Playing poker is a great way to keep your brain sharp.
Poker is a brilliant hobby for the brain and, if you get really good, then sometimes for the back pocket too. If you already know the rules and enjoy the odd game here or there then perhaps it is time to start taking your hobby a little more seriously. It could be that you want to wow your friends at a poker night, or it could be that you aim to win a proper tournament. Whatever your reasons for wanting to take your hobby to the next level, here are some tips on how.
Practice Playing Poker Online
A great way to gain some experience at the poker table is by playing online. Of course, here in Australia you can’t join in with the real money tournaments. However, if you’re lucky enough to be over in the United States then places like Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey allow you to play poker online. Overseas you’ll be able to enter the online tournaments in the World Series of Poker, amongst others, so it’s no wonder that many Australians are traveling abroad to play casino games.
However, for those of us who are firmly on Australian soil, there’s still a lot to be gained from playing online. One of the major reasons that people get rusty at their favorite hobbies is that they wait to practice or play with other people. Being able to play online means that you don’t have to wait for anybody to get brushing up on those skills; simply sign up to a site and away you go.
Study the Pros
They say the best way to learn is by doing, but it never hurts to do a little watching as well. YouTube has hundreds of thousands of poker channels, each providing endless content about this beautiful game. If you want to look at how professionals handle nerves in the closing rounds, you’ll be able to find a video for it; if you want to practice spotting tells, there’s a video for that too. Want to get a better idea of how tournaments play out in real life? You’ve guessed it, there’s a video for that.
Spend a while scrolling through a few clips and remember to like or follow the creators of the ones that you enjoy. Pretty soon you’ll have a whole bank full of interesting and informative clips to watch. Next time you find yourself with a spare five minutes, you can have a learning experience that’s just a couple of clicks away.
Hold a Poker Night
Caption: Creating the feeling of a casino is as simple as finding a great playlist and dimming the lights.
So you’ve been practicing online, you’ve scoured YouTube for all the information it has to offer, and you feel like you’re ready to put that hard work into practice. A good way to boost your confidence is to invite your friends over for a poker night. Being in the comfort of your own home with people that you know and love will ensure you’re feeling ready to play your best game.
Make sure that everybody is familiar with the rules, get a few snacks and drinks ready, maybe make a casino themed playlist, and let loose! Poker nights are not only the perfect way to get into the tournament mindset, but they’re great for catching up with old mates. Remember that hobbies are supposed to be fun, so wherever you want your poker playing to take you, that should be at the forefront of your mind.
