If you listen to or read interviews with some of the best poker players, the vast majority of them will admit that it is becoming increasingly difficult to make money playing the game, especially online. With so much information from the poker community about how to play optimally, players are becoming more skilled and the games are becoming more difficult.
That’s not to say that there isn’t a lot of money to be made from playing poker online, because there is. You do, however, need to look to leverage any advantages that you find or create for yourself. Some of these advantages may come from paying a coach or joining a poker training site to help you improve your skills. But there are some things you can try that cost absolutely nothing that can see your win rate increase.
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Remove all distractions
How often do you play online poker with Facebook, Twitter, poker forums, or your internet browser open? I’d be willing to bet big money that many of you would say, “always.” I’m guilty of this as well. In fact, I often play from my living room where the TV is on, which means I’ll sometimes find myself engrossed in the TV instead of what’s happening on my laptop.
When you’re playing poker, poker should get 100% of your attention. You can always check your social media during a break or once your session is over, but try not to look at it while you’re playing. Perhaps, if you’re able to browse the internet while playing poker, you should consider adding a few more tables to your screen and dedicating the time you spend looking at memes to playing more poker.
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Make yourself comfortable
This is all a matter of personal preference, but you should make sure you’re sitting comfortably. I know people who have paid hundreds of pounds for a state-of-the-art office chair and can only play their best poker when they’re sitting at a real desk. Others prefer to slump on a beanbag or something similar, while I prefer the comfort of my sofa.
Remember that you will be playing for several hours. Getting comfortable means you will be able to concentrate for longer and be able to think more clearly.
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Don't play poker just because you can
This has undoubtedly been one of the biggest flaws in my game and one that has cost me a lot of money. I believe that you should only play poker when you really want to rather than playing because you have a few hours to kill time or because playing poker is what you do on a Wednesday night.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve started registering for tournaments just because the kids were in bed and the wife was watching some junk TV. But I wasn’t really in the mood to play poker – a bit late to have such a revelation when you have several tournaments going on.
Additionally, I personally avoid playing poker if I’ve had a tough day at work, the kids have started playing, or similar distractions arise. It’s easy to think that you’re doing something you love and that it will help relieve stress or make you feel better, but poker can be stressful by nature and if you don’t go into a session with a positive mindset to begin with, you could very well set your bankroll on fire.
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Avoid alcohol like the plague
I remember reading an interview with Gavin Smith many years ago where he stated that most poker players play best with three drinks in them, but the key is to maintain that level and not go beyond that – that is, not continue with another drink and so on. But that’s easier said than done sometimes.
I drink and often feel that poker and beer go hand in hand because it is a social game. However, even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgment and reduce your ability to perform calculations or assess situations with the focus they deserve.
Drinking also starts to dehydrate you, and this is particularly bad because our brains are made up of about 73% water. Even a small reduction in hydration can cause fatigue, change your mood, and affect concentration. If you want a beer, wait until your session is over. It can also make you pee like a racehorse, and you don’t want to be running to the bathroom every 10 minutes or having to use a makeshift poker potty, do you?
Along the same lines, you should avoid playing poker immediately after eating a large meal, especially if it’s high in protein. When we eat a large meal, our bodies divert blood to the stomach and intestines to aid in digestion, which is why we often feel sluggish or fall into the dreaded “post-meal sleepiness.” It doesn’t take a genius to realize that feeling tired and lethargic at the tables isn’t good for a poker player.
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Use stops
As a tournament player, I look for those quick five minutes every hour when all my tables pause. And I always make sure to get up from my laptop and do something during those synchronized breaks.
Use this time to do some stretching, grab a (non-alcoholic) drink, grab a small snack, or simply go for a quick walk. I enjoy getting outside for a few minutes, especially on a clear night when the air is cooler and the stars are out. I find it relaxing and rejuvenating and I come back to my session feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Conclusion
Some or all of these five tips may seem like common sense to most of you, but a large percentage of you won’t employ them regularly. Sometimes it’s the simplest solutions that are the best. I urge you to give them a try next week and see if they have any positive effect on your game.
Original article: Five Free Ways to Boost Your Online Win Rate
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