Are you ready to learn poker in 5 minutes? Well, I hope so, because there is a lot to go over.
In recent times, poker has gained more and more popularity in both the live and online gambling worlds. Individuals who enjoy playing poker but do not have the opportunity to visit a land-based casino tend to play at an online casino, which offers them the same gambling experience.
In this regard, most people want to engage in poker but do not have the luxury of time to spend learning the game. This is why I put together this article to give you some tips and tricks for how you can learn poker in 5 minutes or less.
Basics of Playing Poker
Having a basic understanding of the rules that guide poker is the first step you need to take towards becoming a competent and skilled player.
Generally, poker is considered a game that consists of a deck of 52 cards. The main aim of the game is to either succeed in creating the highest-ranking hands or bluff other participants into folding their hands.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to have an in-depth understanding of these rankings, which include Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card.
The game continues as each participant takes turns in the clockwise direction, as they get the chance to bet, check, call, raise, or fold. The ultimate decision to make is then dependent on the strength of the player’s hand, their ability to read the table, and the actions of the other participants.
Another important aspect that must not be overlooked is the concept of positioning. Finding yourself in a relatively late position provides you with more advantages, as you get the chance to put together more information regarding the actions of other participants in the game before you end up making your final decision.
Furthermore, to be more proficient in poker, it is of utmost importance to be conversant with the specific rules of the variants you are interested in playing, which include Omaha or Texas Hold’em.
Because each of these variants comes with its own unique rules and gaming elements, it is advisable to have a perfect understanding of them all. With all these in mind, you are right on track on your poker journey with enough confidence.
5 Tips to Learn Poker In 5 Minutes
When it comes to playing poker, you might find various tips about what to do and what to avoid, but learning poker strategy and winning from it requires you to be able to point out what you need to learn while beginning your poker journey.
Therefore, if you are new to poker and want to learn it in 5 minutes, below are the top 5 tips you need to take into consideration.
Tip 1. Start With Low Stakes
Since most players these days do not seem to be interested in playing low games, you must be aware that your aim is to learn poker strategy and not squander your funds while doing that.
By starting at low stakes, you can feel more comfortable due to the awareness that the amount of money at stake is small and won’t hurt you.
Also, your skill level tends to increase each time you move up the stakes. So, you can wager against players who are on the same level as you rather than wasting your funds on participants who are quite better at the game. Before deciding to move up, ensure you have mastered the basics of poker strategy.
Tip 2. Play Tight but Aggressive
Lots of inexperienced players tend to make the mistake of opening several hands and playing too wide. So, it is advisable that you begin playing with only your strongest hand on a reduced side and refrain from making difficult decisions post-flop.
With this, you can play less and, at the same time, more aggressively when you eventually take your hands into action. Therefore, it is better to raise and bet rather than just call and put enough pressure on the other participants.
Tip 3. Focus On One Game
This is another important poker tip that every poker player must know. Since your goal is to have a better understanding of the game and focus on the information available, it is important to avoid multi-tabling for now and only play at one table.
This is a mistake I made earlier in my poker career. You should also ensure you take note of the other participants’ gameplay and their hands.
Through proper observation of all the actions being taken at the table, you can see what expert players are doing and will be able to learn from their gameplay. You might even be able to identify their mistakes along the way and then exploit them.
Tip 4. Play Only When in a Good Mood
When it comes to playing poker, emotions are known to be your greatest enemy. Although you might begin to feel sad or frustrated when you keep losing, avoid getting the worst of it by beginning to play when you are not in the right mood.
In most cases, professional players are even unable to make use of their top strategy when they are in a bad mood. Therefore, it is recommended that you stop playing immediately if you find yourself in such a scenario.
Tip 5. Take Your Time
Avoid making your decision automatically, as this can cause you to make certain mistakes that should not have happened.
Mostly when you are just starting the games and must think about quite a few actions to take, it can be somewhat overwhelming. This is why it is essential to consider sticking to just one table and ensuring you think well before coming to a final decision.
Top 3 Poker Sites Right Now
In order to assist you in choosing the best site to begin your journey to playing poker, I have reviewed these top 3 sites. As an individual who is new to poker, these top sites are, in my opinion, the best places to begin.
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker has over 250 different games available to gamers, including slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker, just to mention a few. They offer an amazing welcome bonus of up to $3000 plus 25 free spins on certain slots games.
However, the tournaments here are pretty awesome. If you’re lucky enough to make the final table in any of the guaranteed tournaments, the payouts can be huge. They offer up millions of dollars in monthly prizes with a chance to strike it big. You can also play in satellites to gain some of the bigger entry fees.
I am currently a regular at the mid-stakes cash games here. Some of the real-money poker games available include Quick Seat, Mobile Poker, Zone Poker, and lots more. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- Fair wagering requirements
- Live dealer poker rooms
- 24/7 customer service
- Offer low-stakes and high-stakes games.
Cons
- Rewards program not the greatest
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker was established in 2004 and has since provided punters with a wide range of casino games, including poker. They offer new users a 100% match-up bonus of up to $500, with certain terms and conditions. I currently frequent a lot of the tournaments on here on a monthly basis.
As a top poker site, some of the features available include live sports betting, a poker table, a mobile app, live dealers, and various bonuses and promotional offers. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Variety of poker tournaments
- Mobile casino
- Loyalty reward program
Cons
- 4 Tables at a time max
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline Poker is another solid poker site. They offer quite a variety of games. One of the most popular poker games available is No-limit Hold ‘Em, along with others including Omaha, Tri-card, Stud, and video poker.
For all of you who would love to play on this platform, you get to claim a welcome bonus and various other promotional offers. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- Mobile compatible app
- Acceptance of crypto payments
- Amazing bonus offer
Cons
- No PayPal deposit available
Final Thoughts
Sure, you can learn the game of poker in 5 minutes, but it takes a lifetime to master. The thing about playing this game is that it tends to evolve.
New playing styles and approaches to best play the game are always in flux. One tactic that may have worked at one point could now be obsolete.
The thing that will stand the test of time is how you approach and handle yourself while playing the game. You see, we can’t control what cards we get or the bad beats we will inevitably take playing this game.
The things that are in your control are your emotional state while playing and the sound of the poker game you’re playing.
What I mean is, are you making good bluffs, good laydowns, and value betting to get maximum value? There are so many little things to be aware of while playing in a session that if you get wrong, it could cost you a full buy-in.
Just remember that we’ve all thought we were the best at this game at one point or another. It’s time to put pride aside and accept that even the best in the world have losing sessions. Just focus on what’s in your control, and you will be fine long-term.
