a beginner, and get away with it. For a beginner with low experience it will often be a good call to fold with a hand that isn't in your favour.

When you do play a hand, bet or raise with confidence. Don´t just call your opponents, instead put pressure on them. This tight and aggressive approach will protect your chips and help you build good habits.

Don't bluff just because you´ve seen the pros do it

If you have seen some plays of poker on films or Youtube, you have probably seen some bluffs. And yes, bluffing is part of poker, but be careful. Beginners bluff in general way too much and it almost never works, especially at low-stakes tables. Most new players call way too often, and experienced players can spot a bluff from a mile away.

Instead of bluffing as a beginner, focus on making smart bets when you have a strong hand. Use bluffing from time to time more as decoy in the beginning, to understand the situation and your opponents.

Bluffing should be a tool, even for a beginner, but it shall not be a strategy. Bluffing works best when your story makes sense. For a beginner it’s hard to tell when the story is actually making sense.

Keep your emotions in check!

There is one thing that is just as important as knowing all the strategies, and that is to keep your emotions in check. To be a successful poker player you´ll have to be strong mentally at all times. It is anything but simple to win money from poker consistently, but it is quite easy to lose quickly if your emotions aren’t in check.

Before getting into poker it's important to set clear limits. Only play with money you´re willing to lose, take breaks when your emotions aren’t in check, and stick to small stakes until you feel that you're consistently playing well.

To keep your emotions in check, and by having good bankroll management, poker will be fun and sustainable even when luck isn’t on your side. By falling in the trap of “tilt” you will quite easily and quickly lose your bankroll which will not only affect your money but also your love for the game.

Final thoughts

Poker isn’t about winning every possible hand. Poker is about making good decisions consistently. Even the world best players will lose hands, sessions, and sometimes even go days or weeks before profit. What sets them apart is their ability to stay focused, disciplined and to always keep their emotions in check.

As a beginner, your goal shouldn't be to win big right away. Instead you should aim to play smart hands, think every decision through, reflect on your mistakes, and manage your bankroll.

Poker is a special game, and one of few that rewards patience, observation, and self control. Poker can on a good day be extremely amusing, but it can also be extremely frustrating. Enjoy the process and remember that every hand you play is another step forward in the long game.