- Playing too many starting hands: in a standard $2-$4 NL game you should have a 20-30% view of the flop percentage. This means folding AJ in first position, KT in middle position and QT in late position.
- Table selection: only play in games where you have an edge. You want at least a couple of weak players at the table when you sit down.
- “Playing the players”: make sure to quickly assess the opposition: who plays inferior hands, who folds at aggression, who bets with draws, who calls big bets with weak hands and draws, who can be bluffed, who bluffs, etc.
- “Pump it or dump it”: fold or bet/raise (if the holdem odds are with you). You should avoid calling unless you have a good reason (like trapping an opponent).
- Respect most big bets and raises: this is particularly true on the turn and river as most players do not bluff.
No-Limit Texas Hold’em Common Mistakes
- Not releasing a decent hand when beat, thus losing the whole stack on one hand.
- Calling with weak holdings when facing a bet.
- Playing too many starting hands.
- Not raising pre-flop with premium hands (putting pressure on limpers holding drawing hands) and then going too far with them after the flop.
- Over/under betting the pot (risking a lot to win small/not protecting hand).