Looking forward to playing your first ever live tournament? Well, playing your first tourney may be a daunting experience, as you are surrounded by hundreds of poker players hoping to bust you early. However, keep in mind that most players in the room are like you, being the first timers or casuals. Although there are some serious players, that shouldn’t intimidate you as a player. You just need to prepare yourself well in advance to approach your first -ever live tourney with full confidence. Here are some beginner poker tips, which should set you on the right track in your first-ever poker game:
1.Know Rules of the Room
Every poker room may have different poker rules. Before you sit down for a tourney, it is important for your to familiarize yourself with the rules of a particular room to avoid mistakes. Understand all betting rules well in advance. If you you wish to put an over-sized chip in as a bet , always say ‘ raise’. If you don’t say ‘raise’ while putting an over-sized chip as bet, it will be considered a call from you.
2.Don’t Play Too Many Hands or Bluff Too Much
Some new players go on to play almost all hands. This leads them into a trap. Although it is true that some weak starting hands like suited connected may win, but you lose more than you win. Another misconception is that some beginners think that they need to bluff to win. While occasionally a bluff is good , it is better to play your cards carefully rather than trying to bluff your opponents too often.
3.Keep Patience & Play Tight Before Flop
Patience plays a key role in poker. Try not to act too quickly, always think before deciding to call, raise or fold your hand. It is a good idea to be as tight as you can pre-flop. It is better to fold if you have a weak hand. Don’t go for a raise or re-raise if you don’t have a strong hand like A-A, K-K, Q-Q and A-K.
4.Read Opponents & Cards on Table
As a beginner, always pay attention to the table to know who is playing aggressively( betting big and playing lots of hands), who is playing tight ( folding hands quickly and playing just strong hands). If any of your cards does not match any of the common cards, it is time to fold after someone bets to you.
5.Always Protect Your Chips
If you are playing for the first time and you look around the table and can’t guess who is the sucker, it is probably you. Once you know your hand is weak, it is time to conserve and play only best hands to protect chips. You should know as who is stealing blinds at your table. If the button is stealing your blinds, protect your blinds by folding, but do steal his or her blinds when you have a chance to steal.
6.Don’t Panic About Being a First Timer
Sure,you are surrounded by big players and you don’t know what to do and what your options are. In such a situation, don’t get stressed and play your straightforward game without imitating pros. Though a first timer, but If you have prepared well and know the game, you need not to worry about.
7.Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
Last but very important lesson for poker players playing their first live poker tournament is to avoid drinking. When you drink at the table, it not only impairs your thinking level, but also gives your opponents the impression that you are perhaps not playing well and it is forcing you to go for drinks.