How to quickly improve as a poker player

Poker is a game for everyone, and it’s a game that anyone can pick up and learn. Its simple rules mean people of any skill level can pick up the game and start playing. Whether it's somethingThere are occasions when we here at ReadyBetGo want to bring you interesting facts about the gambling industry  When something catches our eye, we will publish it for your enjoyment. 
  you want to just play socially or it's something you're looking to take into professional tournaments, it’s something you can do once you've learned the basics. 

It’s a game you can either play with friends or more seriously, depending on how you want to play, which is something not every game offers. With poker also being available to play online at any time and any place, there’s never been a better time to start playing poker. However, for newer players, it can be a daunting task taking their first steps into online poker, unsure where to start or even just worried about coming up against players better than them. Well in this article we’ll be taking a look at how to quickly improve as a poker player and what you can do to take your game to the next level.

Learn the basics before starting

It sounds obvious; however, you’d be surprised at how many people simply jump into a game without first learning how it works or the rules and just go in blind. It’s a good idea to fully learn the basics of the game before playing your first game, as if you don’t, you’ll likely put yourself at a disadvantage with the other players knowing how the game works, and you’ll likely be making mistakes and giving the other players a free game.

Take some time to research the rules of the game, watch videos and understand how the game flows and what the basic rules are, only then should you be playing your first game. A great way to learn how the game plays is by playing a demo of the game, with a number of websites offering a free demo for you to play, meaning you can learn the rules of the game without having to spend any money. 

Realise the mistakes you’re making

The best players in the world are often the hardest on themselves, criticising every single aspect of their own gameplay. If you’re looking to improve, you first need to understand where you’re going wrong and what you can do better. A great way to do this would be to watch games back you’ve played in and see where you went wrong, when you made the wrong decision and why you made that call, trying to understand how you can do better next time. Keeping a track of your mistakes and noting them down can ensure you avoid repeating them in the future, this is easier to do for those playing poker online, as you’d cause a bit of a stir with a notepad and a pen in a casino.

The best way to improve is to learn when and why you make mistakes and ensure they don’t happen again. Taking this small bit of time can go a long way to ensuring you’re a better player than you were yesterday. By doing this, the next time you go to make the same play, you’ll stop and think if it’s the right move, and potentially stop yourself from making that mistake.  

Watch the best of the best

The top players are there for a reason, a great way to improve as a poker player is to watch some of the professionals and how they play. You’re able to pick up some great tips and tricks from them along the way and use these in your own games. You can compare how they play to yourself and see what they do differently compared to you, understanding why they make certain plays and when they make certain decisions. 

There are also a number of videos and audiobooks from professionals giving advice and guides for newer players, so by using these you’re getting direct feedback and information from the best players around, there really isn’t anyone better to be getting it off.

It’s not just about poker

Whilst you need to understand how the game works, you also need to be able to understand body language and be able to control yourself and remain calm. If you’re getting frustrated too easily, you’ll likely be making mistakes that could be easily avoidable. 

Take some time to understand why you get frustrated and angry whilst playing, giving yourself time to take a break if you feel yourself getting annoyed, allowing you to come back with a fresh clear head giving you the best possible chance to win.

Poker really is a game for everyone, and whilst anyone can play, if you’re looking to get better as a player, there are a number of different things you can do and steps you can take to achieve this. Take some time to both improve your knowledge of the game but also control your own emotions, and you’ll be climbing that poker ladder in no time, becoming a much better player in the process.