Top 5 Poker Tips for Beginners
Dipping your toes into the world of Poker can be both exciting and confusing. As a newcomer, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the range of strategies, rules, and nuances that make the game so fun. That’s why we’ve narrowed things down to the five most important tips a beginner should know. They’re a mix of strategic thinking, basic rules, and reading the table to give you a well-rounded experience.
As well as that, we’ll tell you all about some simple Poker games that are great for beginners. Plus, whether you’re interested in video or live Poker, we’ve got suggestions where you can play both!
Spend Some Time Learning the Rankings & Rules
If you don’t fully understand the flow of the game and hand rankings when you start playing, it can be especially hard when you’re just starting out. That’s why you should familiarise yourself with the game in theory before you do in practice.
Imagine you get a Straight and the whole time you’re wondering what it beats instead of thinking about your next move or watching your opponents. It wastes valuable time in such a fast-paced game and can leave you feeling frustrated and confused.
Knowing what happens pre-flop, during the River, and at other betting stages is also essential. You’ll always know what to expect and what your options are.
Focus on One Table
Though multi-tables seem like a fun and challenging option, they should be reserved for when you’ve already built up your strategy and practised for a while. Playing one table will let you focus on everything that’s going on— what style of play your opponents are using, how your strategy is going, what hands are present in the Showdown, and so on.
This is a lot of information to take in when you’re just starting out, even though it may seem intuitive at first glance. Giving yourself more space to observe how others play, will also help you recognise what makes a good Poker player. Then, you can apply that to yourself and improve your skills!
Bluff Effectively
One of the biggest appeals of Poker is that it’s so psychological. Even when you don’t have a winning hand, you can win if you manage to trick your opponents. But, new players often think that bluffing every hand is all it takes to win. In truth, bluffing too much can make you lose more often than not. It’s all about picking the right situation.
For example, if you start making random bets suddenly during the game, it can be very obvious to other players what you’re trying to do. Bluffs are the most effective when they make sense in the game, like when you’ve got single continuation bets.
Play at Low Stake Tables
There’s no reason to go big or go home when you’re starting out. Your goal is to get to know the game, practise, and participate in the community. Low stake tables are perfect for that, as they allow you to make mistakes, lose, and— most importantly— learn without sacrificing a lot.
These tables usually also have other beginners, so there’s less chance you’ll be intimidated by other opponents. And since you’re on the same level, it will actually be a fair game instead of having someone with more experience just taking your money.
Since both of these factors help to make you feel more relaxed and comfortable, you’ll also get a better feel for the table, which always helps when you’re trying to improve!
Think About the Range of Your Opponents’ Cards
We already mentioned how crucial it is to pay attention to your opponents, but their cards are just as important. A lot of new players imagine a specific hand another player might have, based on the combination of logical deduction and gut feelings. But, what they don’t realise is that this is a losing strategy.
Instead of trying to guess the specific hand, you need to start thinking of the range of combinations the other player could be holding. You should be paying attention to what the player does after the flop, if they’re betting or checking, and what they’re doing in different positions. All of this info can help you determine whether they have a strong or weak hand, so you can make better decisions.
Best Poker Games for Beginners
When you feel like you’re ready to take things to the next level, our guides for intermediate and advanced players will be waiting for you. For your current level, you can check out our strategy page that’s filled with more general tips for improving your game.
Magic Poker by Wazdan
This video Poker game comes with a 96.61% RTP and 800x your bet max potential win. It’s perfect for beginners because of the straightforward gameplay and the third deal feature. This means that you get two chances to win, which doubles your opportunity to get the hands you want.
As well as that, this game suggests cards you can choose to make a hand. This is just the support a beginner needs as they gain more confidence in making valuable hands!
Caribbean Stud Poker by Evolution
If you’re looking for some live action, then this live Poker game by Evolution is perfect. It features a user-friendly design, making it easy to follow and place bets. While other players might be at the same table as you, you will all be playing just against the house.
After the cards are dealt and you make the best hand you could, the dealer will reveal everyone’s hands and you’ll see who won. When you start feeling more comfortable with the game, you can also occasionally try placing a side bet on the 5+1 Bonus or Jackpot options.
