30 Beginner Poker Advice

Just random things to be aware of for learning poker

Feb 27, 2026

Random Observation/Comment #924: *In accent* Check. Check. Check.

//Clembot playing poker - made by Nano Banana

Why this List?

We have a pretty solid bi-weekly/monthly poker group. It’s a friendly cash game with a one or twice a year tournament. Super friendly and fun where we drink more than we play.

I’ve known how to play poker since college days, but I don’t think I really played consistently until we started playing here in Denver. Highly recommended for getting to see some local dads.

Know the Suit order - Three of a kind beats two pair. A flush beats a straight. All 5 cards count. If you’re bringing a printed out chart then the table will smell blood.
Math is your only real friend - You don’t need to be a human calculator, but you need to know that “feeling it in your gut” is probably not going to happen.
The Rule of 2 and 4 - This is the secret menu for mental math. Multiply your “outs” by 2 on the turn or 4 on the flop to get your winning percentage. An “out” is the cards you’re looking for to give you a better hand.
Outs aren’t just numbers - If you’re chasing a straight and need a 6, you have 4 outs (if you assume no other 6s were dealt already). That’s a roughly 12% chance on the next card. Recognize those thin margins before you bet the house.
Reading people isn’t magic - Look for patterns, not “tells.” If the guy in the hoodie only bets when he has a monster, believe him the first time. We definitely have people in our group that likes to bluff or do the $1/$2/$4 bets on a $0.50 big blinds.
The Check-Trap - Checking when you have a powerhouse hand is the ultimate “I’m just a harmless lamb” move. It happens quite a bit to trap people by being a pattern/anti-pattern.
Betting size matters - Betting 1/4 of the pot looks weak, but betting 3x the pot looks desperate. Finding that “value bet” sweet spot is an art form.
Cash games are our social favorites - You can buy back in, grab a drink, and play “honest” poker. We definitely drink the cost of more alcohol than we play. I also don’t know if lying for three hours straight has been anyone’s strategy.
The “Honest” Player - Some people physically cannot lie. They are great to have at the table because when they bet, you can just safely fold and save your money. We also love the talkative players that like to Negreanu guess people’s hands.
The “Bluff-Machine” - We all have that one friend who thinks they’re in a James Bond movie. Let them bluff their stack into your pocket.
The Color Confusion - Shout out to the home game hosts who use identical shades of orange and salmon for different chip values. It’s unintentional psychological warfare (and we all got used to it).
Respect the Muck - If you’re beaten, just toss the cards face down. Showing a losing hand is like showing your “D” grade on a math test that nobody asked for. It’s a bit embarrassing. As a newbie, you definitely don’t want to turn over and see what cards they have. As our Brazilian neighbor says, “You’d get shot in the favellas for that one.”
The Head-to-Head Etiquette - When the table goes quiet and it’s just two of you, keep it classy. We usually don’t slow-roll winning hands in a heads up, but it happens.
Position is power - Being the last to act is like seeing the other person’s cards before you have to decide. Never underestimate the “Button.”
Don’t chase the “Inside Straight” - It’s the “Get Rich Quick” scheme of poker. It rarely works, but when it does, you feel like a genius for about five minutes.
The Turn is the tipping point - This is where the bets get real and the “maybe I’ll hit it” crowd starts to sweat. I think most people usually play the blinds just to see the cards to maybe hit something unusual.
The River is final - There are no more miracles coming. If you don’t have it now, you better be a really good actor.
Watch the “Limpers” - People who just call the minimum bet are usually waiting for a miracle. It’s fine to limp in if you want to contribute to the pot, but winning on the River is super lucky.
Bankroll your ego - Don’t play at a table where the “small blind” is the cost of your weekly groceries. You’ll play scared, and scared money always loses. Also, if you’re just starting, don’t play at a casino. I don’t even think casinos are that fun with friends.
The “Pot Odds” shortcut - If there’s $100 in the pot and it costs $10 to see the next card, the math says you should probably stay in. It’s basic bargain hunting.
Don’t show your cards for free - Information is expensive. If they want to see what you had, make them pay the “call” to find out. Most people show their cards if they like to brag on a bluff or if they really had the nuts.
The “Tilt” Factor - If you lose a big hand on a fluke, then take a lap. Playing angry is just a fast way to donate your remaining chips.
Small Tournaments are the best classroom - For $60, you get a few hours of experience without the risk of losing your rent money.
Identify the “Aggressor” - Someone at the table is going to be the bully (especially if they’re chip leader). Figure out who it is so you can stay out of their way (or set a trap).
Mental Math for the River - Remember that by the river, the “3% per out” rule is your final check-up. If the odds aren’t there, then walk away.
The “House Rules” Homage - Yes, we drink when everyone’s anted in on a hand as the “social”. Yes, we also do payouts for whomever hits a 4-of-a-kind, straight flushes, and royal flushes.
Folding is a winning strategy - You win more money by not losing it on bad hands than you do by winning “big” pots with 7-2 off-suit. (It is pretty fun to play 7-2 off suit though).
Develop a nervous tick like chip stacking - I’ve stacked so many chips that my fingers hurt. You definitely get a lot of practice throughout the game.
Enjoy the game - At the end of the day, it’s just cards and chips. If you aren’t laughing, then you’re doing it wrong.
Randomly say “Rounders” lines - “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour, then you’re the sucker.” Classic.