In poker, every single little thing counts. It is the small differences that differentiate a good player from the rest of the pack.
Below we discuss some of the mistakes players repeat most frequently when playing Texas Hold’em:
#1 Over-Bluffing:
Most Texas Hold’em players find the bluffing technique quite exciting.
In fact, triumphing over your opponent via a bluff is often considered sexier than a win owing to your great hand. But bluffing shouldn’t be applied too many times like some loose players do.
For instance, if what you have are a pair of 7s and the board has ace of spades, king of spades, 10 of Hearts, 5 of spades and 3 of diamonds, then this pot is quite diversified and there are 4 players in the pot, so it isn’t a good idea to bluff.
Bluffing is a strategic technique that should be sparingly applied. Use it only if the terms are right and when you have realized that the likelihood of you being called is lower than the number of options available in the pot.
#2 Putting Your Focus On the Wrong Place:
Rather than maintaining maximum attention on their cards, many players often focus on their opponents. One good example of this frequently-repeated mistake is when a player takes with them a pair of aces all the way down to the river, no matter the situation.
In case you have 2 aces, your flop is 10 of diamonds, 8 of diamonds and 7 of hearts, and the turn happens to be 6 of diamonds, and suddenly a passive player begins to place a bet or to raise, the probability is that your pair is already beaten and you need to give up and fold. Here, the number of hands that may have beaten you is huge.
In fact, practically you don’t have any more outs to leverage from.
#3 Using a Mediocre Hand to Bet On the River:
Whether you find yourself having a top pair or not, betting on the river isn’t usually the wisest thing to do in a game of poker. But if with your top pair you also have the best hand, the probability that anyone is going to call you is virtually zero.
However, if you don’t have the best hand, you will have to call a raise or you are going to lose your bet.
For instance, if you hold an ace and a Queen off suit, and the flop had been Queen of hearts, 10 of clubs and 6 of clubs, the turn had been 5 of hearts and the river is 8 of clubs, then it won’t be a smart move to place a bet.
#4 Too Much Slow-Playing:
Being able to conceal your strength from your opponents can be very satisfying.
However, it may not be as beneficial as being able to bet quite often. Slow-playing should only be applied in those moments when it remains as the only best move. For instance, if you have a pair of 3s, then the flop should be ace of clubs, King of spades and a 3. In this case, with 5 players in the pot, it is comparably high. Slow-playing should also be used very sparingly; it isn’t the smartest move.
#5 Checking the Bettor Another common mistake is checking the bettor and in the process granting them a free card if he wishes. Whenever you have a strong hand, you should take advantage to make a bet.
#6 Being Too Fearful of Getting Bluffed
Some poker players go on to place a bet even when they are fully aware that they don’t have the best hand just so that they can avowing being bluffed by the opponent. Some players hate getting bluffed so much that they consider it an insult if an opponent bluffs them. Apply this strategy against such players: play aggressively against them both on the turn and the river, more so if they have been recently bluffed by somebody.
#7 Bringing Bad Moods Into the Game
Some players also have mood-related mistakes, for instance by losing temper during a game of poker. Some of the situations that could lead to this include: – Losing a big pot, – Someone beating them via a miracle card, – Somebody bluffing them- Losing a lot of cash, etc.
The probability that a player on tilt will be unable to control their emotions and feelings is very high.
Therefore, don’t wait until you are losing your temper.
If you find yourself on tilt, immediately leave the table. You can’t win a game of poker when in such a mood because your focus is diminished. But if you realize that your opponent is in such a situation, take advantage.
Normally, a moody player tends to play too many hands and often go too far. Let your opponent take your blinds in times when you have bad/mediocre hands but hit them hard when you have good hands.
#8 Under-Betting the Pot
If you think your opponent is on a draw, calculate their pot odds and make it unprofitable for them to call. But if he calls in the long run, you are going to profit from them even if he will hit his card sometimes.
For instance, if you have a queen of spades and 9 of clubs, then the board is queen of clubs, 9 of diamonds, 5 of hearts and 4 of hearts and the pot is worth $50. In case there’s someone going for a flush draw, then he has 7 outs and 15% of the winnings.
The remainder of 9 hearts, excluding the queen and 9 of hearts that will make your hand a full house. This means you need to place a bet of $15 or higher if you want to force your opponents to take a wrong move.
#9 Wrong Bluffing Amount Set the betting amount in a pot or no-limit game based on your opponent.
While some poker players will throw their hand if they fail to hit their card even if you place a small bet, others will call a tiny bet amount so as to see your cards.
Still, there are those players who will fall to a small betting amount thinking it is a trap being laid for them and call a huge bet believing it is a bluff.
You need to make your decision on how much to place according to your opponent. As you learn from our free Texas Hold’em tutorials, please remember to also share with your friends. See you next time and don’t forget to be the first to like this from your friends.
We also left you a video that explains this as well if you love to watch video how-to tutorials.