13 Dec 2024 Beginner This material is for beginner players A-game bankroll bluff cold call discipline limp position tilt Is it common for you to lose money when playing poker? When when big downturns occur, do you immediately attribute them to poor luck? Are you consistently dominated by your buddies even when they enthusiastically invite you to their games? These are 13 signs that you may not be as good at poker as you believe. #1: Playing Lot of Hands Playing far too many hands is one of the most frequent errors made by inexperienced or bad poker players. On the flop, turn, and river, difficult situations are frequently caused by weak aces, low pairs, inappropriate connectors, and suited garbage cards. When you're dominated by these cards, you lose big pots, fold to postflop bets, or bleed chips. Successful poker requires discipline. Patience allows you to wait for the right opportunities without acting impulsively. If you find waiting for strong hands tedious, poker might not be the game for you. While it may feel boring to fold repeatedly, your bankroll will appreciate it in the long run. With preflop charts readily available today, learning opening ranges and 3-bet strategies can give you a significant edge over most players. #2: Chasing Draws You might be a "fish" if you're constantly chasing straights, flushes, second pairs, or that miracle ace. While chasing draws isn’t always a bad idea if the pot odds are right, relentlessly pursuing them will cost you money over time. Moreover, experienced players will punish you with larger bets. Learn the basics of poker math, including pot and implied odds, to avoid this pitfall. A tighter, more calculated approach can save you money and frustration. #3: Being a Calling Station Calling when it’s evident you’re beaten is one of the fastest ways to drain your bankroll. Whether the bets are small or substantial, folding when you’re clearly outmatched is crucial. Repeatedly making calls in losing situations adds up, leaving you with little to show for your efforts. Stop trying to be a hero - tighten up and trust your reads. #4: Limping and Cold Calling Cold calling (calling a raise without re-raising), and limping (just calling the huge blind instead of raising) are rarely successful strategies. These tactics frequently throw you in awkward circumstances since they are unable to manage the pot, define your opponents' ranges, or thin the field. Sometimes though, limping and cold calling can be a viable option. While there are exceptions where limping and cold calling are viable, they are just that - exceptions. Try a "raise or fold" approach for a few sessions and monitor your results. Chances are, you’ll see significant improvement over time. #5: Posting a Blind Out of Position Players eager to jump into action often post blinds prematurely, a hallmark of impatience. Paying blinds unnecessarily is akin to giving away free money. Poker is a long-term game, and each session is a continuation of the last. Treating it as such can help you avoid these unnecessary losses. #6: Buying in with an Odd Stack Size Buying in with anything other than 100 big blinds often signals inexperience. A full buy-in allows for the complete strategic depth of no-limit poker, enabling bluffs, squeezes, and traps. Players with odd stack sizes, especially amounts like $7.10 at a $10 game, often lack proper bankroll management and understanding of poker fundamentals. #7: Playing Recklessly or Overly Cautious Some players treat poker like a lottery, recklessly going all-in with poor hands, while others play overly cautious, folding anything but the nuts. Both approaches are flawed. Recklessness leads to quick losses, while excessive caution makes you predictable and easy to exploit. Balance and bravery are essential for long-term success. Stop trying to treat poker like a lottery and instead like a skill. Buckle down: focus on your weaknesses and avoid making mistakes. #8: Playing Outside of Your Bankroll Stick to stakes you can afford. Playing higher stakes for prestige or adrenaline is a recipe for disaster. Even with an edge, risking a significant portion of your bankroll is unwise. Focus on games where you have a clear advantage without risking financial ruin. #9: Over-Bluffing We have all seen Tom Dwan pull off some crazy bluffs in the past and watching him makes you want to do the same. While pulling off a massive bluff can be exhilarating, excessive bluffing is a common mistake among new players. Recklessly throwing chips into pots without a coherent plan often leads to costly call-downs. Choose your spots carefully and ensure your bluffs tell a believable story. #10: Tilting Tilt (losing emotional control after a bad beat or series of losses) can derail your game entirely. Poker requires clear thinking and rational decision-making. If you find yourself tilting, take a break to regain composure. Letting your emotions dictate your play is a surefire way to lose. #11: Poor Postflop Play Weak postflop betting, like making min-bets, is another sign of a poor player. These bets fail to apply pressure or price out opponents, allowing them to draw cheaply. Strong players exploit this by calling with a wide range and outplaying you on later streets. Learn to size your bets effectively to maximize pressure and value. #12: Letting Ego Control Your Game Pride has no place at the poker table. Refusing to accept losses or admitting mistakes leads to impulsive, suboptimal decisions. Even the best players lose sometimes. Embrace humility, learn from your errors, and focus on continuous improvement. #13: Failing to See the Bigger Picture Poker is a long-term game of skill, strategy, and variance. Focusing too much on individual sessions rather than overall growth can hinder your progress. Use each game as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. Identify weaker players and capitalize on their mistakes consistently to build your bankroll. Bad poker players cannot see beyond the moment. Ultimately, poker is a game where money is earned by exploiting your opponents’ errors. Recognizing and addressing these common mistakes can help you turn the tide and start winning more consistently.
