If you are playing a game of poker for money, your betting strategy is just as important as your playing strategy. The more you know about betting, the better your odds will be for walking away from the table with cash in your pocket. There are five basic rules to betting that will help you form your own strategy.
Five Tips for Better Betting
1. Do not bet more then you can afford. Poker tables can be exciting places, full of energy. It can be tempting to become a high roller, but if you are not one, you should not bet as if you are. Most of us go to the casino with a set bankroll that we can spend. Do not bet more then you can afford.
2. Spread out your bankroll. If you have a set bankroll, determine how much you can spend on each hand by gauging how long you would like to remain gambling. Try to spread your bankroll out as long as possible to keep you in the game. If you start out with smaller bets, you can increase to larger bets once you start winning and your bankroll gets higher.
3. Learn to gauge your opponent. Gauging your opponent can be a difficult skill to master, and it is never a perfect science. You may think your opponent is bluffing, but that does not necessarily mean they are. However, but studying up on bluffing techniques and other poker tells, you can at least estimate your opponents next move. This will help you bet smarter.
4. Know when to raise. It is vital that you know when to raise and when to call in poker. Some players are tempted to raise on every hand, even if that hand does not seem to be that promising. Other players almost never raise for fear of loosing their bet. A better strategy is to do both. Raise when you feel confident in either your hand or the lack of a hand in your opponent. Do not raise when it is clear that the hand you are holding is likely going nowhere.
5. Know when to fold. It is also vital that you know when to fold. Players have a hard time determining when to fold. Some players never want to fold, while other players are tempted to fold on every hand. It is important to learn that some hands just cannot be won, and you should fold. However, it is also important to know when not to fold. If you panic and fold more times then not, you will not ever win any money.