Here are 6 ways to avoid looking like a newbie when playing poker

 Six Ways to Avoid Looking Newbie When Playing Poker

1. The Rules of the Games

The game play isn't complicated at all, when compared to betting strategies or knowing your table positions, etc. These are all covered later. You should be familiar with Texas Hold'Em before you start playing. This is a good introduction on rules and game play. This short video will visually walk you through the basics of a hand.

2. Be familiar with the Hand Rankings

The most difficult thing for new players is to know which hand of cards wins. It can be difficult to distinguish between pairs, straights and flushes. The chart below will help you understand the order of the hands. In most cases, the pot will be won by a pair or two of pairs. In house games, we have never seen anything better than a full room; hands higher than that are very rare.

3. Get to know the Vocabulary

Even when playing casually, it is important to understand the poker vocabulary. Below is a brief glossary of terms I find most useful when playing poker.

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4. Be Mindful of Table Etiquette

Knowing the terms and how to play is very important. But it's also important to be aware of basic table etiquette. These "rules" will help to keep the game moving (games can become slow without them), and they will also ensure you aren’t treated as a beginner for the taking. Basic Poker Strategy

You don't have to play every hand unless you really want. If you have ever read a poker book written by a professional, it will advise that you only play the best hands. Poker is a game about patience. If you are dealt a high pair (aces, kings, queens or jacks), then it is best to fold immediately. It's a winning strategy when you want to make money but it's boring when you play for fun.

6. You can also practice online

When I tell people that I have been playing poker online, they often scoff at me and give me a look like "You're one those guys?" But I can confidently say it's made my game better. Since the government began cracking down on online pay sites a few years ago, almost everything you can do online is now free. These games let you play at low or high stakes using fake money. You'll get plenty of chips to begin with, and as you learn more, you'll be able make educated guesses regarding other players' hands. You won't learn much about the betting strategy because it's very difficult to do so when other players are using fake money, but you will be able gain insight into many other aspects of the game. Playing poker is not about playing against a computer, it's with people. How to Play Actually Play Poker