1. 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.
2. 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.
3. “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.
4. “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).
5. 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

1. Not releasing a decent hand when beat, thus losing the whole stack on one hand.
2. Calling with weak holdings when facing a bet.
3. Playing too many starting hands.
4. Not raising pre-flop with premium hands (putting pressure on limpers holding drawing hands) and then going too far with them after the flop.
5. Over/under betting the pot (risking a lot to win small/not protecting hand).