A Guide to Common Poker Mistakes That Cost You Chips
This follows our typical beginner mistakes lesson, where we looked at things such as playing too many hands, playing out of position, and bluffing too much. By now, you should have some playing time and poker experience, hopefully with a greater understanding of the game. This lesson will examine more classic mistakes made at the poker table. As we go through the list, be honest and acknowledge if you fall prey to chip-draining leaks.
Obsessively Defending Blinds
Many players are obsessive about defending their blinds. They allow their egos to convince them that it is wimp poker to be pushed off their blinds. Others feel that they have already made a down payment by way of the cost of blind people, so they are getting a bargain. There are also obsessive blind stealers out there. For this reason, you will hear repeatedly that it is imperative to gain knowledge about your opponents’ tendencies. Constantly defending your blinds with weak holdings is detrimental to your poker bankroll. You accomplish two significant upsides if you demonstrate the discipline to fold those weak holdings. First, you will save the chips that would have, in all likelihood, been frittered away by defending. Secondly, you will encourage the stealers to continue their attempts at theft, and they will begin to lower their stealing standards as you “train” them to recognize what a pushover you are. Then, when you do have a quality holding, you can surprise them by playing back.
Cold Calling Raises
Cold calling is calling more than one player’s raise at once. If one opponent raises and another re-raises, and you call, you are cold calling. It is a soft play that indicates timidity or a lack of discipline. Possessing either of these weak traits does not bode well for success. Generally, if your holding is not worthy of a re-raise, it should be dumped. The mindset you should begin embracing is to consider the act of calling to be the last choice of possible actions. Patience and discipline should be exercised as it will lead to selective aggression, which should translate to profits. Of course, if you’re slow-playing to set a trap with a monster hand, that would be quite different.
Over Calling
This error is similar to #2 as it is a weak play and shows a lack of discipline. Overcalling is to call a bet that a player or players to your right have already reached. The classic example is a pre-flop limp fest, and in that situation, it can be correct with a hand that plays well in a large field. A small pocket pair or suited connectors would be two examples. However, post-flop, if you have a third pair and it is bet and called in front of you, you must come to grips with the obvious: you are behind. Throw that loser in the muck and wait for a better opportunity.
Semi-Stealth-Tilt
We all know that tilt can be defined as playing poorly due to an emotional state brought on by losing in a perceived unfair manner. It is exemplified by super-aggressive play, a desperate attempt to get even or punish the player who has inflicted the pain. Emotionally grounded players don’t usually go on tilt – or at least they don’t think they do. Semi-stealth-tilt, or SST, is a more insidious form of this disorder. Semi – because it isn’t full-blown tilt but just leaning towards slant. Stealth – because it sneaks up on you in degrees so slowly that you can be tilting for hours without even realizing it. This is somewhat common to intermediate players as they have advanced to a skill level that they sometimes put their game on autopilot. So, maybe SST is not brought on by a series of losing hands but results in the same impaired or diminished judgment that classic tilt exemplifies. Make it a habit to constantly monitor your game for SST to avoid falling prey to its negative impact on your results. You must always keep your head in the game to make informed decisions.
Fancy Play Syndrome
The phrase fancy play syndrome or FPS was introduced by the prolific poker writer Mike Caro many years ago. It is still as relevant as when it was first introduced to the public. It relates to the desire to utilize the “fancy” or more complicated play rather than straightforward play primarily to be perceived by opponents as a super savvy, expert poker player. The old ego can get some players into trouble. Although much of winning poker is about deception, going out of your way to take the fancy or tricky route instead of short play is not a long-term winning strategy. A classic example of FPS earning a negative result is slow-playing less than a monster hand, allowing an opponent to draw out and beat you. Most of the time, short, solid, aggressive play is your best course of action.
Playing Small Pairs in Early Position
Since you only see a pocket pair, on average, once every sixteen hands, when one lands, it can be very seductive, especially if you’ve been forced to the sidelines by a long series of terrible hands that have gone immediately into the muck. Several problems are inherent in the play of small pairs out of position. In a full game, they rarely win in a showdown without improvement. The improvement needed is to make a set that is almost 8-to-1 against pre-flop. Sure, they can often be played in no-limit when implied odds are at work, and you’re looking to set mine, but generally – when you’re in a full game, you should exercise the discipline only to play quality hands from an early position. When the game becomes short-handed, your small pairs will soar in value.
Game Selection
Most of us have heard the old aphorism – If, after the first ten minutes at the table, you can’t spot the sucker, then it’s you. But how do you know? It would be best to start by studying your opponents to see who is or isn’t making mistakes. Hopefully, you can do this before you even sit down so that if you have a choice of seats, you can make a better, more informed decision. Remember, if you cannot determine that any of your opponents are making any errors in judgment, then why stay in a game when there must be easier pickings elsewhere? You’ve probably heard the story about the ninth-best hold’em player in the entire world. His only failing was that he regularly played with the top eight players in the world. Don’t fall into that trap. Study your opponents to gauge their knowledge and skill level to ensure you can compete profitably.
Not Recognizing Opportunities
Beginner players who aspire to greater poker heights focus on good, solid starting hand values, not playing too many hands, and working hard on their discipline. In essence, they evolve into good ABC players. To move up to the next level and become a skilled winning poker player, one must do more than play solid-by-the-book poker. Poker is a game of relative values, so you don’t necessarily need a monster hand to win – just one better than your opponent. Better yet, sometimes you need a well-timed/sized bet to make your opponent lay down the winning hand. The key element of recognizing profitable opportunities is a good position. By playing part, you’re in the driver’s seat to steal blinds and orphan pots. Force yourself outside the mindset of playing by the book and take advantage of opportunities. Remember, good cards come and go, but opportunities arise constantly.
Not Laying Down Losers
Not making a good laydown in limit poker can cost you some bets. This same frailty in no-limit will get you to the feel quicker than any other mistake. This egregious error relates to other elements, such as overcalling and cold calling raises. There is no magic pill to make sure you always lay down the losers but never lay down a winner. The good feeling will come through studying your opponents and gaining more and more experience. When put to the test, think through the likely holdings of your opponent and consider giving him credit for the hand he is representing instead of your chips.
Math and Odds
If you aspire to play poker well, you must appreciate that knowledge of math and probability is necessary. Most poker players know the standard odds of drawing hands like straights and flushes, and if you don’t, take this as a wake-up call to search out that information and commit it to memory. Our beginner lesson on drawing odds outlines this fundamental concept and explains a shorthand method of figuring out the odds you face when you have two cards to come and when the only card left is the river. This knowledge is critical to success.
If you can honestly state that none of these mistakes ever crop up in your game, then I don’t want you playing at my table. We all make mistakes, and you should consider these ten mistakes as a checklist for better poker play and performance. If any of them resonate in your game, you can plug those leaks by setting goals and working on those aspects of your game.
