Blog Posted on 15/01/2020 | Author: Karen Macarthur

What does it take to become a professional poker player?

Although it’s usually portrayed as a game of luck, it’s really a game of skills you master over time. It doesn’t matter how you initially played but you can always have a chance to fine-tune your skills and get better and more importantly, get smarter with the game. You can always play a few pots either online or anywhere you go. Being a Poker player just requires you to pay attention to every move made.

But improving at the skill isn’t as difficult as it looks. You have to use trial and error with a tiny bit of attention, and you’re already better. The more you repeat this, the better your chances of tasting success. 

Tips to be a great Poker player

Below are the important things to do if you want to ace at Poker: 

• • Research

    It’s just foolish to jump in an unknown ocean. So, first things first, you’ve got to get the hang of the game and its rules. Find out how things work. Most people require reading many Poker books and guides before they make the big bets but once you’re adequately thorough after your research, you’ll know when it’s time.

  • Know what you can and cannot do
    

    Having a comfortable hand on the game can also be achieved by knowing the rules of the game. This will easily give you what you should and shouldn’t do keeping you from wasting time on preventable mistakes. Although there are many versions, try to find the one that suits you and know the game in and out. To place bets with confidence and poise, you need to know the terminology of the game. This will also help you stay calm and composed once you’re sure you know the game and its rules.

  • Practice to success
    

    The best part about practising Poker is its promise of entertainment regardless of your journey. You may not win all the matches but there’s a joy that the poker provides that’ll take you back to the table, get you to play the next game. Once you’ve done your homework, all you’ve got to do is practice putting the pieces together. Your easiest options for practising Poker could be online versions of the game. Being a poker player comes with having experienced and tasted a fair share of highs and lows. So, muster your courage and start now!

  • Always safe to play winning hands

    Play the positive expected value (+EV) starting hands preflop and give yourself a chance to succeed from the outset which will always be more beneficial than it takes from you.

• Bluff-about
  

  The whereabouts of bluff need to be known, understood and felt as they are a key part of playing Poker. A professional Poker player must not only know how to bet with a weak hand and deceive opponents but also how to bet a strong hand when one ought to encourage more action.

• Be ready to catch a bluff
  

  Just as you may get ahead by bluffing, you’d have to know and be clever to catch false tells as well. A professional Poker player is observant, has his eye on the game even when he doesn’t and concentrates enough to make profits. Usually, Poker takes a long time, and hence, you’d find even professional Poker players taking breaks and managing other work apart from playing. But if you’re doing this, remember to have your attention on the game and not to lose your gains as well.

• Play wise and play often
  

  It’s easy for players who manage their bankroll well to play often but to play wise, it demands to be aware and responsible of the money you can afford to lose and work without that loss. Playing often is important as you get a fine hand on the game, but without wise and practical decisions, you may suffer more loss than you can handle. 

• Don’t be distracted by emotions
  

  For a demanding game like Poker, it’s impossible to continue if you’re stressed out because you lost a pot. Use skills and techniques that work for you but don’t be too harsh on yourself because of a single game. If you’re playing reasonably, then your losses should be affordable.

• Quit when you must
  

  Blindly leading yourself on is just as big a mistake as giving up too soon. This step captures the essence of the above steps as you will know when you’re not able to make more deals and more importantly when you shouldn’t. Learn to control the temptation before things get out of hand.

Gaining a hold of the game is synonymous to getting a hold of yourself while playing the game. A professional Poker player weighs his options before he gets forth, and so can you.