If you listen to or read interviews with some of the best poker players, the vast majority of them will admit that it's becoming increasingly difficult to make money from the game, especially online. With so much information from the poker community on how to play optimally, players are becoming more technical 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 at pushing any advantage you find or create for yourself. Some of these advantages can 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 at absolutely zero cost that can make you see your win rate increase.
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Remove all distractions
How often do you play poker online with Facebook, Twitter, poker forums, or open your web browser? I'd be willing to bet big money that many of you would say, "all the time." I'm guilty of that too. In fact, I often play from my living room where the TV is on, which means sometimes I'll find myself engaged with the TV rather than with 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 finished, but try not to look at them during the game. Perhaps, if you are able to mess around on the internet while playing poker, you should consider adding a few more tables to your screen and dedicate the time spent 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 that you are sitting comfortably. I know people who have paid hundreds of pounds on a state-of-the-art office chair and can only play their best poker when they sit down at a real table. Others prefer to plop down on a beanbag or something similar, while I prefer the comfort of my sofa.
Remember that you can play for several hours. Becoming comfortable means you'll 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
Without a doubt, this has 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 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 nonsense on TV. But I wasn't really in the mood for poker - a bit late to have such a revelation when you have several tournaments in action.
Also, I personally avoid playing poker if I've had a hard 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 start with, you may 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 said that most poker players play better with three drinks in them, but the key was to maintain that level and not go beyond it - that is, not to continue with another drink and so on. Easier said than done, sometimes.
I drink and often feel that poker and beer go hand in hand, because it's a social game. However, even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgment and reduce your ability to make 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 around 73% of 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 urinate like a racehorse and you don't want to be running to the toilet every 10 minutes or having to use a makeshift poker potty, do you?
In the same vein, you should avoid playing poker immediately after eating a large meal, especially if it's high in protein. When we consume a larger meal, our bodies divert blood to the stomach and intestines to aid digestion, hence why you often feel weak or fall into the dreaded "post-meal sleep." It doesn't take a genius to realize that feeling tired and lethargic at the tables is not good for a poker player.
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Use stops
As a tournament player, I look at 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 these synchronized breaks.
Use this time to do some stretching, grab a (non-alcoholic) drink, get a small snack, or simply go for a brisk walk. I like to stay outside for a few minutes, especially on a clear night when the air is cooler and the stars are in the sky. I find it relaxing and rejuvenating and I return to my session feeling refreshed and ready to continue.
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 on a regular basis. 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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