Six Ways to Avoid Looking Newbie When Playing Poker

 Six Ways to Avoid Looking Newbie When Playing Poker

Chris Moneymaker was an amateur poker player and accountant from Tennessee in 2002. He was a frequent online player, as well as in casinos, but he mostly ended up in debt. He won the World Series of Poker in May 2003 and the $2.5million Main Prize. Moneymaker beat some of the most skilled players in the world. It was also the first ever live tournament he participated in. The online game had a $39 fee and was the beginning of it all.

You can see that Texas Hold'Em poker gained popularity after this. People all over the world began to seek out the rules of the game once reserved only for outlaws or back-alley hucksters. People began to organize weekly or monthly house poker games as they honed their poker skills, hoping to make it big one day.

Although the popularity of amateur poker players seeking big paydays has waned a little since 2007, the game of Poker still holds a great deal of respect. Friends and coworkers discovered that playing casually with cards could be both entertaining and competitive. Texas Hold'Em became the most popular game for bachelor parties and nights for men.

That sentiment was what inspired me to host a poker tournament at my house for a friend’s bachelor party. I didn't really know what I was doing but I did have a poker table and chips so I thought it would be a fun time. It turned out to be so much fun that I host a monthly game at home with 7-10 men. It is always a hit. (Check out this article to learn how you can start your own poker club.)

At the beginning, my knowledge was limited. I was not the host of the game and had to rely on others to help me understand the rules and etiquette. Even though I didn't mind, it was embarrassing to have my friends remind me of which hand won and what protocol keeps the game going. I feel like I know the basics now that we are 6 months in.

Many times, new players join our group feeling a lot like I did. They can also cause financial losses and disrupt the flow of the game. We understand that this is not a problem, but it is more fun for everyone when everyone has a clear understanding of the game.

If you're in the situation of playing your first Texas Hold'Em game, chances are you're not trying to win big or move on to the World Series of Poker. You simply want to be able and confident enough to play with your friends without appearing like a total novice. These tips will help you be confident playing with your friends and winning a few hands. We will discuss basic terms and table etiquette as well as general strategic tips. Let's dig in!

Note: While there are many variations of poker, this article is devoted to Texas Hold'Em. It's by far the most popular.

1. The Rules of the Games

The game play is not difficult in itself, as opposed to betting strategies or knowing your table's position, etc. These are all covered later. You should be familiar with Texas Hold'Em before you start playing. This is a good introduction on rules and game play. You can also view this video that visually guides you through a hand.

2. Be familiar with the Hand Rankings

The most difficult thing for new players is to know which hand of cards wins. It can be difficult to distinguish between pairs, straights and flushes. The chart below will help you understand the order of the hands. In most cases, the pot will be won by a pair or two of pairs. In house games, we have rarely seen a better hand than a full-house. Where to Start in Poker