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
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 Process of Learning in Poker
Because there is no set way to study poker and the game’s variance makes it difficult to measure your progress, learning more about poker can be frustrating. But if you examine a single element of the game in multiple hands, you will accelerate your learning process and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
The Newbie Circle of Death
I just went through a maddening circle that wasted 3 weeks of my hard work, and nearly washed my entire bankroll down the drain... Hopefully I can give a little insight to prevent someone from going through the same thing... Just a side note, I play the 6 max 25 or...
No Deposit Poker Bonuses
Almost every poker site going offers some form of meaty deposit bonus. Invest a chunk of money into a site and they’ll give you the chance to earn some extra cash. However, budding players with small bankrolls may feel that they can’t take full advantage of these...
Please Stop Paying Off Loose/Passives at the Poker Tables
Having the faith to lay down hands when facing aggression from loose/passive players requires a strong understanding of why you can fold.
In the Trenches: Winning at Low-Limit Poker
Low-limit, people say, is too difficult, because novice players will move all-in at the drop of a hat, or make ridiculous calls in obvious folding situations. They’re playing for pennies, not pride, and their decisions fall into the “What the hell, let’s gamble” category more often than veteran players would like. While these things can be frustrating, they’re a part of the game. Besides, a truly skilled player should be able to win at all levels, regardless of the competition.
The Delicate Nature of Pot Odds and Implied Odds
We have the three major weaknesses that players have when dealing with pot odds and implied odds, but we’ll also show you how to correct them.
Pointers for Micro Stakes No Limit Holdem
(This is a post I wrote a while back which I hope will be useful for newcomers to micro-stakes NL. It should be useful up to 25NL, but it's specifically aimed at the player of a few weeks' experience, who understands the basics, but doesn't know much strategy. I hope...
Tactical Thinking – Is It Enough?
Wherever you go these days, be it on poker forums, poker websites or poker magazines, you will be confronted by a myriad of information concerning how to play certain hands in certain situations. Now before I go any further, there is absolutely nothing wrong with...
Implied Odds Plays at 25NL and Below
Over the past twelve months, I have been observing the lower stakes no-limit games and playing in them quite extensively including around 100k hands at NL50. I have been observing the games on Pokerloco recently which is a site that is situated on Ongame. I have been...
NLHE Foundations #02: Basic No-Limit Hold’em Bluffing Analysis
NLHE Foundations Course This is the second lesson in the free No-Limit Hold'em foundations course, and all you have to do to sign up is create an account (if you haven't already) and post in the forum thread I just linked to saying you want in. I'll add you to a...
Practical Game Theory in Poker (Part 1): Attack and Defense
Attack and defense in game theory mean somewhat different things than what you might initially think about in poker.
Mindfulness and the Manifestation of Mental Weakness in Poker
Entering poker games alert and with the right attitude can improve your game-play and bring you success. Learn how to reduce distractions and employ the proper level of mindfulness. Eventually, your good habits will spill over into other areas of your life.
Tactics vs. Strategy (Part 4): Practical Use of Strategy
In our final installment of this series, we look at how strategic and tactics are related and other resources for continuing your study.
Texas Hold em Poker Hands Position (6 Max)
Online poker has blown up in the past decade. It has become the favorite past time of many people around the world. With the software online poker sites use, tables can be created at no extra cost. This means that online poker sites do not require all tables to be...
