If you are new to poker then there are some basic skills you can start with to get some wins behind you. Read my poker terms glossary to find out what the terms used below mean.

First, playing quality cards only is a good starting rule.
Pocket pairs, Aces with high kickers, and suited connectors are a good start.

As you become more comfortable, then you can expand the hands you play to suit different circumstances and opposing players

Next, learning how to bet is essential.
Generally limping into a hand, this is where there is no raise when you bet, is a good start.

This can help you in a couple ways. It does not allow other players a “tell” (meaning you give away an indication of what your hand might be) and it also allows you to play, and not put too much of your chip stack in play.

Now, there are times you need to call a raise, or make one yourself.
If you have a killer hand like a pocket pair, learn how to raise and call. Don’t limp in!.

This will greatly reduce your chances of a winning hand. The more cards out, the greater the chances of straights, flushes, or even higher winning hands become.

Now when you make a raise, the general rule is too bet the pot amount, this is the total amount on the table when the betting comes to you.

Depending on the amount of players and the chip stack you have, can change all of this. If you have a very good hand, and a pot bet would put more then 50% of your total stack in play, then it is better to go All-In. This will also help in keeping weaker hands from calling.

It is important for new players to pay attention at the table too.
One of the biggest and most important part of playing poker is watching and paying attention to the other players. Poker tournaments are great for this as you can sit and observe for the first couple of table rounds without it costing you too many chips.

A great tip for leaning how to be a great poker player is by reading. Many great players are happy to offer their tips and advice on their poker play, so its worth reading as many articles as you can to keep your knowledge polished. Its also worth playing on free poker sites which will help you study other players techniques at no cost to yourself.

Why? Well, many poker players feel that bluffing is immoral. Historically, bluffing has been a part of poker since its inception and adds a psychological component to poker that makes it more interesting and complex. Bluffing in poker has been around since the inception of the game several hundred years ago.

Bluffing is multi-faceted and has many strategies. The most obvious purpose it to win the pot at hand. Aside from greed, there is also another purpose for bluffing that is more strategic. One strategy for bluffing is to bluff and get caught. Once other players know that you are a “bluffer”, they will be more likely to call your bets in the future. This strategy will lead to getter gains when you are in a winning hand.

Bluffing is an advertisement that you are not a conservative, tight player who will only play premium cards and bet with a winning hand. Giving your self the moniker of being a loose, bluffing player will create a more competitive atmosphere at the table resulting in more calls when you are involved in a hand. After all, who doesn’t want to beat the table “donk”.

A strategy for when and how to bluff in casino tournaments and free poker online is also important and needs to be strategic and planned. Bluffing a hand needs to be planned in advance. Being in the proper position, reading the other players bets, and being aware that a big hand is not being raised prior to your bet is critical. Imagining the cards that you want to be represented when you play will help with the bluff process. Playing the hand the way you would with premium cards will lead your opponents to believe you hold the cards you are representing. Planning and consistency is important in a bluff to deter a good player from spotting your bluff.

Whether you win or lose you bluff is not important. If you win a big pot with a bluff then you have succeeded. However, if you lose the bluff then you have gained a reputation that will serve you well in future hands. Use this reputation to your advantage when you are in a winning hand and your rewards will be great.

I look forward to playing you at the free poker tournament tables, whether you are bluffing or not!

Here are 4 of my “top free poker pro tips” things you need to take with a very large (ocean sized) pinch of salt!

Picking up “tells” on players and acting accordingly.
Good poker players can switch style’s as easy as they switch persona’s.

Go for 1st or go home!
There is nothing wrong with just trying to make the money.

Mix it up often so as to not let on your style of poker play.
It is true but can be misleading.

Bet/call 3x plus or don’t bother playing.
Good advice but again misleading.

Play a lot of free poker games and get good before you start to throw money about, then the pros tips may be more meaningful.

My observation is that female poker players tend to be a little more careful than male players. Men are often more aggressive, take more risks and chase larger pots.

Another observation is that it can be easier to push a woman off of a pot than a male player.

Before anyone gets angry I’m not taking anything away from the female game,  I just feel that women tend to play a more conservative  and this can also be an advantage.

Men often jump the gun, they try to force hands that aren’t meant to be, go all-in too much. In contrast women often play a more sensible game even in free poker games with a more strategic objective as opposed to an all-in and hope mentality.

Continue the debate at http://freepokergames.ning.com/profiles/blogs/are-men-better-free-poker

We have all been there, a few too many drinks and playing poker seems like a good idea.  Drink makes the vast majority of us have a false sense of confidence.  Chances are, you will regret it in the morning, especially if your pocket is a few pounds lighter than it was the night before.  Go ahead and play for low stakes at home with your pals, you will have a great night, but don’t jump online and gamble away all of your months wages.

2. Is It Really All About Bluffing?

You might have a really rubbish hand and you think you need to bluff to win some money.  But, go within your limits.  If a player always calls right to the end, then don’t waste your time bluffing, you are very likely to lose the hand.  If you do want to have a go at bluffing, then aim for the tight players who are more likely to only play their best hands.

3. Don’t Play at too High Limits

Until you know what you are doing, then don’t play a higher limit game.  Only start playing at a higher limit when you ready to move up and feel experienced enough to do so.  Remember, don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose.  Try playing some low limit games or, better still, some free poker games to build up your experience before moving on to serious money.

4. Pay Attention to the Cards on the Table

It might seem like common sense, but paying attention to the cards on the table is very important when playing poker.  When you first start playing you will be concentrating on your own hand, but before long you will learn how to keep an eye out for all possibilities of a flush or straight.  Look at what cards are showing and what others have folded.

5. Don’t Stay in a Hand Just Because You’re Already In It

Nearly all new players play far too many hands.  Do not try to force an average hand, if you know you are going to lose, then fold and get out before you lose too much hard earned cash.  There is no point in putting money in the pot if you are certain your hand isn’t good enough.  Save your cash and hold out for that good hand, you will get one!

Finally, the most important point of all to becoming a good poker player and making some serious cash, is that practice makes perfect.  Play free poker games to build up your skill before parting with your own money.