Beyond the Basics: Elevate Your Poker Game with These Advanced Tactics -

Playing poker is a hobby that millions of people enjoy. They love playing in their downtime, either at an online casino or a land-based one.

But few people ever learn to play poker beyond the basics. Those who do are rewarded with bigger wins.

So, how can you elevate your poker game so you can compete with professionals? What are some of the advanced poker tactics that you can learn?

This article will answer these questions and provide a list of useful tips to become a better and stronger poker player.

Basic vs. advanced tactics

Before exploring some of the advanced tactics, it is worth defining what basic tactics are in poker. Players should only start to learn advanced tactics once they have mastered the following ones.

1) Knowing popular poker variants

Basic poker gaming includes knowing popular poker variants and their rules. Players should know this information before attempting to learn more advanced techniques.

For example, players should know the difference between draw poker, stud poker and community card poker.

If they are playing one variant such as community card poker, they should know some of its sub-variants. Two very popular community card poker sub-variants include Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha Hold ‘Em.

Beginners and intermediate players should know these two sub-variants and, ideally, have some experience playing them.

They should always know which variant they are playing and the rules of that variant.

Advanced players have excellent knowledge of poker variants. They know how to adapt their strategy based on the variant they are playing.

This helps them increase their odds of winning. Without that poker knowledge, they would not know which strategy to use for each variant and sub-variant.

2) Memorizing hand rankings

Any player who wants to become an advanced poker player should memorize hand rankings.

A Royal Flush is the best hand in poker. It is made up of an ace, a king, a queen, a jack and a ten of the same suit.

Here are some of the other hand rankings to know.

3) Having experience playing at an online or land-based casino

Before learning advanced poker techniques, it is important to have some poker gaming experience.

Players should have played poker several times via an online operator or a land-based one.

It will be too difficult to learn and implement more advanced tactics if you do not have any relevant poker experience.

Advanced tactics to learn

Once a player knows about different poker variants, has memorized hand rankings, and has experience playing poker, they can start learning more advanced tactics.

Here are some of the best tactics to learn.

Poker face

Every experienced poker player has a poker face. They have worked and developed their poker face to make sure they can hide emotions from other players.

A great poker face is particularly useful for players who enjoy playing at land-based casinos.

Online players will not need a poker face as much as them. However, a great poker face is always worth mastering in case you ever play in-person.

Probability and math skills

Advanced players have memorized all of the hand rankings in poker and use probability to predict their odds of winning.

They also use probability to assess other players’ odds. Math skills can help players predict other players’ hands and bet accordingly.

Players who want to learn probability and math techniques to improve their odds can do so easily. There are many free resources online.

It will take some time to master these techniques but with a bit of practice, you will get there.

Table position

Advanced players know how to use their table position to their advantage when playing poker.

For example, they know that if they are playing Under the Gun, they should be extra careful. The Under the Gun player is the first person to play after the dealer has dealt the cards.

However, if they are playing in the Button position, they should raise the stakes if they see that they have the upper hand.

In short, advanced players know about the different table positions in poker. They study the pros and cons of each position and use that information in their favour when playing.

Mental and concentration skills

Advanced and professional players are very good at maintaining their concentration. They have laser-focus and know how to manage their stress in order to appear calm and collected.

Their math skills as well as their memory skills are very good. In short, they have excellent mental skills.

Players can improve their own mental skills by doing regular brain workouts, eating healthy brain foods, exercising and sleeping enough.