The biggest mistake we newbies make

[tyler nash]

What are the biggest mistakes we newbies make?

[li'l jinx]

Oh, gosh! It would probably jumping in with out really knowing the game. Especially rules and stuff.

[aceofspade]

Ouch! Guilty!

Another would probably not watching your bankroll and not stopping till you you've lost everything.

[coolasice]

For the onlookers and the non-players, poker seems to be simple game to play. At the outset, the game seems to be all about betting hard and bluffing expertly. That is just what they do in televised matches right?

Misconceptions about poker such as this are soon shattered when one participates in an actual session. Actual experience of the game will reveal that playing the card game is no walk in the park even if the match is played with friends.

This is because breaking into poker is not easy and no amount of watching those poker programs all day long will make one a pro in the world of poker.

In fact, aside from teaching the basics and playing procedure of the game, nothing ever comes good from watching such shows as they give out the idea that the game is so easy, one just needs to be a loudmouth and a total bluffer to win them all.

[claymore]

True on that part. Beginners should realize that bluffing is not poker and poker is not bluffing.

[Neil Owens]

The lack of patience, aside from being the most common among the beginner mistakes are incidentally also the most self-detrimental to the beginner as having no patience will only make the beginner less receptive to lessons and ideas that can be gleaned from playing.

[spooky]

Showing other people your cards. Seriously now.

[lovelyliz]

Seriously? :p

[coolasice]

Seriously. Many new players like to show their good hands when playing with friends. Do not succumb to this peer pressure by making a habit of showing your cards to your playing partners. All you are doing is giving away information about how you chose to play that particular hand and therefore how you play. Do it enough times and they will be able to predict how you will play.

[huffnpuff]

This is probably the single worst and most common mistake to make. It’s simple. Playing more hands, doesn’t mean winning more hands. It’s usually better to just get out early and fold because most poker hands are simply not good hands to play.

In line with that, one would think that it is just common sense not to bite more than one can chew but there are still those who commit the beginner mistake of playing those who are more than a couple of notches above them in terms of skill. Such games will be too much for a newbie as they are full of complexity and high-level playing which are more than a beginner could handle.

[benjaminW]

Alcohol and poker do not mix. If you don't drink and drive why should you do the same for a game that requires skill and quick thinking.

[tyler nash]

Wow! All this is a very tall order. Especially the drinking part. Don't think I can do with out that yet :D Thanks everyone! Still room for more... more improvement and more suggestions! So keep on adding to the list for all us newbies.

[randyhowar]

Many a times, newbies land into non-legal platforms or lost due to lack of patience. We tend to neglect that poker is a game in which a person with superior skills will always win over the one with average skills.

[KorbinD]

I second that, it is fun to drink and gamble but you will always lose out to the person with the level head.

[stalker]

The biggest newbies error is that they are playing too many hands.

[butter]

Here are some of the mistake i see players make: thinking everything should go your way, misapplying concepts, playing scared, playing under adverse conditions, making quick decisions, trying to win quickly and making the game personal.

[dumpies]

I think over confidence is another HUGE mistake i see newbies make.