Texas Holdem Tips - 4 Ways to Improve Fast & Win More Games!

Texas Holdem Tips - 4 Ways to Improve Fast & Win More Games!
Are you new to Texas Holdem or simply looking to improve your game? If so, this article contains some valuable tips that will help you --  if you apply them. Take these Texas Holdem tips to heart and your game results will drastically improve. But first, keep in mind that no set of tips or strategies can make up for lack of experience, and experience cannot make up for stupidity. Part of becoming a good poker player is practice, practice against real opponents of quality, and real thought and concentration. You must play and play often to become a good player, but you must also analyze what you and others do (and have done), and become a student of the game.
• Texas Holdem Tips #1: Play "Up" and Play Often
You're probably familiar with the old saw that says you only learn from people who are better than you. In large measure, this is true. You must play real games against opponents who are better in order to grow. Remember, there are thousands of people out there who study tactics, strategies, Texas Holdem tips like this one and work at it religiously. They are serious enough to get in a game at least once a week, if not more than this. If you're going to be good, you need to do the same. If you can't find a real game to get into, play online. Even if you're playing for "funny money," it's better than not playing at all.
• Texas Holdem Tips #2: Practice and Practice Again
Another hoary old chestnut says practice makes perfect. Perfect is an illusion, in life as in poker. You'll never be perfect. So, while practice may not make perfect, it is necessary. Practice, concentration, study and reflection are what will make you better. Vegas and Atlantic City weren't built in a day, and you're skill as a poker player won't be either. But in order to learn quickly and become competitive fast, you've got to play and keep playing.
That being said, pick a time and a place to play, and set a schedule. And here's one of the most important "Texas Holdem tips": only play when you're fresh, and quit on the clock. A fatigued player is generally a very bad one. Set a schedule and stick to it. If you plan to play for two hours, stop after two hours. Part of the discipline of the winner is following a rigorous training schedule, much like a professional athlete, and doing so relentlessly.
• Texas Holdem Tips #3: Know Your Limits
Playing and practicing is important (obviously), but so is rest and time away from the game. Don't overdo it in the quest to get better faster. Just as the body needs time to recover after a particularly strenuous workout, the mind needs time recover from an intense poker session. If you find you can't get away from the table and/or that you're making a lot of bad decisions, you may have a problem. Consider getting professional help. Finally, just as they say don't drink an drive, don't drink and bet, either. When you crash and burn it may not have fatal consequences (unless you owe the Mob your bankroll), but it's no fun to be scraped off a casino floor and far more embarrassing.
• Texas Holdem Tips #4: Lose To Win
If you're just starting out, expect to lose -- even a lot -- as you're learning. It's part of the process. Wherever possible, play online for little or no money. And if you're going to play in the real world, try to play in low-dollar, low-limit games.
Remember that even the best "book learning," tips and tricks in the world will not help you avoid bad beats from time to time -- either due to bad luck, bad play or simply running up against a better hand. It happens, and it happens to the best. Losing hurts, but it's a better teacher than winning. Losing is a part of winning. It makes you humble, but it makes you sharper. And if you're stubborn and pig-headed (most veteran poker players are), it makes you hungrier. Nobody likes to lose. But if you're serious and dedicated, it only makes you want to get that much better!
Keep on losing -- it's a key to winning!