Mental Poker Mistakes to Avoid
This was published 18-04-2010You need your wits about you when playing a game of poker and it is often mental mistakes that cost players the game. Whether it’s choosing the wrong tables or bad bluffing, it’s worth eliminating these mistakes to help improve your game.
Firstly, players often make the mental poker mistake of choosing the wrong games. Now, you don’t need to be the best player in town or the best player at the table, but you do need to ensure that you are better than most of the players who are taking part in that particular game. Always pay particular attention to which tables you choose and don’t be shy to quit a table if you are not satisfied with the players.
Secondly, we all bluff when playing poker but we should always try to avoid bad bluffs. You have to consider the hand you are representing when you are deciding to bluff, otherwise good opponents will catch on and call your bluff. Bluffing when playing poker is always more effective when you ensure that you have a good back-up plan. A back-up plan means knowing what you will do if someone calls your bluff. Having a back-up plan to a bluff, and considering the hand you are representing will help you to avoid bad bluffs.
Thirdly, don’t continue playing too long after you realise that you are stuck. It’s natural for most poker players to want to continue with the game even though they realise that they are stuck as they want to get out of the hole and even the playing field. Digging yourself out of a hole is not a good mental poker position to be in though. Give yourself a couple more minutes but remember to call before it’s too late.
Lastly, also don’t do the opposite than what we discussed in point number three. Try to not book wins prematurely. It’s understandable that you will want to book any win if you are coming out of a downswing, but you should not do this if you usually quit shortly after the buy-in. Ensure that you are not that predictable, otherwise your opponents will read you like a book.
And remember that the less mental mistakes you make, the more money you can make when playing poker. Good luck!
