If you have spent any time playing poker, either online or at one of the hundreds of poker clubs around the US, you will know that success or failure, profit or loss, can rest upon the smallest factors. Adopting certain routines and practices is all part of developing your game, just as it is if you want to fulfill your ultimate potential at golf or fulfill Here, we cover some of the most important poker practices around which you can build a more robust and successful game.
Set your bankroll at the outset
When you are at the table, your mind should be on the game and nothing else. Set your money limit before you get emotionally caught up in the heat of battle and withdraw that and only that. Then there are no distractions about whether or not to re-buy, which never looks good, or worrying that you are spending more than you can afford.
Choose your poker table and don’t compromise
If you play in a physical poker club, you soon get to know where to play and from where to stay clear, according to your ability. If there’s no seat at the table of choice, be patient, one will come vacant sooner than later. The same applies online – some US poker sites attract more fish than sharks. For example, this Bovada Poker Review mentions that there is an abundance of soft competition. Ideal for a would-be poker shark with a healthy appetite!
Take breaks
Whether you are in a poker club or at home glued to a screen, there is no obligation to take part in every single hand. The human brain can only stay fully focused for about 45 minutes, and if you keep playing solidly for an hour or more, you will start to make mistakes. That’s a guarantee. Take five to ten minutes to stretch your legs, get some air, take a comfort break and maybe grab a snack or a drink. Your performance will be all the better for it when you return.
Avoid alcohol
Speaking of grabbing a drink – this tip could be controversial. Some people like to enjoy a cocktail or a beer at the poker table, and as a grown adult, that’s ultimately up to you. Just keep in mind that the laws about drinking while driving, operating machinery, or performing brain surgery are there for a reason. Alcohol affects your focus, your decision-making, and your ability to assess risk versus return. If you really want to have a drink or two, have water, too, as alcohol also causes dehydration.
Keep records
When you’ve left the table, get into the habit of creating notes about what happened. It doesn’t have to be an in-depth report, just a summary of the opposition, how things went, and any memorable incidents or surprises, good or bad. Information is power and will inform your gameplay going forward. Even if you seldom go back to it, the simple act of making the record will help you zero in on any important insights.
