Poker is a game of skill and you can become a better player by learning some important poker strategy. If you are new to poker, you should start by reading the game rules. Make sure you understand all of the rules very well before you start playing. Also, it is essential that you learn how poker hands are ranked. If you know how to play poker and you want to improve your game, here are some key poker skills that will help you become a better poker player.

If you want a more complete strategy guide, have a look at the basic poker strategy and advanced poker strategy from IPM.

Math Skills:

To be a good poker player, you need to know general percentages. For example, you should know that you have about a 1 in 8 chance of hitting a set when holding a pocket pair, and that you have about a 1 in 3 chance of completing a flush draw at the flop.

Poker players need to know the importance of outs. Outs are the number of cards that will improve your hand. Count your outs, multiply them by two, and add one, and that's roughly the percentage shot you have at hitting.

Good poker players can figure out the pot odds. Knowing your outs is one thing, but it is meaningless unless it's translated into calculated betting.

Discipline:

In order to win steadily at poker, the most important skill to master is discipline. Indeed, all other skills are dependent on discipline. You must have the discipline to wait for a good hand, a good game, the right opportunity, etc. Discipline means that you do not play in games where you lack edge, that you refrain from playing hands that will get you into trouble, that you manage your money expertly and that you learn from your mistakes. It is imperative that you keep your emotions under control at all times and not go on tilt. Do not, under any circumstances, play drunk or when you are tired or emotionally troubled. As well, you should constantly ask yourself if you are playing your best game.

Observation:

If you continually study your opponents, you will learn a lot. Most of the time you spend playing you will not be involved in a hand, and you should use that time to observe your opponents. Watch how each player plays their hand and use that information against them. It is important to listen to what they say. A lot of players will tell you what kind of hand they threw away or why they played a hand in a certain way. Try to figure out what they are holding and put them on hands whether you are involved in the pot or not. Consequently, when you are playing a hand with them, you will know what their checks, bets, calls and raises mean. Pay equal attention to your own game and think of your table image at all times. You will notice that some players do not examine the game at all and, therefore, your table image is virtually non-existent when playing against them. Just as you search for tells in your opponents, look for tells in yourself. When you spot one in an opponent, consider whether or not you are displaying that very same tell.

About the Author

Martin is the webmaster at Instant Poker Money and the admin of the IPM Forums. The IPM site provides an updated list of no deposit poker rooms where new players can get free poker money. It also includes complete basic and advanced poker strategy.