Five Common Poker Mistakes Explained
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 10/02/2023
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Players at Poker Table
- Online Poker Mistakes
- The Most Common Poker Mistakes: An Overview
- Mistake #1: Over-Bluffing
- Mistake #2: Playing Too Many Hands
- Mistake #3: Not Analyzing Opponents
- Mistake #4: Chasing Too Many Draws
- Mistake #5: Betting with Weak Hands
- Frequently Asked Questions
Poker is a game of skill and strategy, but inexperienced players can fall victim to common mistakes. In this blog post, we will explore the five most common poker mistakes so you can learn how to avoid them when you’re playing. Being able to recognize and fix these mistakes can take your poker game to the next level, so, without further ado, let’s get started!
Online Poker Mistakes
Whether you want to learn about common online poker mistakes or mistakes made at land-based poker rooms, this blog aims to cover the five most common. Thankfully, once you know what to look for, you can catch yourself making these mistakes and eradicate them from your game.
Best of all, all US online poker sites have players making these mistakes – so when you know how to identify them, you can see other players making them and exploit their tendencies!
The Most Common Poker Mistakes: An Overview
Poker is a game of skill, strategy, and luck. While anyone can play, it takes a lot of practice and analysis to become an expert. Even experienced players are prone to making mistakes that cost them wins – and even entire tournaments! The top poker mistakes are well worth learning, so you know how to spot them – and avoid making them yourself.
Of course, we all make mistakes in poker – you might even see poker dealer mistakes! – especially when starting out. However, some mistakes happen more often than others and can significantly affect your profitability. Some of the mistakes we’ll look at today include not analyzing your opponents correctly, over-bluffing, playing too many hands, chasing draws needlessly, and betting with weak hands.
But why are these mistakes so common? Well, a lot of the time, they stem from emotion and impulsiveness. Players get excited and bet aggressively when they shouldn’t or continue playing hands that are likely to be beaten out of stubbornness or a lack of experience.
Whatever the root cause, it’s vital to be aware of these mistakes, as once you know what to look for, you can catch yourself making these mistakes and adjust your gameplay accordingly. So, whether you want to become a better live poker player or want to crush online poker in New Jersey, keep reading to learn all about these mistakes and how to avoid making them!
Mistake #1: Over-Bluffing
One of the most common mistakes poker players make is over-bluffing. Bluffing, the art of pretending like you have a very strong hand to try and make an opponent throw away their hand, is an important part of poker. However, bluffing too often or recklessly can cost you a lot of money – and ruin your chances of becoming a profitable poker player.
Many players love executing a clever bluff and enjoy the rush of bluffing their opponent off a winning hand. However, this can lead to several problems. For example, frequent bluffers may begin to overestimate their ability to read others, becoming too confident in their bluffing abilities.
Other times, players simply bluff when the odds are stacked against them. For example, if there isn’t much money in the pot, but a player really wants to embarrass another player, they may commit all their chips just because of ego – something that’s a terrible strategy in the long run.
Lastly, players who bluff too much often feel the need to always take aggressive action. They constantly bet and raise even when passively checking would be best. This creates predictable behavior, and savvy opponents can begin to exploit it.
To overcome the most common poker mistakes, you need to learn how to bluff smarter – not more frequently. Learn all about the art of bluffing and how to pick spots where bluffs are both believable and profitable. You should always try to mix up your aggressive play with passive moves – and, most importantly, you should always look back on past bluffs and analyze what happened and why.
Of course, different online poker games have different optimal bluffing strategies, so make sure you’re learning how to bluff for the poker game you actually want to play!
Mistake #2: Playing Too Many Hands
Another of the top poker mistakes is simply playing too many hands pre-flop. Eager to see flops and get involved in pots, many players limp into hands with weak hands. However, playing poor hands like low-suited connectors or one-gap cards in early position is a losing strategy in the long run, even though it can feel like an exciting gamble at the time.
