Poker is probably the most popular card game on the planet and playing it in a casino is probably the finest way to enjoy it.
However, before you get too excited and head for Vegas, there are some important things you need to know to make sure you have a fun poker experience.
I’ve given you ten top poker tips for when you’re playing in a casino. Each one offers real value to your game and will help you to enjoy the time you spend in your chosen casino.
Know the different types of poker
There are three types of poker: community, draw, and stud. Community poker incorporates face-up cards that all players can use. Draw poker deals out complete hands before the first round of betting. Stud poker is a face-up/face-down combo. You can learn more about them and how to play them at online casinos by checking the great guides at OnlineCasinos.co.uk.
Research the different variants of poker
Community, draw, and stud are the three types of poker but there are lots of variants that are based on them. Some of the variants of poker are ideal for beginners (like Texas hold’em) while others (such as deuce to seven triple draw) are ideal for experienced players. I recommend you read up on the main ones to get an idea of what variants you’d like to play.
Start by playing Texas hold’em
While it’s important to know about the different types and variants of poker, the best advice many experts will give you is to start by playing Texas hold’em. Not only is it one of the simplest types of poker, but it’s also by far the most popular. This means there are lots of resources available to help you understand the game and improve how you play.
Learn the pre-flop hand rankings
When I say pre-flop I mean the point in the game where you’ve been dealt your cards, but the first round of betting has yet to commence. Using Texas hold’em as my example, the pre-flop poker hand rankings go from high card (the lowest being 7-2) to a pair of aces.
Understand the post-flop hand rankings
Post-flop hand rankings are when the betting has begun, meaning that the strength of your hand can evolve and improve. Going back to Texas hold’em to explain how this looks, the worst post-flop hand is high card (again, 7-2) while the best is a royal flush.
Think about your playing style
Your playing style is super important in poker. Because it’s a game where you have the opportunity to bluff and you aim to extract money from your opponents. This means that how you play impacts both if you can win a game and how much money you can win from it. You can learn about poker playing styles by reading this brilliant article from TournamentTerminator.
Get an appreciation for bet sizing
Bet sizing is really important in poker and getting right can be the difference between having a good session or a bad one. A general rule is that you should never limp into hands – this is when you match the forced big blind bet. This is because it makes you look weak and inexperienced. However, your main consideration with bet sizing is getting the most money you can from your opponent(s). So you should bet the amount you think will achieve this.
Read up on bankroll management
Bankroll management is a super valuable principle because it makes sure you don’t overspend when you’re playing poker. The concept is that you keep your poker money completely separate from your personal cash. Doing this reduces the risk of you betting more money than you should and helps you to gamble responsibly.
Practice before you step into a casino
Just like every other game, practice makes perfect with poker. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll swiftly become an ace player, but if you try some different strategies then you’ll definitely improve your chances of winning. You can either practice your skills at an online casino, an online poker cardroom, or by holding home games with friends.
Watch ‘Rounders’ before playing for serious money
Rounders is the best poker film, period. One of the reasons it’s so good is that the action is among the most realistic you’ll see on screen. However, another is that it shows you what happens if you get carried away when you play poker. I won’t spoil it for you, but all I’ll say is that Matt Damon’s character shows very early on why you need to be careful when you play.
Recommended reading: TEN REASONS WHY US CASINO SITES ARE POPULAR IN THE EU
I’ve given you ten top tips that will help you when you’re playing poker in a casino.
You’ll note that all of these tips are things you can work on before you visit a casino and there’s a reason for this – playing in a casino demands respect and the way you achieve this is by being prepared before you visit one.
So, get to grips with all of these ten top tips and then start having some fun in a casino!