Study, Then Act
Just like your parents always said, doing your homework is a key to success. In poker, your homework generally consists of observing your opponents before you act. Studying your poker opponents allows you to get a good read on what cards they have and the value of your hand against theirs.
I used to grab up my cards as they were dealt to me and greedily pore over them for any sign of a big hand, betting if I was happy with them and tossing them into the pot if I wasn’t. I had no regard for whether or not my opponents liked their cards, and a lack of chips was often the result.
If you learn to worry more about what your opponents have than what you’ve got, you’ll be able to make much better reads on their hands and you’ll know much more about the value of your cards than you would otherwise. Pay attention to how your poker opponents bet and pay special attention if a hand goes to showdown. The more familiar with what cards your opponents are willing to play and how they’re willing to play them, the more of their money you’ll be able to rake in.
