If you have been to a casino, it is highly likely that you have had a go at a poker card game. It is one of the most popular casino games and offers a big chance to win. The fact that most people are familiar with cards makes it easy to transition to casino poker. There is a five-card hand ranked from the lowest to the highest. The player with the best hand wins.
Of course, you have read or watched stories of small-time poker players making it big in poker tournaments. Before you start dreaming of winning big, it is important to learn the ropes.
Most of these big-time winners have been playing for some time. They already have a good understanding of the rules.
Incredible Motivation for Poker Newbies
If you want any motivation to learn poker, you only have to look at Chris Moneymaker. The accountant and amateur poker player in Tennessee went on to win the World Series of Poker in 2003.
It all started with an online game that had a $39 entrance fee. Moneymaker (yes that’s his real name) beat some of the most recognizable poker players including his hero Johnny Chan, Humberto Brenes, Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, and Phil Hellmuth. This was a win that revolutionized poker.
Well, Moneymaker didn’t just move from the office to the poker table. He had been playing and losing money for some time and in the process, learning a lot of tricks. As an accountant, Moneymaker could calculate probabilities and manage chips like a pro.
With his win, the “Moneymaker effect” has emerged with more amateur players trying their luck online. His story has become an inspiration to millions of would-be winners.
Is Poker a Game of Luck or Skill?
If you want to start playing profitable poker, you need to understand the game and create the best strategy. But there’s an age-old question that still lingers today. Is poker a game of luck or skill? Can you learn the tricks and become a poker legend?
The truth is that successful poker is a combination of skill and luck. You cannot walk into a casino and expect to start winning big. However, most professional players argue that while luck plays some part in winning, it is your skills that guarantee your staying power.
Knowing when to hold or fold is not based on the cards dealt only. Professional players closely observe other players and use their skill to make quick decisions.
For players who approach poker as a vocation, it takes a lot of studying, disciplined and structured playing and observing strict bankroll management. These are some of the fundamentals you find in any complete guide to playing poker. This makes poker more about skill than luck.
For a casual player who doesn’t worry about recommended percentages or bankroll management, there’s a feeling that poker is about luck. Such a player will lose some and win others and will go home feeling lucky or unlucky depending on the outcome.
Why You Need To Learn Poker Strategy
While the case of Chris Moneymaker and other inspirational wins have motivated millions of poker players, it is hard to replicate such success without any skill.
Players with clear instructions and strategy perform better in poker. When poker players start learning basic strategy, they outperform those without. Results of a Levitt and Miles study published on Chicago Tribune surveying participants in WSOP tournaments shows that skilled players outperform unskilled players. The skilled players understand the basic strategy and know the rules and leverage their skill to win.
If you want to excel at poker, you need to learn the rules, basic strategy and observe how other pro players do it.
4 Simple Tips to Improve Your Poker Game
Ready to start winning? Here are some simple tips to guide you:
- Fold When You’re Unsure: If you’re unsure whether to call or fold versus a bet or raise, it is always advisable to fold. It is not easy because your brain will egg you on, but you have to stand your ground.
- Avoid playing too many hands: Pros play fewer hands and play them aggressively. Playing a tight range of strong and playable hands disguises your actual hand.
- Bluff effectively: One of the fastest ways to lose money in poker is to bluff poorly. Always let your card dictate whether to bluff or not.
- Concentrate on other players: You should keep observing and attack with an aggressive bluffing strategy when your opponent shows weakness.
With this insight, you can up your poker game and start playing like a pro. Remember it is more skill than luck and keep learning to become better at it.