Texas Hold’em Poker is a very popular Poker game all over the world. However, there are many myths associated with it. Beginners need to be aware of such myths.

1- Big Gains from Small Risks

You can make a lot of money by only investing a limited amount of money is a big misconception about poker. For example, on blackjack, roulette or craps, a player in a casino could probably only make a limited amount of money, but it is in his belief that if he gets fortunate there is essentially an unlimited sum of profit to be made in poker.

This is possible in theory. On a $1/$1 cash game you could sit down, double up and move to higher stakes, repeating this step constantly. Actually, it does not work in practice. You will eventually hit a wall, either by pure bad luck or bad playing, even if you are playing the most perfect poker in the world.

One of the most important elements that any poker guide will stress is have good bankroll management. For playing any stakes have at least 50 buy-ins. In actual figures, that means that be prepared to have at least $5,000 as your starting bankroll, before sitting down and playing on a $1/$1 cash games.

2 – I am fond of poker, I watch it on TV!

Most TV shows about poker consist of tournaments such as the World Poker Tour, the European Poker Tour or the World Series of Poker. With only a very small percentage of hands actually receiving TV time, these tournament’s usually last for days. Basically this denotes that, not only are you not seeing the complete form and context of the game but can verify misleading since it would appear to be an action packed game where players play any two hands and are continuously all-in.

In reality, the players do not even see the flop, due to pre-flop raises in most tournament pots. Tournament play is very different to cash game play and this is something one needs to keep in mind. Many of the plays used in tournament poker are considered very wrong in cash games, therefore simulating your favorite players on TV, could cost you in a cash game.

Lately there have been more and more cash game programs such as Poker After Dark or High Stakes Poker. Once again, on TV, the full spectrum of hands played is not presented thus you miss out on the bigger picture. Some of the best poker players in the world are included which is another problem that arises from these shows.

It could be very costly if you are trying to play a hand as they do in the wrong situation. If you do not have a profound understanding for the game, and do not quite understand why a particular player acted in the according way, then better stick to the fundamentals!

Be Sociable, Share!