The 5 Critical Elements That Will Make You a Successful Poker Player Ongoing

We've had a look at what makes excellent poker professionals better than others. Now let's consider the five most critical moves that will make your own poker strategy a successful one.

They are:

• Understanding which hands to play
• Hiding your position
• Picking games appropriately
• Checking up on opponents
• Easing your decisions

Part 1 – Know Which Hands to Play

"Every battle is won before it is fought." – Sun Tzu

Poker in its most basic form is simply playing your hand versus your opponent's hand. There are just so many factors, but choosing hands is the foundation of a good poker game.

It's simple common sense to know which hands to play – and when to fold 'em – but are you entering the table with a clear, well-considered understanding of hand ranges and tables?

Whether you're playing live tables or hunting bitcoin cash poker sites for instant action, principles remain the same.

Examine a standard 10-seat poker table. Each position requires varied strategy, so you'll be forced to play mixed-up hands based on your seat.

As a general guideline: the closer you are to the button, the wider your range must be.

Even so-called "aggressive" players make basic mistakes simply because:

• They don't define their hand ranges before the session.
• They're afraid to employ a rough strategy against other players.

To prevent these problems, decide in advance what hands you'll play in each position.

You'll be amazed at how much this improves your game. Knowing what to play—and what not to—gives you a vast advantage.

Attempt this easy exercise to get a better grasp on position and hand selection. Ask yourself from what positions you would play the following:

• [Ts 9s]
• [Ah Td]
• [7s 5s]
• [Jc Jd]

Example responses:

• [Ts 9s] – All positions
• [Ah Td] – Middle to late position
• [7s 5s] – Button
• [Jc Jd] – All positions

Weak players believe that such planning is not needed… and that's precisely why they are still beatable. Avoid making the same error.

A preflop strategy with a solid grounding cuts down uncertainty and boosts your confidence level and performance.

Part 2 – Hide Your Strength

With hand selection in mind, it's now time to play those hands properly.

Let's take an example of a player named John. He is very tight, raises once an hour, and opens only top-quality hands. If he raises preflop, he probably has pocket tens or better.

That strategy will work for a bit, but solid players will be his worst nightmare.

You don't wish to be predictable at poker. Have your opponents guess—never once should they ever be able to easily put you on a hand.

The following are four golden rules of concealing your play:

• Raise to the same amount with all hands.
• Play consistent action and play multiple hands post-flop.
• Weak and strong hands are played equivalently.
• Never show your cards unless forced.

Let's break these down:

1 – A steady size increase makes it nearly impossible for your opponents to determine the strength of your hand. And if they're betting you're bluffing, they'll give you money back when you have monsters.

2 – Playing many hands post-flop in a similar fashion keeps your approach masked. Irritated opponents are likely to make mistakes against this pressure.

3 – Treating weak and strong hands the same adds another level of confusion to your opponents. Most will fold just due to frustration or fear.

4 – Never have to expose your cards. Watch players like Phil Ivey—you won't catch him revealing his hand unless he has to. The less information you give, the tighter your game.

Part 3 – Choose the right games

One of the least appreciated but most crucial aspects of poker success is the selection of games. Strategy or not, the tables you play at will dictate your long-term outcome.

As you sit down at a table, ask yourself:

• What is the rake?
• Are the players weak, average, or strong?
• Is the table loose or tight?
• If live, is it safe and distraction-free?
• Have you ever played against any of these players before?

Poker's a man game. It's you and the way you play, as well as who you play with.

Indications of a soft, profitable game are:

• Low, or no rake.
• A full table of recreational players.
• Brazen drinking.
• A lot of loose, wild action.
• A comfortable, friendly poker room.

Some of these are more difficult to find than others, but it's helpful to know them.

Don't let ego get you into "proving" yourself. When a table is filled with tougher players, just leave. It's more profitable to beat up on bad players than to fight the best.

Part 4 – Adapt to Your Opponents

Adjusting to your opponents is where better players truly shine. By identifying patterns and capitalizing on them, they're able to be one step ahead.

Take a player such as Phil Ivey. He stares his opponents down, says nothing, and blinks them into submission—picking over each move meticulously.

Whereas this mind games works for some players, others may take a more logical tack.

Try studying repeatable tendencies:

• Are they aggressive or passive?
• Do they reveal hands at showdown?
• Do they look tired or impatient?
• Do they play irrelevant hands?

These are your tips that enable you to form mind images of every player. You might not always be aware of whether they are bluffing or not, but you'll be receiving info other people aren't.

Assume a normally aggressive player is visibly tilted or annoyed. You can check your good hands instead of betting—inviting them to bluff.

Be observant. See the hands players show, and pay attention when their play is suspicious. These blunders are your best opportunity.

Part 5 – Keep Your Decisions Simple

Poker can become overwhelming, especially on bad hands or big pots. In your head, you feel weighed down. Chill out and simplify.

Don't worry about coming across as slow or boring others. Be calm. Take your time.

Be logical: What are the hands you can possibly have here? What are the hands your opponent can possibly have?

Use that information to make the most profitable choice.

If you're in the corner, think about your options. You don't have to bluff for bluffing's sake because you failed to hit the flop. Folding may be the smartest idea at times.

Good poker is to avoid risk in marginal situations and wait for premium situations.

It's all about knowing what to play—and play aggressively.