Selectivity is key in poker, and, unfortunately, impatience leads many to open up their range too wide. To become a successful poker player, it’s crucial you’re able to have self-discipline and learn which hands to play – and which to fold. Another mistake that ties into this is falling into the trap of overvaluing middle pairs like 9s or 10s. While these are very strong hands in certain situations, in multiway pots, they’re incredibly vulnerable.
To avoid getting involved with too many pots – especially ones you shouldn’t really be anywhere near – work out how to implement a tighter pre-flop strategy into your gameplay. Don’t just limp into pots – either raise for value or fold. It’s going to take discipline – and it may feel unusual at first, as you are, essentially, changing your entire playing style – but if you want to become a successful poker player, it’s crucial you eradicate this mistake from your game now.
Here’s a summary of what we’ve covered in this section:
| Common Mistake | How To Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Playing too many hands pre-flop | Be selective with the hands you play. Stick to strong starting hands, especially in early positions. This will save you money in the long run and help you make better decisions post-flop. |
| Limping into pots | Instead of limping, make a strong raise when you have a good hand. This sets the tone for the hand and can help you take control of the pot. If your hand isn’t strong enough to raise, it’s often better to just fold. |
| Overvaluing middle pairs | While hands like pocket 9s or 10s can be strong in some situations, they’re not always winners, especially in multi-way pots. Be prepared to fold these hands if the action indicates you’re beaten. |
| Lack of Pre-Flop Strategy | Develop a solid pre-flop strategy that includes which hands to play in various positions and how to respond to different types of players. This will give you a roadmap for how to approach each hand. |
Mistake #3: Not Analyzing Opponents
Poker isn’t just about your cards; it’s about reading your opponents. Many players, especially casual ones, don’t pay attention to others at the table. They play each hand without considering the other players’ habits. This is a big mistake. If you’re up against an aggressive player, you should play tighter to avoid losing big. On the other hand, if you’re facing a timid player, you can be more aggressive to win more pots.
Ignoring your opponents’ styles means you’re missing out on chances to exploit their weaknesses. For example, some players are prone to folding easily, while others will keep calling. Knowing this lets you adjust your strategy to take advantage of their habits.
The root of this problem often boils down to laziness or ego. Some players think they can win just by focusing on their own game. But poker is all about incomplete information. The more you know about your opponents, the better your chances of winning.
To improve, make it a habit to study your opponents. Take notes on their behaviors and update them as you go. This will help you make smarter decisions and increase your win rate. Don’t ignore this crucial aspect of the game; your success depends on it.
Mistake #4: Chasing Too Many Draws
Chasing draws can be tempting, but it often leads to losing money. Players get caught up in the excitement of hitting a big hand and ignore the actual odds. They think the pot is big enough to justify chasing but forget that more players in the pot actually reduces their chances of winning. Emotion plays a big role, too; once players feel committed to a hand, they find it hard to fold.
Another mistake is overvaluing certain types of draws. Not all draws are created equal. Low flush and gutshot straight draws often have poor odds, but players chase them, thinking any draw is worth it. This lack of analytical thinking costs them in the long run.
Impatience also leads to poor decisions. After folding for a while, players start calling just to be in the action, ignoring whether it’s a smart move.
To improve, you need to be disciplined. Calculate your true pot odds and only chase draws when it makes sense. Focus on high-quality draws and be willing to fold weaker hands. Remember, each betting round is a new opportunity to make a smart choice. Stick to the math, and you’ll make better decisions.
Mistake #5: Betting with Weak Hands
Being overly aggressive with weak hands is another common poker mistake. Players often bet with marginal hands, thinking they’re protecting them or seeking thin value, not realizing they have a poor hand – or have bad odds in a multiway pot.
The root of this mistake often comes from ego or misunderstanding hand strength. Some players bet just to be in the action or because they think their mediocre hand might still be the best. This is a flawed approach; strong hands are better for gathering information through betting.
To eradicate this mistake from your game, learn to be more disciplined with your weak hands. Check with them more often and be willing to fold, especially on dangerous boards. Avoid turning these hands into bluffs, and don’t be afraid to check strong hands occasionally to keep opponents guessing!
