Winning at online poker is something that is very difficult and it does really take some skill to be able to do it.  Online poker is one of those things that in recent years has become extremely popular and if you are just starting out playing, you should definitely learnt he ins and outs of how to play poker before you try your hand at online poker.  In blog, we are going to explore some of the most common mistakes that people make in online poker so you can avoid them!

Firstly – know when to quit.  A lot of people play just to play and they usually are playing way too many hands and that is one of the main reasons why they lose so much money.  So if your luck is down, you might as well quit while you are ahead and save yourself some cash.

Next, you should really set realistic expectations.  Just because you are playing online, that does not mean that you can go ‘sit’ and play at tables that you know are a higher limit because you think you are going to earn more money.  It won’t happen, so make sure you stay within your skill set!

1. Visit a lot of poker rooms. You’re not going to find the juicy games if you don’t travel. Invest. Don’t worry about spending €250 on a flight to Barcelona if you play 10/20 No Limit Hold’em. It’s 12 Big Blings. It’s worth it if the game is good.

2. Talk to all the cardroom managers. Be a good sport, and explain them you are not a local. Try to get some info as to where the action is coming from. In the long run, when you frequent poker rooms you tend to win at – ask to be called when the game is juicy. Poker room managers will do this if they know you well. Gain their confidence, once you’re on the call-list, you’ve got a great advantage bankroll-wise.

3. Don’t slow down the game by complaining about the bad calls they make when they suck out. DON’T DO IT! You want them making these calls – and they’ll do it again. I’ve seen my KK, QQ & JJ’s get cracked by A4 and A5 in a two players-to-the-flop situation hundreds of times – but most of the time, these ‘winners’ end up going broke. Having them win temporarily is a good thing.

4. Don’t limp with big hands in juicy games. I realize authors such as Dan Harrington have said the absolute contrary, but thing is – juicy games see a lot of high-volume, cheap flops—and you don’t want that – not even with AQ. Raise, and raise big. In the end, EVERY big raise you make will get at least one or two calls, and every big raise will be pure profit in the long run. You’ll get called by any two cards (suited, haha) – and most of the time you’ll be able to take the pot down with any pair, seeing as it’s probably best. On a plus: a big bet after the flop will likely be called by middle pair or any draw – so don’t worry about slowplayin a pair or two, betting is best value in these games.

More to come soon!

If you hold the following, AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AKs, AKo, or AQs – RAISE. The fewer players you are up against the greater your chance of winning. Players with weak hands should and mostly will fold so you have a better idea of what you are up against. Obviously there are some caveats to this. Be sensible. Watch the other players. If someone who has practically folded every hand they have been dealt for the last hour raises a huge amount and you are holding JJ chances are they have AA or KK and you should leave well enough alone.

You can call with the following; TT, 99, 88, 77, AQo, AJs, ATs, KQs, KQo, KJs, QJs. If you can get in really cheap the middle suited connectors are also worth playing in the late position. But as with above, if that tight player makes a huge raise just fold. Folding is free unless you are in the blinds. Calling only to fold leter can get expensive.

When the flop hits how your hand has developed is in the hands of the poker gods and that is a subject for another time.

If you have a hand (no not top pair, you need at least top or second set) it is nearly always better to bet than check-call. Why if your hand is worth calling did you not bet? Your decisive bet can knock out weak draws and the just plain pre-flop hopeful. It also means you are in control of the pot. As with most poker games your non-nut hand will stand up better against fewer players so try to thin out the pot with aggressive play. If you have a draw and it checks round to you, look to bet the pot in late positions, even with relatively weak draws.

Make notes on the hands people are showing down. Remember whatever the maths says you have to base how you play on your opponents and adjust accordingly. In Omaha more than Hold’em the most observant player often is the most profitable player. Take notes on betting patterns. Most online sites will let you attaché notes to a player to help you remember when you come up against tem again. Make use of this facility. If you fold your cards watch the rest of the hand closely to see how it plays out.

Let’s start with the basics. You are dealt four hole cards and there are five community cards.

Phase 1 – Each player is dealt four cards (Hole Cards)
Phase 2 – A chance to bet
Phase 3 – Three community cards are dealt face up on the table (The Flop)
Phase 4 – A chance to bet
Phase 5 – One more community card is dealt face up on the table (The Turn)
Phase 6 – A chance to bet
Phase 7 – The final community card is dealt face up on the table (The River)
Phase 8 – A last chance to bet.

You must make the best hand you can from two hole cards and three community cards.

The pot limit game limits betting and raises to a maximum that is currently in the pot. If the pot holds $100, you can not bet more than $100. If you are raising a player’s bet, your call is included in the pot already. So the pots can get very big very quickly and if you don’t know what you are doing it can be a costly mistake. Three raises in a row can turn a $1 pot into an $18 pot so think before you pot your bankroll at risk.

Trying Pot Limit Omaha without first understanding the game properly could be a costly mistake but with less really skilled Omaha players than Texas players you may just make a killing.

Bet the pot. No seriously. Bet the pot 90 – 95% of the time. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly it makes it very hard to put you on a hand. Better players will spot your betting patterns very quickly. If you don’t think you have the best hand or your draw is weak, fold. Messing about with small bets that you are going to fold later means you will leak money like the Northern Rock. Secondly, it will give people the opportunity to draw cheaply. The dodgy hand they had on the flop my turn into a blinder by the river if you let them get in too cheaply.

Bet on a draw. If you have a fantastic draw that has at least 10 outs to give you the nuts then bet. (Yes bet the pot). If you are first in then be aggressive. Do NOT slow play your hand. Just don’t do it. Omaha is game of draws and redraws and if you have the best hand by the turn, it could be all over by the river.

Finally watch what others are doing around you. If a tight player suddenly bets and then re-raises then get the hell out of dodge. If a big gambler raises pre-flop don’t give it as much weight. You’ll find more bluffing with the betting here than with Hold’em.