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Now that you know what the top seven mistakes are for social players, we need to learn how to deal with them ( Common Poker Mistakes - Part 1 of 2 dealt with the seven mistakes.). The easiest way to correct these mistakes is by recognizing when you are making them and then taking appropriate action. For these scenarios, we will assume that you have a strong hand.
Mistake One -Too Many Hands
Playing too many hands is an immediate confirmation to other players that you are a social or novice player. Your opponents will be trying to see the types of starting hands you are playing further down the streets. They know that you will bet, but need to determine what your starting hand is when the seventh street is laid down. Once they have you in a pot with them, they will have the advantage. Although tempting, you need to avoid playing too many hands. If you have a bad hand, fold.
Mistake Two -Watch the Board
The avid poker player will be carefully watching the board while the social player will be watching only their hand. This situation gives your opponents a huge advantage. They will watch to see if you draw dead and then start betting aggressively and calling. Since you will not be aware that they know you are drawing dead, your opponent will take advantage of you every single time. This is why you need to be diligent in watching the board.
Mistake Three -Straights
Since social players count cards to see if they have a straight, this situation is easy for other players to spot. Other players will be watching you to see how long you look at your cards. If they know you are drawing to a straight, they will start betting aggressively. Even if you your opponent loses, if you bet aggressively, in the end, the opponents aggressive betting will stack higher over yours. The key is to avoid straights altogether!
Mistake Four -Small Pairs
Good poker players will allow you to bet on small pairs, but as soon as they start getting good hands from a good draw and know they can beat your small pairs, they will start raising bets. If you call them, they will know that the pair of deuces or threes in your hand is all you have. Try not to play small pairs but if you are going to and your opponent starts raising bets, fold!
Mistake Five -High Pairs
A good player will be watching for players that slow play. If the other players have played quality hands and have a disciplined game, whatever you play will not be costly to them. Your opponents are going to be watching for any excitement coming from you, which is a tale-tell sign that you have a high pair. If you want to beat other players with your high pair, you need to be careful about showing emotion. Not giving the other players any hints that you have a high pair will give you an advantage of winning that hand.
Mistake Six -High Cards
Serious players know that social players love face cards and Aces. In fact, social players do not even have to have a high pair to get excited. They will hold onto one high card in hopes of more. Your opponents are going to be watching to see your starting hand on seventh street. They will notice when you bet or raise on a hand such as Ace, eight, and six unsuited as well as how many high cards have been folded. If you have a high card in your hand, you will need to play wisely or you might walk away without winning.
Mistake Seven - Emotion
If you want to win the pot, you must leave any emotion in your hotel room. Avid poker players can spot a social player in minutes. No matter what, never say things such as, 'I wasn't very lucky with that hand', 'This is not my game', or 'I'm just not being dealt any good cards." Comments like this are a dead giveaway that you are a social player. You need to evaluate your emotions constantly to ensure you are not giving yourself away. When you are having many bad hands in a row, you may find the avid player trying to force you to make a move that you would otherwise not make. Be sure to take breaks or change your activity when losing.
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