Three Mistakes That Inexperienced Poker Players Can Correct

Inexperienced players often make three specific errors, all of which can be improved upon.

We will outline these mistakes below and offer straightforward solutions to address them.

1. They Play Too Many Hands

Their initial hand range is excessively wide, despite their position at the table. Many players enter the poker room eager to engage, resulting in them refusing to fold a hand that has the potential to win, regardless of their position or the betting rounds.

Here are some examples:

• At pre-flop in the middle position, several players have entered the pot after calling the $3 big blind. Potential hands among them could include Tc8d, Ac2s, Qc8c, 4d3d, or Jh3h—all also likely to be called frequently.


• On the flop, a player in late position called an unraised pot with Ks9s. The flop reveals Ah9h6s, leading an early position player to bet $20, prompting one caller before the late position player decides to call as well.


• On the river, an early position player holds AhKs and opts to raise the pot to $12. pre-flop They receive two callers, making subsequent bets of $20 and $35 on the turn, again drawing two callers each time. Now on the river, the board shows QdJc6s6dKd, and they decide to bet $35, which gets called, followed by a raise to $70. They call, assuming they are flop In simple terms, players need to reduce their hand range. Start by tightening up your selections significantly to gain a new outlook on the game. In early positions, focus exclusively on hands as strong as JJ or better and AK, preferring to raise only. In middle and late positions, you can incorporate a broader calling range of 22+ and suited Aces. pot committed .

Moreover, they are not taking the opportunity to raise when they should, even with strong hands. Instead, they frequently call and rarely take the initiative to bet—which is a major mistake for various reasons.

2. They Play Too Passively

They are calling Weak players aren't extracting maximum value from their strongest hands.

1. Additionally, they open the door for opponents who would have otherwise folded, increasing the likelihood of being outdrawn.


2. Here are scenarios where raising would be preferable to merely calling.

When in mid to late position and holding a premium pair, they find themselves facing a raise and simply call instead of increasing the stakes. For instance, if they have QQ and an early player raises to $10, they should instead consider making it $25 to $30.

1. In early position, with a strong pair and an unraised pot, they should be looking to raise; for example, holding JJ under the gun, a call of $2 should be replaced by an increase to $10 or $12.


2. In late position, if they have a strong drawing hand with a few callers ahead, rather than calling, they ought to raise a good percentage of the time. For instance, with AhTh facing two callers on a $2 big blind, they should elevate the bet to $15. This could either persuade opponents to fold or allow them to secure a win on the flop, turn, or river.


3. On the flop, if they find themselves in late position with a strong drawing hand and it gets checked around, they also check. Instead, they should consider a bet to seize the pot or engage in a semi-bluff, enhancing their chances of hitting a strong hand on later streets. If they hold KcQc and are last to act after the flop of 9c9dTc, checking to them opens a betting opportunity where they could wager 50-60% of the pot, representing a strong hand. If opponents fold, that's ideal; if they call, they might still improve their hand.

There's a classic saying in sports: 'Winners never quit, and quitters never win.' While it serves as positive motivation, many vulnerable poker players cling to their hands, unwilling to accept defeat. They must practice the crucial skill of folding when they are indeed behind.

Consider a scenario where they have a stack of $300 in a $1/2 game and start with AhAc in late position. After a few players call the big blind, they raise to $12 and get a couple of callers. The flop brings Ks9s2c. After the action checks to them, they bet $25, with one opponent responding with a call. Then, the turn shows the 2s, and their opponent bets $60. Although they hesitate to fold, believing their opponent might be bluffing, they ultimately call.

Here are two examples of that.

1. This decision is almost always a mistake. Unless the opponent is wildly aggressive or knows them to be excessively tight, why would they make a $60 bet on the turn if they hadn't connected with a strong hand? A better move would be to recognize that while they may have been ahead pre-flop with AA, the situation has now changed, and they are likely trailing. With only two outs to improve, they should
   
   In another case, they find themselves at a $1/2 game with an effective stack of $150, holding AhKh in mid-position. After raising to $10, they face a call and then a 3-bet to $30 by the button and a subsequent 4-bet to $75 from the big blind. Given the generally tame nature of the game, they call, thinking their AhKh is among the top three hands possible. flush , trips , or a full house However, this call is equally a significant misstep. While Ace-King suited ranks high among pre-flop hands, in this context, it's quite vulnerable against an opponent's hand. Even if the initial raiser and 3-bettor possess lower pairs than Kings, the chances of them all having such hands are low. Plus, one of the players may be holding an Ace or a King, limiting options for the AK hand. Considering the small potential stack available after the flop if they do connect makes it advisable to fold in this situation. fold .


2. Numerous other mistakes can plague inexperienced players, but focusing on rectifying the ones mentioned could significantly enhance their game. Hold’em .
   
   Ashley Adams has been successfully engaging in casino poker since 1993 and has been writing about it since 2000. He has penned over 1,000 articles on poker and authored three poker strategy books: Winning 7-Card Stud (Kensington 2003), Winning No Limit Hold'em (Lighthouse 2012), and Winning Poker in 30 Minutes a Day (D&B Poker, 2020). He is also the host of the poker radio show House of Cards.
   
   3. They Struggle to Let Go When They Are Likely Behind

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