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B. Paul, Editor, Bonusgambler.com
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A few poker tips
Always Watching
One of the best times to observe your opponents and look for tells is when you're not actually playing. Watching the action between other players after you've folded allows you to scrutinize habits, expressions, and actions without worrying about your own hand or performance. So once you throw the cards in, continue to observe and look for patterns. You don't have enough time anyway to do something else useful while you wait, like nap.
The Long, Tight Wait
Remember that televised poker tournaments are heavily edited. They only show you the final table, which has fewer players at a single table and a much different play style from the rest of the game. A professional player spends most of the tournament throwing hands away. It's that selectiveness of picking the right battles to fight that distinguishes the pro from the amateur. Up until the final table, all tournament tables will generally have eight to ten people at a single table, which decreases the starting value of most hands and calls for a much tighter style of play to survive.
Brain Food
If you've ever spent any time in a casino, you know that getting a hold of a waitress is not impossible. That's why it's a good idea to come prepared and supplied for your next casino-based tournament. Weariness and fatigue, which are unavoidable, can quickly cramp your game, and the best defense is to renew your body's energy stores throughout the day. Don't go so far as packing an ice chest, but bring a small bag with a couple bottles of water and a handful of granola or energy bars. Most tournaments will have concessions, but leaving the table means you're missing hands, and the breaks are few and far between. Make sure you visit the complimentary concession bar during those breaks and snag a few refreshments to carry back with you. Often the casino will have free gifts for entrants which are sometimes packed with trail mix, peanuts, and mints. Eating at the table isn't out of line, but try to be somewhat discreet.
Know Your Odds
When playing online, download an odds calculator. This will help to curtail your gambling instincts and increase your understanding of when seemingly powerful cards are much weaker than you realize. The programs themselves range widely in usefulness and price (from free to ad-supported to free-trials to $40 for the full program). Many will automatically plug in to the gaming software and auto-read your hole cards and the board. Just do a google search for "poker odds calculator" and surf around for a good choice. Or check our reviews section for helpful suggestions and reviews of the better, and worse, odds calculators.
Source: BonusGambler.com Editors' Choice
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