What Poker Strategies Should Beginners Use?
Jumping into any game as a beginner is always a bit daunting. Even if you’ve done your research, watched others play, and feel like you’ve got a good handle on a game, there will always be that lingering doubt that you’re way out of your depth.
This doubt can be even more amplified during a game of poker. Even for people who have been playing for years, every poker game is built around psychological interplay of strategy, risk, and deception, which makes it both intense and intimidating.
But the fact that every poker player feels these high stakes should be a source of comfort for you as a beginner. No matter what their skill level, everyone around the table is feeling the same thing, which means, in one way, you’re all on an even playing field.
The important thing is using that playing field to your advantage, and making sure that you at least understand the fundamentals. Even with basic poker strategies, you can navigate the complexities of the game and put up a good fight against your opponents. You just have to focus on the core principles and manage your bankroll wisely.
With this in mind, we wanted to talk about some of the most successful, basic poker strategies and how you can apply them in your first few days – helping you to relieve that doubt and sit at the table with confidence.
Know When to Fold Em’
The first thing you need to understand is that folding is not ‘losing’. On the contrary, one of the most important skills in poker is knowing when to fold your hand and cut your losses. By doing this, you avoid chasing a hand that probably won’t improve and can conserve your chips for better opportunities down the line.
Playing Tight
As a beginner, it’s always better to play a narrower range of strong hands, rather than playing too many ‘weaker hands’. Stick to high-value goals like high pairs, aces, kings, and queens. These hands are statistically more likely to win against a wider range of opponents, so this will help you to build a solid foundation and reduce the risk of losing your chips.
Understand Your Position
It’s also important to be aware of your position at the table. Players in late positions – in other words, players who are close to the dealer – have the advantage of seeing how other players act before making their decisions. Use this table position wisely and you can play a wider range of hands when you’re in late position, having had the opportunity to better gauge your opponents’ strengths.
Look at Your Opponents
If you’re playing live poker, it’s also important to understand the art of observing your opponents and take note of how they’re playing. Are they passive or aggressive? Do they bluff frequently, or keep their deceit to a minimum? If you understand their tendencies, you can work to call their hand, and raise or fold whenever necessary. As a beginner, it can be easy to focus entirely on your own hand, but it’s crucial you keep your head above the parapet and observe what your opponents are doing.
Set Your Budget
Lastly, the best strategy you can have as a beginner is setting a budget and sticking to it. Think about how much money you’re willing to spend, and make sure you stick to this budget regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. Good bankroll management helps you to avoid losing out and similarly ensures you can continue playing in the long run – which is particularly important, as you will need as many poker games as possible to build your skills.
