1. The prime rule in poker is: Don't try to beat the other players; let them try to beat you. This isn't just an introductory sentence; it is probably more important than all the tips and hints that follow. Do yourself a favor by memorizing it.
2. Be sure you know the rules of the game. The player who knows the rules has a decided advantage in any game against players who are vague about them.
3. A player who knows the poker probabilities of drawing and improving hands has a decided edge over the player who thinks he knows. But don't become a slave to poker probabilities. They are probabilities, not laws; and they do not supply a surefire recipe for winning.
4. Observe your opponents; learn their poker mannerisms. Are they loose or tight players? And avoid giveaway mannerisms of your own.
5. Play as often as possible; experience is the best teacher.
6. Always remember that in a poker game the average hand becomes less valuable the more players there are.
7. Treat every round of betting as if it were the first. Forget the previous betting rounds and the money you have contributed to the pot.
8. When you hold a cinch hand, wait until the last round to raise.
9. Fold a doubtful hand at the start rather than in the middle or at the end.
10. Call your opponent or opponents when you believe your hand is good enough to win, not merely because you expect a bluff.
11. As a general rule, don't try to steal a pot by trying to bluff a poor player, a heavy winner or a heavy loser.
12. When you're in a losing streak, don't let yourself get panicky. The more reckless you feel, the wiser it is to get away from the table at once. A player plunging to recoup losses or an excited player is a poker player at his worst.
13. You must expect to lose the pot unless you believe you have the best hand going in.
14. Most draw poker players would win instead of lose if they never tried to outdraw the opener.
15. Bet your big hands to the hilt and make every active player pay to see your hand.
16. Vary your playing strategy. The player whose game is always the same becomes an easy mark for smart poker players.
17. Try to keep a poker face. Don't complain when losing or show elation when winning. The emotional aftermath will prohibit clear thinking and proper evaluation of succeeding hands.
18. Try to sit with your back to the wall and try to avoid kibitzers who watch your hand. Many good hands are tipped off by onlookers who don't keep poker faces.
19. Trust no one at poker; it is a game for blood. If you want to play a good game you must forget friendship and bet your hand for what it's worth. Top-money winners do.
20. When you play poker, give the game all you've got or get out. That is not only the best way to win at poker; it's the only way you and the rest of the players can get any fun out of what ought to be fun.
http://pokermag.com/managearticle.asp?c=40&a=64
2. Be sure you know the rules of the game. The player who knows the rules has a decided advantage in any game against players who are vague about them.
3. A player who knows the poker probabilities of drawing and improving hands has a decided edge over the player who thinks he knows. But don't become a slave to poker probabilities. They are probabilities, not laws; and they do not supply a surefire recipe for winning.
4. Observe your opponents; learn their poker mannerisms. Are they loose or tight players? And avoid giveaway mannerisms of your own.
5. Play as often as possible; experience is the best teacher.
6. Always remember that in a poker game the average hand becomes less valuable the more players there are.
7. Treat every round of betting as if it were the first. Forget the previous betting rounds and the money you have contributed to the pot.
8. When you hold a cinch hand, wait until the last round to raise.
9. Fold a doubtful hand at the start rather than in the middle or at the end.
10. Call your opponent or opponents when you believe your hand is good enough to win, not merely because you expect a bluff.
11. As a general rule, don't try to steal a pot by trying to bluff a poor player, a heavy winner or a heavy loser.
12. When you're in a losing streak, don't let yourself get panicky. The more reckless you feel, the wiser it is to get away from the table at once. A player plunging to recoup losses or an excited player is a poker player at his worst.
13. You must expect to lose the pot unless you believe you have the best hand going in.
14. Most draw poker players would win instead of lose if they never tried to outdraw the opener.
15. Bet your big hands to the hilt and make every active player pay to see your hand.
16. Vary your playing strategy. The player whose game is always the same becomes an easy mark for smart poker players.
17. Try to keep a poker face. Don't complain when losing or show elation when winning. The emotional aftermath will prohibit clear thinking and proper evaluation of succeeding hands.
18. Try to sit with your back to the wall and try to avoid kibitzers who watch your hand. Many good hands are tipped off by onlookers who don't keep poker faces.
19. Trust no one at poker; it is a game for blood. If you want to play a good game you must forget friendship and bet your hand for what it's worth. Top-money winners do.
20. When you play poker, give the game all you've got or get out. That is not only the best way to win at poker; it's the only way you and the rest of the players can get any fun out of what ought to be fun.
http://pokermag.com/managearticle.asp?c=40&a=64
