While seeking ways to improve your winning chances, falling prey to myths that masquerade as strategies is easy. Some believe they need to be maths experts to win at poker. Others believe they have the best chances when playing at night.
As a new player, the best thing you can do is to distinguish myths from actual strategies.
#1 Luck is Everything
Some new players wave off skills and strategy, believing that the only thing they need to win a poker game is luck. The fact that casino games rely heavily on chance reinforces this myth. However, such beliefs can put a player on a losing streak when playing with more experienced players.
Debunking the Myth
No one controls card shuffling and dealing. For online poker, casinos use automatic card shufflers to ensure fairness. We agree that this aspect is entirely up to chance, but the rest of the gameplay, in part, depends on player decisions.
If you are playing against a random number generator, there is really little you can do. The absence of the human element means that specific strategies, like pressing when a player shows weakness, won’t work. For such games (in the table game section), luck is everything.
Live poker sessions at RollXO are a different story. Because other players are involved, you can gauge your opponent’s gameplay and adjust your strategy.
Besides playing your cards, you also need to display strength to avoid getting run over by other players. You should know when to double down, split, or fold. These decisions can improve your winning chances and give you an advantage over other players.
With live poker, having the strongest hand is not the only thing you need to win. You should be able to stay in the game long enough to show your hand without folding.
#2 It’s Easier to Win in High Stakes Poker
This myth sounds appealing because of two things. First, it assumes that those in high-stakes poker are more rational and less likely to take risks. Because of that, the players easily fold when you raise the bet or double down.
The second thing about this myth is that more experienced players are more comfortable losing the game. Hence, you will have a less tense atmosphere that lets you think through your decisions.
Debunking the Myth
Raising your bet to high-stakes poker can bring more substantial results when you win. However, there’s no guarantee that the players will fold easily or be less tense.
If you are not good at low-stakes poker, you won’t be good at the high-stakes variant. On the contrary, you will lose a lot more playing with experienced players.
Play at poker tables that fit your budget. There is no need to jump to the high-stakes table when you don’t have sufficient funding to stay calm. Yet, it’s still true that poker requires a budget. You should have the freedom to vary your betting strategy. So, if you only have $10 or so, it’s best to spend it on A Dazzling Slot Adventure by Relax Gaming or another cool title with a small minimal bet.
#3 Professional Poker Players Always Win
This myth focuses on skills and strategies as the prerequisites to becoming unbeatable in poker. It downplays the importance of luck in winning the game.
Debunking the Myth
You should strive to be a professional or good poker player. By that, we mean learning skills and strategies and analyzing your mistakes to improve them.
Poker is a dynamic game. Even the best players have had their fair share of bad days and losses. Our recommendation is to balance the need for skills with luck.
Be quick to adapt to the game table. Learn and grow from your losses. Focus on continuous improvement, but recognize the role of luck.
#4 Reading Your Opponents Is the Key to Win
Those used to this myth find it difficult to adapt to online poker. Hence, such players believe they can never win an online poker game because they can’t see other players.
Debunking the Myth
Reading your opponent can help, but other skills and strategies have dwarfed its relevance. You don’t have to look at people’s expressions to win poker. Players are still winning online poker without reading their opponents.
If you need to read your opponent to win online poker, it may be time to improve your skills and strategies.
#5 Play Poker Only When You Are on a Winning Streak
This myth recommends that you only play poker if you are winning in other games. It adopts the hot and cold period school of thought.
Debunking the Myth
You may be lucky for this myth to work. However, that does not mean it is always true. You can win in other games and still lose in poker.
The best approach is to play prudently with your finances. Improve your skills, try different poker variants to learn more about the game, and be ready to adapt.
Final Thoughts
Bank on luck as much as you bank on skills and strategies. We also advise that you use demo poker to learn as much as possible about the game before putting in real money.