Stop making these mistakes in live poker

Playing poker is a hobby that many Finns love. Many people have their own poker circles, which are also a good excuse to meet friends and "throw down", so to speak. Many, in turn, play online from time to time or very actively. Poker is an interesting combination of skill, strategy, excitement and luck, which explains why it continues to be so popular year after year. Padel players and Pokémon come and go, but poker is and always will be.

Too aggressive or passive a style of play

Live poker has become a popular form of the game over the last 5 years. It is a form of the game played in real time over the internet, often with players from all over the world able to join the table. A popular Finnish casino also offers live casino games to Finnish players.

In live poker, players often make mistakes that can lead to big losses. One common mistake is an overly aggressive playing style. Players may believe that winning the game requires constant betting, which can lead to situations where their hands are not strong enough and players lose large amounts of money.

On the other hand, an overly passive style of play is also a mistake, where players do not make enough use of their strong hands and lose their chances of winning. So it takes skill to know when to bet and when to fold. That skill only comes from practising, playing and learning about the odds.

Focusing only on your own game

One common mistake in live poker is not paying attention to the playing styles of your opponents. This is often due to players focusing too much on their own play rather than being interested in what their opponents are doing. Observing your opponents' playing styles can help you make better decisions and win bigger. You can't win big tournaments if you neglect this aspect of the game.

Another common mistake is making decisions too quickly. When players are nervous, they may make decisions too quickly, which can lead to mistakes. The key is to take the time to make thoughtful decisions, giving you the opportunity to find the best course of play for your cards. Even if you feel that other players are distracted by your reflection time, you have the right to do so and there is no point in rushing into decisions.

False bluffing and the difficulty of quitting

Playing poker is a complex game that requires skill, strategy and thoughtful decision-making from the player. One common mistake many poker players make is bluffing too much. Many players want to show other players a strong hand, even if their hand is not strong enough. This can eventually lead to defeat when the bluff is no longer believed.

Another common mistake is to play too many hands. Beginners usually tend to play almost every hand they get two cards for. This often leads to them having only weak hands and other players can easily get rid of them. Players with more experience know that they should only play hands that are more likely to win.

One common mistake that many players know is the difficulty of quitting. When players lose money, they often try to win back the money they lost in the game. This can lead to rash decisions and even bigger losses. The key is to stay calm and quit the game if you feel that today is not your day. Or on the other hand, if you are winning big, your good luck is unlikely to continue indefinitely and a wise player will know when to quit. Cards cannot be predicted, as they are also based on randomness.

Players with enough experience should be able to identify weak hands and know when it is the right time to give up. Too many players hold on to a weak hand for too long, thinking that "the next card is bound to be good". But often the next card takes them even deeper into the swamp.

Lack of understanding of your own playing budget

Players can also make mistakes with high stakes. While high stakes in live poker have the potential to win large sums of money, the high risk involved in playing big bets can lead to losses and the end of the game if you don't have enough money behind you. It is therefore important that players are aware of their own playing budget and play accordingly. It is a good idea to think about what stakes you are prepared to play for and how much money you have available before you start playing.

Live poker players also often make the mistake of not being prepared to change the way they play. Every tournament game is different and players have to adapt to the game's situations and opponents. If a player continues to play the same way even when it's not working, they are likely to lose more money. Even Albert Einstein once knew that "Insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result."

Playing with emotion

One typical mistake that is made in live poker is to play on emotion instead of probabilities. Unfortunately, playing emotionally usually leads to defeat, as the player is unable to make objective decisions. Too many poker players hold on to a weak hand because they want to win the round at all costs. But this is often just self-deception and can lead to defeat.

The importance of understanding probabilities cannot be overemphasised:

- Poker is a game that cannot be won without an understanding of probabilities (at least in high-end tournaments).

- Every player must understand that this game is based on the ability to understand the probabilities and assess their own chances of winning.

- Winning requires thinking based on mathematics, not emotion.

- Poker is fundamentally about probabilities and mathematics, not feelings and intuition.

While poker is entertaining and fun, it can also lose you a lot of money if you don't play smart or are careless. The key is to play your own game, be aware of your opponents and keep your emotions in check. Also, don't risk your entire bankroll with one bad all-in decision.

There is a lot of literature on poker and there are also online tutorial sites, both paid and free. These can be very useful if you are interested in getting to know the game more deeply and making more informed decisions in different hands.