Caribbean Hold’em by Habanero
In this video Poker version, you’re just playing against the dealer. This means that there are no other players that you need to pay attention to, and in-depth rules you need to know. Instead, you can focus on just making the best hand available and beating the house.
There are no complicated betting stages, the hole and community cards are just dealt, and then you try to make the best hand possible. If your hand is stronger than the dealer’s, you win. This is the perfect introduction to Texas Hold’em and comes with a 96.8% RTP.
3 Card Brag Live by Playtech
Those who want to try something other than Texas Hold’em can enjoy a good game of 3 Card Brag live Poker by Playtech. It’s played with only three hands, which can feel a lot less complicated for people who are just entering the Poker world.
Traditionally, the game is played against other players, but in this version, you’ll only have to focus on the dealer. When the cards are dealt and you decide if you want to play, the hands will be revealed and the one with the stronger hand wins.
Texas Hold’em Poker 3D by Evoplay
Welcome to the Wild West, take a seat at one of the best video Poker tables available for beginners. The 3D graphics make the game feel more immersive and the fact the game highlights each next step means you’ll easily get around.
You’re playing just against the dealer, meaning that your goal is to have a better hand than them. The RTP is 99.37% which is ideal for getting your confidence up!
Where to Play Poker Games Online
4Ra Bet Casino
You can explore some classic Poker games at this casino, like Caribbean Stud Poker and Three Card Poker. These are perfect for beginners, as they introduce you to the game without putting you under a ton of pressure.
While there is no welcome offer specifically for Poker, you’ll join the loyalty program while registering and you can get a monthly cashback bonus as part of the program. This means that you’ll be getting 5% to 20% (depending on your loyalty level) of your Poker net losses back each month!
Stake Casino
At Stake Casino, you’ll find Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino Hold’em, and Three Card Poker. There are also a couple of video Poker games available that you can experiment with. The casino doesn’t have a welcome offer, but they do have a great VIP program that you join as soon as you register.
Play Poker, advance your status, and earn rewards like match bonuses, reload bonuses, and even rakebacks (the house edge is refunded to you).
Spartan Poker
This is another Poker site that’s perfect for beginners, as it has a range of promotions and tournaments for players of all skill sets. You can even get in on the Refer and Earn program and make some bonus money when your friends register for the casino. Spartan Poker has a ton of resources for new players— all you have to do is visit the Poker Guide section on the website.
The welcome offer will sweep you off your feet. It’s spread over the first three deposits and you can receive 600% up to ₹60,000 in total!
Parimatch Casino
Play Poker on the weekends and get a 10% cashback every Monday! Live dealer Poker games and other Indian favourites are available in the live casino section, with the most popular Poker titles headlining this game’s category.
If you’re feeling brave after a lot of practice, you can also participate in one of Parimatch’s MTT (Multi-table tournaments) or Sit & Go tournaments. This will allow you to practice your skills in a different setting and give you a chance to get to the next skill level.
IndiBet Casino
IndiBet welcomes you with an offer you just can’t refuse— 200% up to ₹12,500 with a minimum deposit of ₹100! The wagering requirements for live casino games, including Poker, are only 25x. We also like that the casino has a loyalty program where you can earn points and spend them on gifts like gadgets and clothes.
There are a few standard Poker tables, including Texas Hold’em, but the real stars of the show are the Teen Patti tables!
Beginner Poker Strategy FAQs
There are a lot of guides and tips on how to play online Poker, including ours. As well as that, some casinos like PokerStars have free courses for beginners and there are also platforms like Replay Poker where you can practise for free.
A lot of players make real money when playing online Poker. It’s a matter of strategy and a little luck, but it’s definitely possible.
The winning hand will depend on the specific game you’re playing, but some hands that almost always win are: Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four-of-a-Kind and Full House.
A beginner can develop a strategy, read a lot about Poker, and practise every chance they get!
The easiest Poker game for beginners is Magic Poker in our opinion. This video Poker game will suggest cards to make it easier for you to make a hand, which is ideal for those who are just learning the ropes.
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