Poker Strategy: Beginner Poker
Basic strategy concepts to teach new players how to play poker.
Whether you’re new to poker, a beginner player looking to sharpen your skills, or just new to FlopTurnRiver.com, this beginner’s section will get you acquainted with all of the above. Poker is different from other forms of casino gambling games because you play against the other players, not the house. The house takes a rake out of every pot, and that’s how they make their money. They couldn’t care less how each player plays their hand or how much each player wins or loses. Out of this unique structure, strategy is born. If you make fewer mistakes than your opponents, over the long run, you will make money. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re new, everything may seem overwhelming. But the best way to approach becoming a poker shark is to take it one step and one hand at a time. Browse all of our beginner poker strategy articles below, or signup for our poker forum and introduce yourself in the Beginners Circle. There are many winning players who are willing to give you advice to help plug your leaks and improve your game. Poker is a game of skill, anyone can get lucky in one hand or session. But it takes the people who become students of the game to become a consistent winner. Start your poker education now!
Featured Beginner Poker Articles
Most Recent Beginner Poker Articles
NLHE Foundations #03: Calling to Close the Action in No-Limit Hold’em
This is the third installment in the No-Limit Hold'em Foundations Course. Before you read this lesson, you should have completed lesson 1 and lesson 2, and this includes doing the exercises and posting them in the forum threads for each lesson. Also make sure to sign...
Back to Basics (Part 6): True Equity
The money bucket model allows you to understand the four different forms of equity that we’re going to cover here with instructive examples.
Freeroll Finesse
Freeroll tournaments are a fine way to increase your bankroll without risking any of your funds. Many players play too loosely and crazily in these events, but you should resist the temptation to do so yourself. Make sure that the prizes offered are sufficient to interest you.
Bluffing on the flop in low-stakes limit
One of the hallmarks of a good solid reg is the ability to be precise with bluffing at all stages of the hand. In heads up and three way situations precise bluffing can significantly add to a player’s bottom line. You need to be on the lookout for opportunities...
Don’t Be a Poker Pansy
"Don't be a Poker Pansy." Apparently you can't make a post in the Beginner's Forum without attaching some cheesy phrase to it. That's probably because most beginners are slow thinkers and incapable of comprehending anything beyond basic ABC poker... Ok, that's not...
Brush Up Your Semi-Bluff, and Bring Home the Bacon
Knowing how and when to semi-bluff can increase your poker winnings. The advantages of semi-bluffing include you being able to control the pot, force your opponents to fold, slow the action and win big pots. With so many benefits, semi-bluffing needs to be incorporated into your playing regime!
The $6,000,000 Poker Player
There is a growing debate in today’s poker world over who is the best player around. Many names get offered as the best of the best but there is truly no way to know who the best Texas Hold’em player in the world is. As the game of poker has grown...
Low-Hanging Fruit for Newbies in No-Limit Hold’em
We want to help you to boost your win-rates by fixing the six most common mistakes we see with new players by looking at their stats and hands.
Adjusting to PokerStars Buy-in Levels
Recently the world's largest poker site, PokerStars, announced the way they were handling the minimum/maximum buy-in amounts at their cash game tables. This mainly affects NL/PL Hold'em as well as Pot-Limit Omaha games as shallow/deep stacks in limit games means next...
Essential Examples of Blockers in Poker
A good place to start working with ranges is looking at blockers, why they matter, how they work and what you can do with them.
How to Make Actual Adjustments While Playing
Talking about making adjustments to your play is easier than actually making them at the table. Read through this example of how to make an adjustment to learn how to pull them off when you’re playing. Studying examples of successful adjustments will help you learn to execute them under pressure.
Semi-Bluffing Examples to Build Your Intuition
Semi-bluffing can be an important part of your game, but many players have difficulty understanding how their EV increases just by having outs to the nuts before the river. This article examines examples which demonstrate the inherent value of semi-bluffing for new and experienced players alike.
Dumb People Believe in Downswings
A funny look at the mythic term, “downswings,” this article debunks the existence of players being on downswings or upswings. The logic? Since every hand dealt in poker is independent of all others, you cannot up-or-downswing; you can only have an historical period of increased losses or winnings.
Online Poker Multi-Tabling Strategy
When is a good time to start Multi-Tabling? Playing multiple tables has pretty much become the norm for online poker players. Actually, it's a necessity for serious players looking to build up a bankroll or wanting to earn some regular extra spending cash. This is...
Practice makes Perfect
Practice makes Perfect. It's something we've all heard a million times. It's meaning is obvious! What could I possibly have to add to this catchy, well-informed nugget!? Well, I have a secret: Practice does not make Perfect. Rather, Perfect practice makes for the best...
