by JM Lane

Created on: March 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 24, 2012

When first starting poker it can be quite scary. There's all sorts of confusing terms and rules that when first starting seem quite confusing. Then there are different styles of poker. Today I'm going to talk about Texas Hold'em.

It would be advised to learn from someone who has an idea how to play the game, this way you can go at a steady pace and practice a bit before playing for money. This is a good way to learn the game because personally when you start playing you gain experience the hands, when to play, when to fold.

You learn how to read people (especially if you playing the same people regularly) from this you will gain tactics and develop your own style of playing.

When you start playing for money, start off small and be prepared to lose, I found the risk of losing my own personal money put more pressure on me it was only with practice I became a better competitive player. You will also find that the difference between playing for fun and playing for real money makes all the difference you friend might have been going all in on the first hand, but when money is involved he's a serial folder and is prepared to go the night.

If you're not up to playing don't sometimes you can be tired, or maybe you've had a bit to drink, might not be wise, leave it for another time.

When cards are dealt don't look at them until all the other players have looked at there's. This way you can look to see for any first reactions that the player gives out, because 9/10 the person will give most reaction when seeing cards for the first time. When the five cards are dealt in the middle keep watching people's reactions even those who have folded because they might give away what cards they had this will help reduce the odds that your opponent doesn't hold that card.
Imagine the scenario You hold a 5, another 5 comes out on the flop, the person sat near you doesn't look too happy when the 5 appears so that leaves another 5 somewhere else in the pack or on another player if you have an ace to back you up, a pair of fives could get you an advantage over an opponent maybe.

If your out early stick around to watch a bit you might find you pick things up you didn't while sat at the table if it's just a small pot with friends with no strict rules than ask the person your sat nearest to you to show you there hand they might happily do that this way you can learn other styles different people play.

After playing taking some time to reflect on your game whether you did really badly or really

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