15 Beginner Strategies for New Online Poker Players

by Bodog Poker | Oct 29 2009

If you've been thinking about learning how to play online poker or maybe you've been playing for a short time and need a few pointers, we've got 15 fantastic beginner strategies designed to give you added confidence at the table…

1. Play a tight style to start, and then slowing expand the starting hands that you play. Stick to pocket pairs or two big cards in early positions, and loosen up a bit when in a late position.

2. Play at the right table. Don't play at a high stakes table where your money will disappear at a lightning pace. Play small stakes until you grow a bigger bankroll.

3. Bet most hands that you think you have a lead in. Most hands in the lead are vulnerable to getting outdrawn, make your opponents pay for their other cards so they don't get there for free.

4. Practice your skills on free tables and in freeroll tournaments before you risk your money on the game. When you can beat those games you can make the jump to real money games.

5. Learn to pause for equal intervals when it's your turn to play and your opponents won't be able to figure out what you might be holding based on how quickly you act.

6. Make sure you get a good poker sign-up bonus when you buy-in for real money games. As you play you'll earn money that you can use to play more poker.

7. Read poker books and articles on the strategic side of the game. You'll never get enough information on how to improve you game; educate yourself about the game.

8. Set up a weekly home game if you're not already playing in one. The friendly action will help you learn the game in a situation that doesn't have all the pressure.

9. Don't be a calling machine. Bet, raise, or fold are the moves that you should be making, not calling bets to hit draws or calling bets that get outdrawn over and over.

10. Document your progress so you can figure out where the leaks in your game are, and make a list of action players who are capable of dumping lots of bets.

11. If you don't know who the weak player at the table is, it usually means that it's you. If this is the case, find another table to play on and save your bets against higher skilled players.

12. Don't draw to the low end of a straight. It's rarely a good play because even when you hit your card you could still be behind the leader.

13. Plan out your action every week so you know how much you're spending and you're able to set aside the playing time without having to put something else off.

14. Be prepared for losing streaks, every player has them at some point in their careers and learning not to tilt away more bets if this happens will make a difference in your long-term results.

15. Grow your bankroll; don't take money out of it unless you absolutely have to. The bigger it grows the bigger the game you'll be in.