Syndi N Poker: TEXAS "Holdem" STYLE

There are several different mistakes that are commonly made when playing online poker. This is the list that I have come up with thus far...

1. Distractions - Getting distracted while playing poker can be detrimental to your game.

• Since you are playing from the comfort of your own home, there can be distractions such as the TV noise, kids, phone, laundry, or whatever else goes on in your day to day life. The best thing to remember when getting online to play is to try to play when there is minimal to no noise/interruptions in your surroundings. I realize this can be hard for some of you. Perhaps wait until all children have gone to bed, then turn all the TV's and phones in the house off. That always helps me! :P
• Since you are a beginner... you might want to only play one game at a time. I know that you might think you will make more money if you play more than one table at a time. In actuality, you might loose more because you can't pay close enough attention to the action on both tables to play efficiently. At least keep this in mind if you are a beginner. Once you have been playing for a good bit you can try to do more than one table. I personally do better when I play one table at a time. Keep the focus on one table!

2. Talking to much - This is more than likely the hardest to overcome. Why do you ask? Well, that is simple. We tend to feel that since we are online that we should talk/chat it up with everyone around. That is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to online poker play.

• To start with, the more you talk the more the opponents are learning about you. The more that they learn about you... the more they can see your personality. Once they start to see your true personality... guess what that means?

• It gives them a tell to follow. This is where the psychology comes into play and being able to read people. Since you can't see them or their behavior, you have to look at what they say and how they say it. Best thing to do is NOT TALK/CHAT! Which brings me to my next point.

3. Being Noticed - What do I mean by being notice? Let's see... Making everyone at the table aware of your presence. How are you doing this? Making enemies is one way. You start chatting it up with some idiot on your table. You are not particularly shy about what you think of his playing skills. Perhaps he made some bad calls or whatever your reason is for calling him out. How does doing this cause you to make mistakes?

• For one, it puts a big target on your back. Everyone is now more or less "gunning" for you. Why are they gunning for you? Simply because you are the big nuisance at the table who everyone wishes would just shut up. What happens to targets? They get shot at! That's right. Now everyone wants you gone from the table.
  
• Which brings me to the next thing... this takes all the power away from you. This means more calls when you bet it big, less bluffing opportunities, and all eyes are on you. Nothing like that big bulls eye on your back, huh?
• Finally, what it all comes down to is the play. Now all the other players at the table are not playing for your chips any longer they are playing AGAINST YOU!

A low profile is the way to go here. This way you can mix up your play and no one would be the wiser. If you come across that one idiot (and we all do), just make all your comments about him out loud. Call him every name in the book if you like. Just don't share that with the table by actually typing it.

4. Making use if the "Auto Play" buttons - These are those buttons that are there really for the purpose of speeding up the action. You can pre-select if you want to call, check, fold, etc... Although they are there to speed up the play, they also do much more. They can be used by the more experienced players as tells. How can they be used this way? Well, depending upon the amount of time it takes you to play your hand out. Here are some examples of what most people think when they are playing online and are waiting for the responses from the other opponents.

• A quick check (used the auto play button) = weakness
• A quick call (used the auto play button) = possible on a draw or trapping
• Quick bet/raise on turn or river = strength
• A delay check/call = depends on the player, lol (gotta pay attention to the player)

5. Showing of your cards - This is something a beginner should NEVER do. Here are some reasons why you DON'T show:

• Leads to having enemies
• Makes you come off as cocky and/or being rude
• Tells your betting patterns

Here are just a few of the this that I was able to come up with tonight. Hope this helps. If anyone thinks of anything that I might have forgotten... please let me know and I will be happy to add to this. Thanks for reading and see you next time! :P