Most folks lose at online poker. Are you one of them? Stop throwing chips away! Below are 10 things I wish I had known earlier.
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Here’s How to Get Ahead in Poler in 10 Steps
1. Play Fewer Hands, But Play Them Like You Mean It
You don’t have to play every hand. Most good players fold a lot! But when they do play, they go hard. Ever seen a player raising preflop and c-betting every time? That’s because aggression wins in poker. If you’re in, be in—none of that limp-and-hope stuff.
Try this: Pick only strong starting hands. Big pairs, high suited connectors, and strong aces. Fold the junk. When you do play, come in strong. Raise, bet, and put pressure on weaker players.
2. Your Position at the Table Changes Everything
The position is about who acts after you. Being last to act means you get to see what everyone else does before making your move. Huge advantage.
Example? Say you have an Ace-10 offsuit. In an early position, it’s risky—someone after you might raise. But in a late position, if everyone checks? Now you can take control. So, play more hands when you’re in a late position. Tighten up when you’re early.
3. Bluff Less, Steal More
People love bluffing. But most bad players don’t fold enough online. Bluffing random hands won’t work. Instead, focus on stealing pots when it makes sense.
What works? Continuation betting (c-betting). Did you raise a preflop? Then keep up the story with a bet on the flop. Many players fold if they don’t hit. Just don’t overdo it—smart players will catch on!
4. Bet Sizing: Stop Making It Obvious
Too many players bet in predictable ways. They go big with strong hands and small with weak ones. That’s like playing with your cards face-up.
Here’s a fix: Keep your bet sizes consistent. Betting half the pot on a bluff? Bet half the pot when you actually have it. Make it hard for opponents to read you.
5. Know Who You’re Up Against
Some players call everything. Some fold too much. Others bet like maniacs! You need to adjust to them.
- Playing against a calling station? Don’t bluff. Just bet strong hands and get paid.
- Playing against a tight player? Steal their blinds. They’ll fold too often.
- Got an aggressive player? Trap them. Let them bet into you when you’re strong.
6. Don’t Let Emotion Kill Your Game
Poker tilts people. You take a bad beat. Get frustrated. And suddenly you’re shoving all in with garbage! That’s how you go broke.
Best fix? Take your time. Ask yourself: “Would I make this move if I wasn’t mad?” If the answer is no, fold and reset.
7. Stop Clicking Call So Much
The call button is the enemy of new players. People love calling because it’s safe. They don’t have to commit to a raise or fold. But being safe isn’t enough—you’ve got to play strong.
Next time you want to call, think whether it would be better to raise or fold. If the answer is ‘maybe,’ just fold. Calls without a plan burn chips fast.
8. Multi-Tabling? Don’t Be a Robot
Playing multiple tables? That’s only great when you can think through your moves. Some players go full autopilot, making snap decisions and missing key details.
Solution? Drop a table or two if you feel rushed. Watch your opponents. Take notes. Focus. Quality over quantity wins in the long run.
When you need a break from intense poker sessions, try the sweet bonanza slot to refresh your mind. This change of pace can help prevent poker fatigue and mental burnout, allowing you to return to the tables with renewed focus and better decision-making capabilities—essential qualities for implementing the strategies discussed above.
9. Use Poker Tools, But Don’t Rely on Them
Poker software like HUDs (Heads-Up Displays) can be useful. They track opponent stats, showing how often they fold, raise, or call. But numbers aren’t everything.
Some players blindly follow HUD stats, ignoring the actual flow of the game. Use them as a guide, not a rulebook.
If someone has a high fold-to-c-bet %? Sure, c-bet them more. But if they just lost a big pot? Maybe they’re tilting and won’t fold now. Context matters.
10. Keep Leveling Up—Don’t Play the Same Way Forever
The best players never stop learning. Here’s what I do to stay updated:
- Watch poker streams—see how the pros think.
- Review your hands—look for mistakes.
- Try different styles—don’t be predictable.
Play Smart, Play Strong, Win More
The secret weapon in online poker? Outplaying people who don’t know what they’re doing! Follow the tips I’ve shared, and you’ll stop making the mistakes most players make. You don’t need to be a genius to win—you just need to play smarter than the guy across the table.
Now go crush it.