Poker Myths: The Top 7 That Players Still Believe In
In a relatively short amount of time, poker has become enormously popular. People from all corners of the earth are now interested in becoming professional poker players.
Although we’re not as young as we used to be, many of us still enjoy playing video games. For some people, it’s even turned into a successful career!
The influx of new players to poker after its exposure on TV helped create and fuel many myths and superstitions that last even today.
In this article, we’ll dispel some of the most popular poker myths that continue to exist, even among experienced players.
1. It is a skill-based game
Poker is definitely a game of skill, but that doesn’t mean that luck isn’t a factor. On any given hand, the better player will win more often than the luckier player, but over the long run, luck evens out. Daniel Negreanu, one of the best players in the world, says on Brandon Adams’ Podcast that “Poker is 90% mental and 10% luck.”
2. You need to be aggressive to win
This is one of the most popular myths about poker. Many people believe that you need to be aggressive and play a lot of hands to win. While it is true that you need to be aggressive at times, you also need to know when to hold back. The best players are able to read their opponents and adjust their playing style accordingly.
3. You need to bluff a lot
This is another common poker myth. Many people believe that you need to bluff a lot to win. While bluffing can be a successful strategy, it is definitely not necessary to win. In fact, many of the best players rarely bluff.
4. Limit games are easier than no-limit games
This is a myth that is perpetuated by people who don’t understand no-limit games. In reality, playing a poker game with a limit is actually much easier than a no-limit game. The reason for this is that in limit games, you can only lose a certain amount of money on any given hand, whereas in no-limit games, you can lose your entire stack.
5. It’s all about one big win for the pros
The idea that professional poker players are only chasing one big win is closely connected to the first myth about poker being a gambling game.
Amateurs who are looking from the outside in often think that all professionals do is get lucky by winning one huge tournament; it’s like they’re dreaming of hitting the lottery. The truth is, professionals have a completely different outlook.
They know that playing poker to make a living is tough, and they don’t focus too much on individual results. Sure, most players love getting a big win of seven figures or more, but they usually don’t think of it as an “exit plan.”
Read more: What is the primary purpose of a living trust?
A lot of professional players love their job because it is what they do. They’re always looking for that one big score to dramatically improve their bankroll and move up the stakes, but most don’t stop playing after winning the Main Event.
6. Play poker for free and learn the game
Free games are the complete opposite of what you should be doing to win, and this is probably the worst advice possible. The only thing you can learn from free games are rules; there’s no strategy involved whatsoever. When people play without any risk to their money, they make more spontaneous decisions rather than calculated ones.
When playing poker, some people make careless decisions like shoving pre-flop with any two cards or going all in every time they have a chance. Other players might try to be too creative by making other plays that are very unlikely to work. No matter what these types of players do, they will rarely win the game.
Games that utilize these dynamics are distanced from reality, so you cannot learn anything of value from them. Your opponents will bet blindly, so you will not have the opportunity to learn when or how much to bet, nor develop your ability to read opponents tells.
If you’re starting your experience in these poker games, you won’t learn what you need to from simply playing. This doesn’t mean that you have to begin with high buy-in games, but if invest a dollar or two into the lower stakes game; you’ll gain actual insight about how to play and will thus progress much faster. Learning the ropes this way can make all the difference.
7. Anyone Can Play Poker for a Living
Some people aspire to be professional poker players because they assume it is an easy life with many perks. While it’s true that they have more freedom than the average person, and can make good living playing cards, there are drawbacks too. For example, they often have to deal with long stretches of losses, play in smoky casinos or poker rooms, and endure long hours of sitting.
Many people believe that playing poker for a living is easy; you just need to be patient and wait for good cards, and the money will come rolling in. However, the reality is quite different. While there are some definite perks to playing poker for a living – such as a certain degree of freedom when planning your time, seemingly limitless options to advance your career, and a big payday if you play well – it certainly isn’t all rainbows and butterflies.
Read more: What To Look For In A Health Insurance Plans For a Family