Friends and people around me have asked me many questions about playing poker and that’s why I thought that it would be good to answer it in a plain and simple blog.

Here are some points that you need to consider when you play poker:
1.) Do I play for fun?
2.) Do I play to win?
3.) Do I play to learn?
4.) How can I get better?
5.) What is my goal?

For sure, I am not the best online poker specialist but I have played many hours online and even more live tournaments so I have build up some experience over the years and I think I am able to compare live and online poker. And I do like to share it with you so maybe you can pick something up that helps you to improve your game, to have more fun and/or to win more.

I will not get in to details about Ace-King under the gun, or a suited one-gapper on the button, or the percentage to win that particular hand. Almost anyone can do the math and tell you these things nowadays and new young starting players know the odds already. Two plus two have and will always be four, no matter in what language, or at what age. And poker is basically a game of skill. We all know that.

Here is what I can and will tell you about the 5 points above:

1.) Do I play for fun?
When you are playing for fun you have to make sure that you don’t play bigger than that you can afford. So, don’t play over your budget (bankroll management), don’t play the game that can hurt you or will effect your financial situation. Don’t play because you just want to play, and make sure you understand the game. Don’t think that you are not lucky enough to win. Don’t think that the cards will get better anytime soon. Just play that hand or do not. Play when you have time to do so and play the right hand every time. So take it as it is. Enjoy the game you play at all times and see it as a challenge.

2.) Do I play to win?
When you play to win you should try to beat your opponents with the experience you have under your belt. Have the cards come your way and learn the basics, mathematics and percentage of the hand you play. Get to know your opponents and learn how to do that as fast as possible. Be prepared to fold good hands and be able to attack with bad hands (sometimes). Dare to make a stand and a bluff and dare to risk in order to play the hand correctly. Never complain and learn from the past.

3.) Do I play to learn?
If you play to learn it is the same as in real live. You need to be careful and make good decisions by calculating and preparing. You should be ready to stand a hit and every session is like a school day. See it as a learning moment when you look back at the hands you have played and analyze the outcome, whether the outcome is good or bad.  

4.) How can I get better?
Every poker player want to get better and for some of us the learning curve is a bit steeper than for others but the most important thing is that you need to be humble and admit to yourself that you need to improve your game in order to get better. Analyze your game and use the outcome in your next session. If you don’t see a direct result, try again, and again, and again but also dare to change your style of play. Make sure you have enough time to work on your game without the pressure of bills that have to be paid and last but not least: Always play small to win big!

5.) What is my goal?
In order to answer this question you should think of a goal first and make a schedule to achieve your goal. Think about the steps you need to make and my advice to all of you is to play as small as possible and to try to win seats for big events by playing qualifiers, steps or even freerolls.

I hope you all can find something in this that helps you to improve your game

Good luck, have fun and enjoy the music.

Marcel Luske
Team PokerStars Pro