Online Poker is now one of the most popular pastimes in the world, even in light of
the US ban that recently came into effect. Even in light of this, there are a ton of pitfalls when
it comes to the online game. If you are new to poker and particularly online poker, read on and
hopefully you can avoid some of the traps that most players fall into.
Top Ten Tips
1) Abandon Bad Flops
The worst thing you can do is chase cards in the hope of making a big hand,
especially when the flop does not present much hope of doing so. It can be very expensive hoping to
make your hand on the turn and river. This is not to say that you never chase cards. At times you
must but do so when there is good reason to do so and you have enough outs to justify the call. It
makes more sense to commit chips to the pot when you hit something on the flop. Abandon poor flops
and wait for the opportunity, it will come.
2) Betting on Inside Straight Draws
It would be wise not to call big raises or bet into pots with inside straight draws.
The only time you should consider playing these hands is when it is cheap (or free) to see the next
card or the pot is big and so you are getting good value for money. More times than not you will
miss so commiting chips each time will simply eat into your stack. bet them wisely.
3) Betting on Pocker Pairs
Playing pocket pairs can be a tricky game as pre flop they look like gold dust,
especially big pairs. It is advisable to raise it up with big pairs, especially Jacks through to
Kings. The reason for doing so is that most players will play a half descent ace and any ace on the
flop and your gold dust pocket Kings and next to worthless and you stand to potentially lose money.
It is not easy to lay down a big pair and for this reason you should play agressively. Putting in a
big raise will scare off anyone under A-10 and possibly higher. Yes you risk the chance of not
getting as much action but pocket pairs are only pairs, even AA and are easily beated. Good advice
would be to play small pocket pairs if a reasonable price. if you hit on the flop, you stand a good
chance to make money. If you miss on the flop and there are overcards, fold to a bet.
4) Playing Flush or Straight Draws
Don't overplay these hands. They look better than they are. It is a common mistake
to commit large amounts of your stack trying to make these hands. Personally it makes better sense
to me to play them as cheaply as possible, hit your hand and then raise it up. The key with these
hands it to play them cheap. Don't chase cards when up against a big raise or all in.
5) Playing Flush and Straight Draws
Here you have some real potential. On the flop you the favorite to make your hand
with in the region of 14+ outs which is very good. Bet into the pot and try to scare players off
their hand. If you miss on the turn, play carefully on the river as you will have lost your
advantage.
6) Scare Cards
It is key to knowing firstly what scare cards are and secondly why you must kno how
to identify them. A scare card is a card that could make someone a hand. You know yourself when you
look at the flop and then the turn comes that there is now the possibility of a straight or flush.
These are scare cards. You can use these cards in your betting pattern, either by trying to
represent that you have made a better hand than you have or trying to conceal the fact that the
scare card has made you your hand.
7) Don't take your Whole Stack to the tables
When playing poker online, play with care. Don't take your entire stack to the
table as you could come up against a bad beat and (especially in no-limit) lose the lot. As a rule,
don't take more than 10% of your stack to the table or buy into a poker tournament where the entry
fee is higher than 10% of your stack. You will come up against bad beats and poor spells where
everything seems to go against you. have the bankroll to manage these time and come through them.
Online Poker
