First of all, the biggest mistake you can make as a new poker player is being overly excited and playing too many hands. The biggest decision you will have to make starting out is choosing to act on a starting hand. Also, you need to always be conscious of your position with the dealer because you’ll need a strong hand to act in an early position, since there will be more players in a position to act after you who may raise the pot or re-raise the pot. Be patient and wait for that powerful starting hand from the right position. The player who sits to the left of the big blind plays first, before the flop is dealt. This player and the two players at his left are all in early position. The three subsequent players are in middle position and the ones remaining are sitting in late position. Novice players should play tight hands in order to build a decent foundation for you to work from.
In early position, raise with the following hands: A-A, K-K, and A-K suited. Call with the following hands: A-K, A-Q suited, K-Q suited, and Q-Q, J-J, 10-10. Fold any other hand.
In middle position, call with the following hands: 9-9, 8-8, A-J suited, A-10 suited, Q-J suited, A-Q, and K-Q.
In late position, call with the following hands: Call with A-any card suited, K-10 suited, Q-10 suited, J-10 suited, A-J, A-10, and any small pair. You’ll need a strong hand to call a raise. If a player raises before your turn, fold to avoid putting in two bets on marginal hands.
Be wary, from any position, of playing any two suited cards or playing an Ace with a small kicker. These hands are traps and inevitably losers. Don’t get in the habit of playing these hands.
Also, don’t try to defend your blinds by calling all raises when you have weak hands. Once you post a blind, consider it gone. You don’t need to waste money on powerless hands. Don’t call when you are the small blind just because you are the small blind. Save that half bet for the next time you are small blind.
Your second big decision will be whether or not to play after the flop. If you don’t back out now with a marginal hand, it will cost you in the long run. The flop defines your hand as 71% of your hand is complete after the flop. If the flop does not improve your hand by creating a top pair or a straight or flush draw for you, and there is a bet before you, you should fold. Even if you are playing a small pair in late position, and you do not flop a set, just throw the pair away.
After the turn card is laid, and you believe you have the winning hand, then you should bet. But don’t make the mistake of getting fancy, check raising in this position because if other players check after you, you’ve lost one or two bets. In low limit, take the straightforward approach because many players will call you. Make them pay for their card; don’t give it to them for free.
Furthermore, don’t make the mistake of waiting for a miracle card to fall on the river. As for the river, if you are still here, only call if you think you can win. Finally, lean to pay attention to your opponents and never reveal your hand if you do not have to. Practice, practice, practice.