6 Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Newb 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. By May 2003, Moneymaker had won the World Series of Poker 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 someday.

Although the popularity of amateur poker players seeking big paydays has waned a little since 2007, poker retains its old respect. A casual night playing cards was a great way to have fun with friends or colleagues, and Texas Hold'Em quickly became the most popular game for bachelor parties and men's nights.

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.)

I had no idea what I was doing. Even though I was the host, I had no idea what I was doing. I relied on other people to help me understand the rules and etiquette. Even though my friends didn’t seem to care, it was still embarrassing to have the game’s rules and protocol reminded to them. I think that now that we're six months in, I have largely mastered the basics.

Many times, new players join our group feeling a lot like I did. They can also cause financial losses and disrupt the game's flow, so they need to be taught. We understand that this is not a problem, but it is more fun for everyone when each player 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 complete beginner. These tips will help you be confident playing with your friends and winning a few hands. We'll be covering 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 isn't complicated at all, but there are other things to consider, such as betting strategies or knowing your table positions. (More on these later). You should be familiar with Texas Hold'Em before you start playing. This is a good introduction on rules and game play. This short video will visually walk you through the basics of 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, or 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. I don't think we've ever seen a better hand in house games than a full-house. The hands above that are very rare. how to start playing poker with any cards