With the pandemic, the online poker industry grew to greater heights. In fact, first-time poker players increased by 255% in the lockdown period. In 2022, interest in online poker continues to grow – with first-time players and serious players joining in on the fun.
Those from the older generation are now more likely than ever to play. As we wrote in our previous blog post on hobby ideas for people over 50, having a safe and entertaining hobby, such as a card game like poker, is something that can keep your mind engaged and excited. With online poker, players can play anywhere on a mobile device making it a very convenient and accessible game.
While the basic rules and hand rankings of poker are simple to pick up, if you want to be a serious player you need to implement good strategies to win. Read about three great online poker strategies below to help you out:
Learn to be Ware of Your Table Position
In poker, table positions can greatly affect how you play the game. As the hands go on the seating positions of every player changes in relation to the dealer (button). The best seating positions in poker are the dealer and the two seats to the dealer’s right known as the late positions. This is because they play last, without putting a blind in, and get a much better insight into how the hand is developing. Serious online players need to know how to take advantage of this position by being more adventurous and aggressive. Because you are the last to play the other players will think you must have a good hand if you bet big. On the other hand this is also the best position to bluff from. Also if you are in an early position it is much better to play conservatively until you are sure you have the best hand.
Be More Deliberate in Game Selection
You need to be deliberate in your selection and choose a game where you can learn and grow. Playing with first-time players wouldn’t give you action and playing with pros can just be a waste of your money. Taking your poker game to the next level means finding a healthy balance between these two groups. It is best to play with people at the same level as you. This way, you can learn from them and you will have a better chance of winning.
Know When to Fold
In poker, the best poker players know when is the best time to bow out of the game. As you make your strategy, you should also know when to fold before the flop. A preflop strategy sets you up for a better game in all rounds. Once the flop is laid down, the dynamics can quickly change, and getting attached to a certain hand can negatively affect your play. To know when to fold, evaluate your preflop hand and the players around you. Case in point, considered a very bad fold in 2021, World Series of Poker’s Ryan Leng folded after thinking that Dan “Jungleman” Cates had a straight. Cates, who would have been out of the game, proceeded to win the tournament. If Leng had kept playing a bit longer, the outcome may have been different.
If you want to take your online poker playing to the next level and become a serious opponent at the felt, we hope these tips help.
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