How to Play Like a Poker Professional

Meta: Learning how to play like a poker professional can prevent you from making a number of costly and time-consuming mistakes. Continue reading to find out how.

Whether you indulge in poker for the fun of the game or are interested in becoming a pro, we could all learn a thing or two from the professionals. They may make it look easy but there are a number of key tips and tricks that they must follow in order to guarantee success. Continue reading to find out what they are and how you can utilise them for yourself.

Know your cards

Memorising your cards as soon as you are dealt them can maximise your chances of winning big from the very beginning. This also reduces how often you are required to glance down at them, shattering your focus and making you look like an unseasoned player. If you know exactly which cards lie before you, you can make better decisions and plan your next move in advance. This can also free up more time to pay attention to factors during play you may otherwise have missed such as stack size, chips, and position.

Read the room

The ability to uncover a fellow player’s next move can impact how you progress with the game going forward. You must keep a careful eye on others around you and how they react to each move. This includes the way in which they are dressed, their facial expressions, and their poker face. Getting to know them on a personal level can also allow you to find out whether they are a risk-taker or whether they are likely to play it safe. Reading the room is a skill that takes considerable time and expertise to master. By paying attention to a number of common poker tells, both physical and betting-wise, you can predict how the game is likely to play out.

Take your skills online

There are several differences between playing poker live and on an online platform, such as GGPoker or similar. By mastering both domains, you can increase your chances of success and learn to win big. If you are new to the world of online gaming, many sites offer free trials or discounted rates for brand-new players or those just looking to test the waters before making a commitment. Some are also centred around a specific theme such as nature. Players can experiment with different games, strategies, and stakes to gain a well-rounded understanding of poker and what is required of players both online and in-person. It is also a great way to familiarise yourself with the pressures of a live game without the added stress of having to perform in front of a live audience.

Keep calm

The greatest poker players have perfected their so-called poker face. Knowing how to keep calm and collected throughout the entire game is key to maintaining a sense of ambiguity. Keeping your cool when faced with a particularly aggressive opponent can allow you to assess their weaknesses and make informed decisions when it is your move. There are a number of things you can do beforehand to achieve this. They include meditating, listening to music, and taking time away from your phone. These may sound like minor steps, but small changes can lead to big results over time. A sharp, focused mind can be the difference between you excelling at the table and suffering a mental as well as financial loss.

Learning how to play poker like a pro can boost your confidence at the table and increase your win rate. By learning how to memorise your cards as they are dealt, read the room, take your skills online, and keep cool, calm and collected, you too can experience what it is like to not only play like a pro but win like one too.

Len Houle

“Hipster-friendly explorer. Award-winning coffee fanatic. Analyst. Problem solver. Troublemaker.”