Poker is one of those games that seems to have exploded in popularity over the last decade or so. Back in the heyday of the Moneymaker boom, there were maybe a handful of forums worth visiting, and a few pieces of poker software you could download. Now, there’s a seemingly endless number of forums and Discord channels to join, and hundreds of poker programs you can use to train, learn, or tweak various aspects of your game.
It’s a game that requires constant attention and concentration. Being able to watch and recognize your opponents’ tells, changes in behavior, and body language is crucial. Being able to pay close attention to these details can help you make better decisions at the table.
Being able to calculate pot odds and percentages on the fly is also crucial. Having good poker math skills can help you win more hands, and they’ll become more ingrained in your brain as you play more and study the game. This can make you a more confident player and give you a leg up against the sharks that proliferate most online tables.
It’s also important to know when to fold. Trying to chase bad draws or holding onto a weak hand that you know is unlikely to improve will end up costing you in the long run. It’s important to be able to recognise these situations and be able to fold without feeling any regret in the short term.