Learn 11 Best World Series of Poker Tips and Tricks
The World Series of Poker is not just only a game of luck, but it also requires a proper poker strategy, skills, and understanding of the rules of Poker and Poker Terms. Whether you are playing Texas Holdem, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, 3 Card Poker or any other, you must know the Game.
From my own experience of Poker and the interviews of top poker players like Phil Ivey, I have researched and gathered some poker tips and tricks that will not only enhance your Gameplay as well as increase your odds of winning the Game, but first, you will need WSOP free chips to play and practice the Game.
Understanding the basics of Poker
To understand the tips and tricks, you must know and understand some basics of Poker Rules.
The Goal of Poker
The main goal of Poker is always to win a pot, which means all the money or chips in the middle can be won either by having the best cards or by making your opponents leave using your betting skills.
Hand Rankings of Poker
You must learn and memorize the Poker hands rankings from the best card combinations to the lowest because it will help you figure out whether you have good cards to play or not. Understanding poker hand rankings is critical. Here’s a quick refresher from strongest to weakest hands:
- Royal Flush – A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit (e.g., A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠).
- Straight Flush – Five consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 9♦ 8♦ 7♦ 6♦ 5♦).
- Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same rank (e.g., A♣ A♦ A♥ A♠ 5♣).
- Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., K♥ K♦ K♠ 7♣ 7♦).
- Flush – Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence (e.g., J♠ 9♠ 6♠ 4♠ 2♠).
- Straight – Five consecutive cards of different suits (e.g., 10♦ 9♣ 8♠ 7♥ 6♦).
- Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same rank (e.g., Q♠ Q♦ Q♥ 5♠ 8♣).
- Two Pair – Two pairs of different ranks (e.g., J♦ J♣ 4♥ 4♠ 9♦).
- One Pair – Two cards of the same rank (e.g., 10♠ 10♦ 7♣ 5♥ 2♠).
- High Card – When no other hand is made, the highest card plays (e.g., A♠ 10♦ 7♣ 4♠ 2♥).
Tip: Memorizing these rankings allows you to make quick decisions during intense gameplay.
Betting Round
You must have a good understanding of poker rounds, when to raise, when to bet and when to fold because this will help you bluff your opponents as well as save your money.
Table Positions
You must understand the player’s positions on the table because the player who plays last can have information by analyzing his opponent’s moves.
Poker Tips and Tricks for WSOP
Select a Game that fits your Skills and Stakes
Every player knows himself and their skill level in Poker, so you must select a table according to your skills and stakes. Please don’t rush to choose a table with high stakes, as it may have players whose skill level could be far better than yours, and the chances of your loss will be high. Try to select a table which suits your stake and the players with low skills so the chances of winning maximize for you.
Tip: Stick to a table where you think have weaker players, this will increase your chances of maximizing profits.
Practice
A lot of people think that Poker is all about luck. I have been playing Poker for the last 2 years, and from that experience, I have learned that Poker is not just a Game of luck; it requires strategy, understanding rules, and, most important of all pr, being active.
You can learn Poker from the world’s top players but you will not get skills and experience until you practice it by yourself. There is a quote, “Practice makes a man perfect.” So, you must practice and learn from your mistakes and observe other players.
Example: Phil Ivey himself spent thousands of hours practicing in smaller games before moving to high-stakes poker.
Betting Tips
In betting, you have to make some decisions like when to check, when to raise or when to fold. It would help if you observed other players’ behavior. Like if your turn is last, you have to observe which players check, raise and fold.
This will give you an idea that if the player has some good cards, he will raise, and if the person has average cards, he will check. So, the right decision at the right time can lead you to greater wins. Take your bets on your cards and your opponent’s moves.
Bluff Wisely
Bluffing can make you win even if you don’t have good cards but do it wisely. Bluffing is basically making your opponents believe that you have the best cards, and they make them think about their cards.
For example, if you play, like when you have good cards, you raise the bet, and when you think you have bad cards, you check or fold, and your opponents also get an idea of your Gameplay. But at some point when you get bad cards and still bluff your opponents by raising the bet, they will think you have the best cards and will leave. But you must use it wisely and don’t let your opponents realize the pattern of your Gameplay.
Tip: Bluff against the right opponents. New players often call bets even when they have weak hands, so bluffing against them is less effective.
Find opportunities
In Poker, you can not always win, even if you have good cards. You need to carefully analyze the Game, your opponent’s moves etc. Because you can win even with low cards by bluffing your opponents. You need to understand their strategy, and you must know where to fold and where to bluff. It would be best if you learned from your mistakes. Look for opportunities and make your strategy accordingly.
Read the board and community cards
You must keep an eye on the community cards and remember the hand rankings because this will give you an idea of the strength of your cards. And you will know which hand you have, and then you can bet accordingly.
Observe Opponents Moves
It would be best if you observed opponents even when you have already folded your cards. Try to analyze their strategy and playing behavior, like when they are raising when they are folding, and make your strategy accordingly because these things will help you understand their pattern. You will be able to guess their card strength.
Raise Bet Wisely
Don’t rush and raise the bet because you will face many events where you will think you can raise and win easily, but that can be a bluff from your opponents. Raise wisely by keeping your stakes in mind.
Example: Raising from an early position requires a stronger hand than raising from the button (late position), where you can see how others act first.
Only call when you can raise
Never underestimate your opponents only when you are sure that you have the best hand and you can make your opponents draw out. You will not lose because most of the time, your opponents try to bluff you, so you make your decision in a hurry and lose.
Don’t be afraid to fold.
Never hesitate to fold; always listen to your instincts; if you think you have the best hand, play with it, and if you think you have a bad hand, just fold. Because no one can get good cards every time, and most of the time, folding is the best option to do. Sometimes, players who do not fold become easy targets for experienced players.
Tip: If a tight player suddenly makes a large bet, they likely have a strong hand—folding could save your bankroll.
Winning and losing are part of the Game.
You can never always win; sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, and the actual winner learns from his loss and enjoys his win with others. Always try to behave gently as you want others to behave with you because no one wants to play with the players who can not own their loss.
Phil Ivey’s WSOP Strategy Tips
Phil Ivey is the biggest Poker player of all time. Everyone who plays Poker must have heard the name Phil Ivey. For the past 20 years, he has dominated not only the physical but also online Poker. He has won about 10 WSOP Bracelets and more than $31,377,928 in live tournaments. In his interview with “Joey Ingram,” he told the 3 most important tips to play World Series Poker.
- Don’t play over your head: Stick to a bankroll that won’t affect you emotionally or financially.
- Work on your routine: Get proper rest and maintain focus during long poker sessions.
- Surround yourself with people to help you improve: This helps refine your skills and improve faster.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overvaluing Mediocre Hands
Don’t get overwhelmed too easily by seeing your cards like a pair or ace. Always wait to see the cards on the table and keep checking your opponent’s moves because having a pair doesn’t mean you can win. So, make your decisions carefully.
Failing to Manage Your Bankroll
Always try to play within your bankroll, even if you have a lot of left. Sometimes, people start playing carelessly just because they have a big bankroll left because, most of the time, these types of people are targeted. So you must pay the same attention throughout the Game; it doesn’t matter if you have left low stakes or high. Make a budget and stick with it.
Playing When Emotional
Never play if you are not in a constant mind state. Emotions play a very important part in everything we do in our daily lives especially while playing Poker. If you think you are losing your mind, take a break and then come back because your opponents are experienced. They can take advantage of your emotions, and you will end up losing everything.
Tip: Professional players like Daniel Negreanu practice mindfulness techniques to stay calm under pressure.
