Poker is a skill game, but it is easy to learn and play as soon as you know the basics.
No matter what your initial skill is, you could play and bring down some pots at the poker table at one of the top online poker sites.
Another question is how you shift from casual to professional poker player. When the first series of popular poker tours on late-night TV became a regular and the Hollywood studios glamorized the craft through James Bond, everyone contemplated becoming a poker master.
The boom of online poker tournament loaded with big names scalps and massive cash prizes and seats at some of the world’s biggest poker competitions as possible goals, this is the perfect time to boost your game.
Playing poker seems like a good job for a living – for someone who at least enjoys poker.
Yet it’s more complicated than you want to believe. How to become a professional online poker?
We have ten quick poker tips for you to set you on your way to your dream of becoming a professional poker player.
1. Understand All Aspects of the Game
To learn how to succeed as a professional online poker player, it is essential to study the game of poker.
Pro poker players have spent many hours learning the game, even after they already achieve a high level of expertise.
The norm is to read several poker books and take part in extensive poker forum discussions.
Many of the world’s biggest online poker sites have free games to play.
It’s crucial to experience poor plays, test various offensive approaches and defensive play to figure out what works for you in different scenarios.
2. Know the Rules
Of course, the rules of the types of poker you wish to play need to be known. There are also several variations, all of which may or may not be suited to your play style.
Texas Hold’em Poker is the world’s most famous and has many resemblances with the more conventional style of Stud Poker.
Hand rankings are critical and should be fully understood, as are blinds and positional play.
In any gambling game, language and etiquette will always be important to ensure harmony all around the table.
3. Play Winning Hands Only
This may sound easy, but it is a huge part of a highly trained poker player to throw away the junk and avoid playing hands your opponent wishes you to play.
You need to balance your composure and manage your stake strategically.
Use only the positive potential value (+ EV) of starting hands pre-flop to get the best shot from the start.
4. Bluffing
Bet money if strong and fold if weak is a pretty good start, but not the balance of a poker game that is going to keep your adversaries guessing.
Apply bluffing to the game, where you gamble with a weak hand, or you may under bet a strong hand to stimulate more activity on the table.
Having a tough rival to gamble or bet when they shouldn’t is one of the biggest skills as a pro poker player.
5. Be Realistic
However, be alert! Bluffs often are overplayed and seasoned players play far more aggressively than you might imagine.
6. Big Bankroll
Are your money and other finances in place?
In case things will go wrong, several pro poker players would save money worth at least six months of expenses on a different bank account.
It’s a major no-nono to plunge into your poker banking account to cover daily living expenses.
7. Choosing the Right Games
Cadillac Poker and Texas Hold’em, these are famous poker games preferred by many.
But don’t limit yourself, you may have particular skills for Pot-Limit Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud Poker or Draw Poker. Explore more opportunities!
8. Play Consistently and Responsibly
The consistent playing of poker will help you improve and stay competitive as a player. You need to practice, play multiple games, and study your positions to gain the skills and experience required to defeat your opponents.
If you take long breaks, your progress will also slow down. So stick to the game and be capable of turning your bad calls, bad bets, as well as bad beats into a productive learning opportunity you will get on the next game.
There is a chance of failure anytime you spend money. You should never gamble more money than you could ever afford to lose and play the game without unnecessary fear or tension.
Discipline is a vital skill for successful players in professional poker.
Almost all online poker platforms offer deposit/stake restrictions, time-out options, even reality checks – this is a perfect way to handle and control your poker games.
9. Leave Your Emotions at the Door
If you are under tension or frustrated because you have just lost a big pot, it’s time to get out away and take control of your feelings before you go back playing.
Nobody likes losing. Once you have recollected, you will carry on making smart decisions, using tactics that you have trained so long.
10. Know When to Stop
Good planning and effective handling of your bankroll assure that you are aware when it is time to stop.
Chasing losses will tempt you to stay more on the game, but trust your strength and return fighting another day.
It’s time to grab your chips and leave when you’re not in the right state of mind.
