Many gamers come to the casino to play poker. Poker, perhaps more than any other game, encapsulates the atmosphere of casino entertainment. With the clattering of chips, the shuffling sounds of decks of cards and the cheers of winners, poker is the game that says “casino” to a large percentage of gambling aficionados.
Many poker enthusiasts prefer to play poker because it’s more than just a game of chance. To succeed at poker you need to combine skill, strategy, and psychology. Slotocash online casino features poker variations that offer opportunities for everyone to get the most out of their poker adventure.
Upping the Game
Whether you're a novice poker competitor who is just starting out or a seasoned player who’s preparing to invest time and energy to reach the next level of poker competition, check out Slotocash’s basic guide where you can learn key strategies and techniques – plus some secrets -- that will help you become a better poker player
You’ll find guidelines and insights to aid you as you learn to master the art of poker plus some suggested tips from the poker world’s top players!
Poker
Poker is one of the casino’s most popular games. Modern poker is believed to have originated in 16th and 17th century Europe as a variation of a Chinese dice-card game that had been introduced to Europe by the returning traveler Marco Polo. Other theories state that poker is a modern version of the As Nas Persian card game.” By the 1500s “Poque" was being played in France, "Pochspiel" (or “Pochen”) in Germany and “Primero” in Spain. Each of these games involved elements of betting and bluffing which are still fundamental aspects of today’s poker.
Poker arrived in America in the 19th century. French settlers introduced it to their Mississippi River settlements and Western pioneers took it on the trail to the American West. During America’s Civil War (1861-1865) both Union and Confederate soldiers played poker which contributed to its growing popularity around the country. Poker games could often be found running in saloons and gambling halls. Some of the West’s most legendary figures, including Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, were rumored to be skilled poker players.
As poker spread, it was adopted by casinos who started to introduce different poker variations, each with its own rules and conventions. Those rules started to become standardized with Vegas casinos’ poker tables. In the early years, poker players had their choice of draw poker or stud poker but over time, different variants including Omaha Poker, Texas Hold'em Poker and Seven Card Stud Poker began to dominate. The popularity of these different poker types soon eclipsed original Draw Poker and are generally the main types of poker offered at today’s land-based casinos.
Becoming a Better Poker Player
Today, you can find different types of poker at brick-and-mortar casinos with more poker variations at the online casino. Professional poker players make guidebooks available to give amateur players direction to enable to them to experience higher levels of success. Some rules, strategies, tips and tricks for becoming a better poker player:
- Basics – If you want to develop your poker skills, you need to understand the basics. Slow and easy is the key to winning. Keep your gaming sessions short because the longer you play, the higher your chances of hitting a losing streak. To start, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with hand rankings and betting structures. Become familiar with some of the different variations of poker such as Texas Hold 'em Poker, Seven-Card Stud, Omaha Poker and others so you know the odds of each variation. Understanding the fundamentals of each poker type will give you the foundation upon which you can build your skills.
- Study – You won’t become a better player if you don’t invest in some study time. There are different styles and approaches to playing poker and it’s important to explore those if you want to improve. Look for some of the available resources – there are books, online tutorials, and strategy forums that are easily accessible where you can learn basic strategy. Once you’ve mastered the basic strategy, you should take time to review advice from pros to hear their suggestions regarding how to approach different situations. It’s also worthwhile to analyze the hands played by experienced professionals and review the reasoning behind their decisions.
If you’re planning to play as a VIP, you might want to hire a coach who can provide personalized guidance or invest in poker training software.
- Odds – Poker is a game of probability. To be sure that you’re making the most informed decisions, you’ll need to learn poker odds so you know which odds favor which situations. Explore concepts such as implied odds, expected value (EV) and pot odds. If you are more of aware of these terms and what they imply you’ll know when to call, when to fold and when to raise. Basically, you want to know how to improve your hand relative to the potential payoff.
- Fundamentals – The key to succeeding at poker is consistency which comes from strong fundamentals. Focus on fundamentals such as hand selection and position play. Learn how to stay away from marginal situations where the odds are not in your favor. Your decisions should be well-thought-out and disciplined.
- Bankroll – You might think that new players are most at risk of forgetting budget management but in truth, veteran players are just as likely to risk their bankroll. To ensure long-term sustainability as a poker player, make it your practice to decide on your poker wagering budget and stick to it. Never play with money you can't afford to lose. Keep away from situations in which you might find yourself chasing losses. By managing your bankroll properly, you’ll withstand the ups and downs of the game over the long term.
- Practice – Practice may not make perfect but it’s an essential component of improving your poker game. If you dedicate time to practicing you can do this both in-person and online. Start with low-stakes games to gain confidence and experience. When you’re proficient at that level, you can move up. Review your hands and take notes on your performance in order to identify areas for improvement. By honing your skills and refining your strategies, you'll become a more proficient and successful poker player.
Becoming a better poker player takes study, dedication and practice. Perseverance and determination are your keys to unlocking your full potential and achieving success at the poker table.
