Poker is a game that has its fair share of ups and downs. There are times when you’ll be jumping for joy and there are others where you’ll be despairing over your terrible luck. But what will keep you going over the long haul, besides a solid winning strategy, is your love for the game.
One of the best things you can do is learn as much about the game as possible. It helps to know the rules, what hands beat what and how betting works. Then there are the subtleties of poker like how to read players. Watching how experienced players react to certain situations can help you build your own instincts.
Ultimately the most important thing is to play only when you’re in the mood for it. Poker is a very mentally intensive game and you’ll perform the best when you’re happy. So if you’re feeling tired, stressed or angry it might be time to call it quits and come back another day.
When you have a strong hand in poker it’s usually a good idea to raise instead of limping. This will build the pot and force weaker hands out of the way. It’s also a great way to put pressure on your opponent.
