If you are reading articles about the strategies and techniques used by professionals to make money playing poker, chances are that you probably already know a little bit about the game. You’re past the stage of needing tutorials on what-hand-beats-what or how to play pocket Aces. You’re probably someone who has enjoyed a few good cash wins at a ring game, or maybe you’ve won a nice tournament or two.
However, there is a large gap between playing some profitable sessions or tourneys here and there and being someone who consistently books wins and profits. And with the availability of online poker downloads today, the opportunity to grow your game (and your bankroll) has never been better. With that in mind, let us share with you 5 tips that every winning online player uses:
- Targeting the Softer Games
An elite poker player is a predator, and the table is their hunting ground. When you watch nature programs, do the lions, coyotes, or polar bears go after the young, strong members of the herd or do they look for the sick, injured, and old? Just as it is in the animal kingdom, in the poker world; it’s survival of the fittest. Look for games that have plenty of fish or loose/loose-aggressive players and target the weakest ones.
- Strict Bankroll Management System
Although this is preached in nearly every poker blog, tutorial, and instructional guide, it is still the biggest pitfall to most players trying to become consistent winners. Poker is a game of variance. And the swings get bigger the higher the stakes you play. It is non-negotiable that you play at levels where you can afford to have a bad few weeks and not be broke.
- Maximizing Value Against Weaker Players
This is where we get into the in-game strategy of winning players. You will find soft players in just about any game you play, on any site with a poker download. When a good player is involved in a hand with a weak opponent, it’s crucial to bleed every last chip from them possible.
- Minimizing Risk Against Stronger Players
Just as you want to be a little more aggressive with weak players, you want to be a little more cautious with stronger players. Watch for moves on their part that look suspicious or seem to beg you to bet or raise. Practice pot control against these types of opponents whenever you hold a marginal or lesser hand.
- Knowing When to Leave the Table
This last tip is actually an extension of bankroll management. A lot of poker players have the ability to sit down at a table and build a stack. But very few have the discipline and awareness to know when it’s time to get up. Keep an eye on the table and your opponents; if the play is getting shorthanded or the good players are replacing the bad ones, it’s time to leave.
Why WPT Is Such a Popular Poker Download
None of these tips are very helpful without a quality platform to play on. You want a site that offers a wide variety of games, stakes, and opponents. You also want a provider that has a good balance of cash and tournament play. That way, no matter which style of play is your specialty, you will be able to find a game that suits you perfectly.