5 Basic Live Poker Tournament Tips

There are many different ways poker players choose to play the game, however, there are certain basics you should try to adhere to. Now these may seem very simple and straight forward but it is amazing how many poker players out there simply dismiss them.

There are two ways to look at these poker tips, and because you want to become a better poker player this post is worth reading, first, you were unaware of these poker tips and you can use them to your advantage or second you are aware of them and you can watch for other poker players not adhering to them.

Simply put, the poker players not following these tips are obviously novices and will probably lose all there chips to the more experienced poker player.

Poker Tip 1. Wait to look at your cards

Our golden rule is to watch what other poker players are doing. How can you do this if you are looking at your cards? Wait until it is your turn to act then look at your cards, you should be concentrating on the players due to act before you, not on your own cards. The only time you should look straight away is under the gun (first to act sitting next to the big blind), but still, you can look for players after you that have already checked their cards.

Poker Tip 2. Do not lift your cards from the table

We've all seen it on TV, cover your cards with one hand and only raise enough of the cards to know their value and suit. Do not lift the cards off the table to get a better look. This opens the door to showing your opponents both your cards and your tells.

Poker Tip 3. Act in turn.

I don't really know why I have this tip here, because if you follow poker tip 1, you shouldn't be able to act out of turn as you haven't seen your cards yet. However, to become a better poker player you must realize you can watch for players meaning to act after you and get a read on their possible actions. Just because you will choose to act in turn doesn't mean your opponents will. Keep an eye out for that opponents holding their cards ready to muck out of turn.

Poker Tip 4. Only look at your cards once

Only look at your cards once and make every effort to show no emotion. You only have two cards to remember, if you can't remember the value and suit of two cards you looked at 30 seconds ago you have a lot of homework to do to become a better poker player. Besides, you should be spending as much time as possible watching your opponents rather than watching your own cards. Furthermore, see if you can work out a consistent amount of time to look at them. Eg. Try for 3 seconds every hand. A poker tell can be picked up by the amount of time a player looks at their cards. Consistency is the key, regardless how strong or weak your hand is.

Poker Tip 5. Showing your cards

There is an art for showing your cards. Professional poker players show their cards at certain times for definite reasons, they have a plan in mind and are attempting to set a trap. Don't get sucked into showing your hand unless you have set out to purposely do so. You will find many poker players suggest you never show your hand - keep your opponent guessing. This is good advice if you have not set a plan. Wanting your opponents to believe you bluff a lot, or only play with very strong hands or even attempting to put a player on tilt are a few good reasons to show your hands. Stroking your ego is definitely no reason to show your hand.

We can post hundreds of poker strategies and tips here on how to become a better poker player and they are all valuable. You can find them all over the internet and even from your opponents. BUT, these tips and poker strategies are useless unless you implement them into your poker game. You should want them to become second nature, embed them into your subconscious.

It is a matter of being aware of your surroundings and most importantly aware of yourself. You are destined to become better poker player if you start to focus on you, your mindset and how you approach the game.

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Source by Danny Crouch