Overlooking Opponents
What matters most is the strength of your hand in relation to your opponent’s hand. Many players forget to consider what their opponents may have based on what is on the board. Winning requires you to look beyond your cards. Read your opponents based on their playing styles so that you can give some thought to what they are holding.
Playing Too Many Tournaments
Multi-table tournaments are fun; many players play them because of the prizes. However, it is more difficult to win money in tournaments than it is in ring games. Luck is much more of a factor than pure skill when you are playing against a large number of players over a period of time. Even the best players fail to make the final table due to the luck of the draw. It is difficult to develop good poker skills. Very few players get involved in hands after the flop, so it takes longer to develop certain aspects of your poker game.
Ignoring Your Statistics
Many good poker players play a lot of games but do not keep track of wins and losses. Keeping statistics on how you fare at different games is important to developing your skills. Poker players are better at some games, limits, and poker rooms than others. When you play online, many sites provide statistical tracking features so that you can see how well you are play different games. Identify and track games where your expected value is highest. Identify which games to avoid because you consistently lose in those areas.
Playing Predictably
Playing the same way is more of a concern in No-Limit Poker. It is quite likely that you will be playing at the same table for some time with several good players. They will identify your playing and betting patterns unless you change your decisions. Make sure that you alter your style throughout the game.
Playing Different Games
Intermediate-level players tend to switch between different poker games. They think that they will excel at all games. Try different games to see which ones you like best and which ones you play better. Once you identify that game, stick with it so that you can improve your skills in that one game and become a successful poker player in that area.
Moving Limits
Many poker players get frustrated by the level of play and number of bad beats they face when playing lower limits. They move up to higher limits to avoid playing weak players who get lucky too often. There is more variance at lower limits because players tend to play a lot more hands. However, there is a higher expected value because you have more opportunities to take advantage of their mistakes. Losing due to bad luck is a short run event. Luck evens out over the long run. However, if you have a losing record over the long run in lower stakes games, it is unlikely to change in the higher stakes games. |
