4 Tips To Elevate Your Online Poker Skills

Poker has been played for hundreds of years. The classic card game started as an in-person pastime but has since morphed and changed. Now, players can enjoy poker either in-person at traditional card rooms, casinos, or even from home or they can play poker online. Thanks to advancements in technology, online poker sites have become increasingly popular, with many offering lucrative bonuses, promotions, and a wide range of poker variants. Techopedia author Sam Bernard explains that the top-rated online poker sites allow players to wager for real money and engage in different tournaments across a range of stakes, making them a popular option for many. 

As online poker becomes increasingly popular, it’s important for players to fine-tune their online poker skills.

Before getting started or sitting down at a poker table, it’s important that players first understand the basics of poker. This may seem like a no-brainer, but learning about poker and understanding the game can set players up for success in the long run. Even the most successful poker players started at the beginning at some point, so each new poker player should begin with the basics, too. To get started, consider: 

• Hand Rankings: When learning about poker, it’s important to get to know the different hand rankings. Get familiar with the hierarchy of poker hands, like a royal flush. By knowing the different hands and understanding which hand is strongest, players will be more confident during games. 

• Position Awareness: An important part of learning the fundamentals of poker is learning about the positions at the poker table. It’s worth noting that players who sit near the dealer button usually have an advantage because they get to react to how other players bet. Players can use this to their advantage by playing aggressively when in a strong position at the table and being more cautious when in a weak position at the table.

• Pot Odds and Expected Value (EV): Players should take the time to understand pot odds. Understanding these odds can help players decide if they want to continue with a hand based on the possible payout. It’s also important to understand the Expected Value (EV) as this calculation will help players weigh up long-term profitability during the game.

It can be hard to develop patience and discipline, but these are skills that are often seen in highly skilled and successful poker players. Poker players who are looking for ways to enhance their game should work on becoming more patient at the poker table. This can be tricky, especially when playing online because it can be tempting to play every hand. However, online poker players should learn when it’s time to fold versus when it’s time to bet. 

• Avoid Playing Too Many Hands: A common mistake of beginners is to play too many hands. Instead, try to be selective and patient. Focus on quality over quantity and you’ll soon see the rewards. 

• Control Your Emotion: While it’s important to know the rules and hand rankings when playing poker, keeping your emotions in check is equally as important. Some players refer to letting “tilt” (frustration) affect their decisions during games. To become successful when playing poker, players need to be able to rise above frustration and stay calm no matter what.

• Wait For The Right Moment: Online poker rewards patience. Remember, players don’t have to win every single hand. As an online poker player your goal should not be to play every hand but instead to make the most out of opportunities as they arise. Wait for strong hands, and play those.

Poker is best known for bluffing and deception, however, these are skills that must be learned and fine-tuned by players. 

• Semi-Bluffing: A semi-bluff is when a player bets or raises with a hand that is not yet strong enough but does have the potential to improve. For example, a player may semi-bluff with a hand like a flush or a straight draw.

• Reading Opponents: Part of bluffing and deception is learning how to read your opponents, even when playing online. This can be tricky because players cannot observe other players in person. Instead, players have to gather information by paying attention to betting patterns, timing, and even the types of hands opponents showdown.

• Balanced Play: Part of bluffing and deception is being unpredictable. Don’t let your opponents learn your habits or track your moves. Instead, keep your opponents on their toes by mixing up your playstyle throughout each game.

Once players know the fundamentals of poker and are comfortable with the game, it’s time to learn how to understand opponent types. When playing online, it can be tricky to determine, however, there are clues that give each type of player away.

• Tight-Aggressive (TAG): TAG players are extremely selective about the hands they play. However, they’re overly aggressive once they enter a pot. Watch out for TAG players as they can be strong opponents who don’t give away their chips easily.

• Loose-Aggressive (LAG): LAG players can be unpredictable. These players are known for playing a wide variety of hands and they can be hard to play against because they put a lot of pressure on opponents. 

• Tight-Passive: These players are cautious. They rarely enter pots unless they have a solid and strong hand.

Online poker is a fun and rewarding pastime and players can learn countless tips to enhance their game. From learning and understanding the basics to mastering bluffing and deception and even learning to read opponents playing styles, poker players can upskill and enhance their online game in countless ways.