Erase common errors to improve your poker game

IT IS often said Texas Hold'em can take five minutes to learn and a lifetime to master. In a bid to speed up the learning process, Racing Post Poker this week highlights five of the commonest mistakes made by players new to the game.

Playing too many hands
Be patient. Enthusiasm to get involved in every pot can get the
better of players, especially after a bit of early success. Playing more does not equateto winning more.

In fact, it usually means the opposite. Constantly playing weaker hands than your opposition will mean you will lose in the long run.

There is much talk in poker about the benefits of aggressive play. But it is vital to be selective about the hands you contest. When you have a good hand then you should bet positively.

However, it's important to wait for playable hands and, as a rule, you should be playing more hands from late position.

Playing between ten and 20 per cent of the hands you are dealt is usually around the right balance.

Over-valuing suited hands
This is where we put playing cards just because they are suited into perspective.

Your chances of hitting a flush in Texas hold'em are 508-1. The odds of hitting a straight are 254-1.
Even if you are holding four suited cards after the flop the chances of hitting the fifth on the turn or river is only 35%.

Flush draws do come off. However, it's more prudent to play for them when you have other potential outs.

Playing suited connectors is understandable, but playing Jack/4 simply because they are suited is bad
play.

Playing above your bankroll
Bankroll management is one of the most important skills in poker. Every playercan experience a bad run and you may find you lose despite playing well. Ups and downs are all part of poker and avoiding variance is key.

The aim of poker is to maximise your profit. But it is just as important to keep an eye on not losing it all. Play within your bankroll at all times to avoid busting out too early.

Playing an ace with any kicker
In poker an ace/5 or ace/6 is not such a great starting hand. The problem is that if the ace does not hit on the flop one is too often reduced to bluffing. Worse still, having committed to the pot, the temptation is to continue betting to see if one might have more luck on the turn and river cards. As with any hand, you can get lucky - but if you continue to play this way, you will lose in the long run.

Don't get emotionally involved
Just because you won your first big pot with a Jack of hearts and a 6 of clubs, it does not mean that this is always a good hand to play. You will lose in the long run. Try to remain objective and ask yourself what outcome you are trying to achieve with every play.

A lucky newbie might be able to win a poker tournament but, over time, skill will prevail.

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