Common Poker Beginner Mistakes

History repeats itself, they say. And that's true for poker as for everything else in life. You see people making the same mistakes over and over. The wheel of karma, they say. But before we get mystical, let's look at the most common beginner mistakes in poker. Save yourself the trouble and avoid these.

Common Poker Beginner Mistakes

Not Folding Enough Hands - This is the single worst mistake beginners make, and unfortunately it is also the most common. Most poker hands simply are NOT good hands to play. Stick to high pairs and high suited pairs when you're starting out. Oh, sure, there will be times when you folded that 2-7 of spades only to find there's a spade flush on the river. But poker isn't about winning just one game; it's the long term battle you should set your mind on.

Calling Instead of Raising - Beginners are often timid. Be aggressive. If you find yourself always having to call someone else, turn the tables. Raise or re-raise. If your hand is worth calling, it must be worth raising. Don't let others dictate on the table.

Being Too Clever - Beginners to poker hear all this hype about bluffing and decide to bluff "just because" that's poker. Or is it? Bluffing is only for certain situations and it doesn't work if you do it too often. Also, bluffing can only be done by certain player types. If you're a loose player, your bluffs won't work because everyone knows you play low hands!

Not Checking the Table Limits - This has got to be the most costly mistake you can make. It's easy for you to do this when you play online and there are hundreds of poker rooms to choose from on a list. You might click on the wrong room not knowing the limits are $100-$200 when you're looking for a $5-$10 table. Woosh! Your hard-earned bankroll is gone in a flash.

Not Using a Four-Color Deck - Tradition isn't always a good thing. Why should there be only two colors - red and black - when there can be four? After playing 50 hands, trust us, you'll misread your hands. You might think you have a K-Q suited diamonds when in fact one of them is a hearts card. Avoid this mistake by selecting a four-color deck in your poker software. Some brick and mortar casinos also use four-color decks.

Not Stopping When on Tilt - Tilt happens to every gambler, not just a poker player. It's when you're so upset over your loss(es) that it adversely affects your game. Frequently too, you over-bet. When you find yourself impatiently waiting for the next hand, playing looser, or betting more than you normally do, these are sure signs of a tilt. Get a grip on yourself or, if you can't, take a break and play slots.

Not Budgeting a Bankroll - Your bankroll is your poker career's lifeblood. It is also what sustains all your gambling activities. Plan your bankroll. Decide how much of your earnings you are going to put into your bankroll, what your target profits are and what your loss limits are.