Common Mistakes in Texas Hold Em

 

Texas Hold Em is one of the most popular poker games in the world. Easy to learn yet extremely difficult to master, Hold Em poker has something to offer to players of all skill levels. Unfortunately, those who do not know the game well often find themselves losing on a regular basis early on in their careers. The fact is, Hold Em is deceiving in how easy it is to learn, as there are many common mistakes made by inexperienced players that can easily cost them the game.

Here are some of the most common mistakes in Texas Hold Em.

Going "All In"

For new players, the prospect of going "all-in" on a bet can be really exciting. After all, winning on a matched "all-in" bet can double or even triple one's winnings. That said, going "all-in" on a regular basis is not a wise playing strategy, and almost always results in a series of losses. One of the worst ideas one can make is to go "all-in" on a bluff, another common mistake made by newer players. While this does occasionally work, more often than not it ends in a huge loss, and should never be made common practice.

Betting on a Pair

It is common for people who are new to Hold Em to bet on pairs. The fact is, a pair is one of the weakest hands in the game, and won't hold a candle to any decent hand that it compared with. Throwing a pair down should be a last resort, and one should never go overboard betting on it. Chances are, the only hand a pair will beat is another, lower pair or a bunk hand. When betting on pairs, remember to go easy and not to overstep your boundaries.

Betting on an Ace

Another common mistake made by those who are new to the game of Hold Em is betting significantly just because they have an ace in their hand. Many people bet high and early on aces, simply because they feel as if they will get another ace at some point in the hand. This is not a safe way to play the game, as the statistics are not usually in one's favor, and chances are that at least one other person has an ace as well, rendering one's hand practically useless. While having an ace up your sleeve can be extremely useful, it is wise not to bet the bank at the beginning of a hand.

Bluffing

Without a doubt, bluffing is part of the game. However, many new players view bluffing as being perhaps too much a part of the game, and find themselves bluffing on a regular basis. Bluffing should be reserved for special scenarios, and should not be overdone, as it can lend one a reputation as a bluffer. One of the last things you want an opinion to know is that you like to cry wolf, which is why bluffing should only be used sporadically.