Before we get into the nuts and bolts of poker, let's go over some common misconceptions about the game:
1. Winners always win.
Even the very best players in the world get crushed on a semi-regular basis. Everyone -- and I mean everyone -- loses. There's a big element of chance in poker, and while you can adopt strategies of play that ensure a long-term profit, you can still have a tough night ... or series of nights. Losing streaks happen, and you need to be prepared for them.
2. Poker is all about picking up your opponents' "tells" and having a good poker face.
Get this idea out of your head immediately. Yes, the ability to read body language does play a part in advanced poker, but not as much as you might think. And of course in online play, the art of reading tells is pretty much useless -- you could skip around naked, screaming "boo-ya" at the top of your lungs, and nobody would know. Your time is much better spent learning the ins and outs of actual game play.
3. Poker is all about bluffing.
No question, the bluff is a hugely important part of poker. But again, it's not nearly as important as you might think.
Chances are you'll start your poker career playing for low stakes at a place like Party Poker. At these tables, most people just don't fold, so bluffing won't get you very far. Also, the structure of limit play makes bluffing problematic.
Now that you know what to forget, let's talk about what you need to learn. Of course you have to know the rules of limit Texas hold'em. But just because you understand the rules doesn't mean you know how to play the game.
Beginning players are often overwhelmed by how much information they have to process, and process quickly, in the very middle of game play. The key is to focus on what's important.
That's what this guide is all about. We'll teach you what questions you need to be asking yourself constantly, and we'll even provide you with a few of the answers. First up: What style of play is the right style for you?
