Tips From Online Poker Players

We live in a post-UIGEA world. Once the US government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006, this law more-or-less crippled the online poker industry. In 2011, it led to the US Department of Justice seizing some of the most famous poker domains. The event sent shockwaves around the gambling world, and no one thought things will ever be the same again. However, online poker now seems to be experiencing a second boom period, with multiple research firms reporting a surge in user activity of over 25%.

Therefore, 2021 seems like the perfect time to try out or get back into the most popular card game ever. The number of quality real money poker sites is super-high, and so is the wealth of knowledge online regarding this pastime/money-making endeavor.

Below we do not get into advanced strategies on how to get rich when playing poker. We list simple stuff that often gets overlooked, nuggets of wisdom from some of the game’s greatest minds. The same as us, these pros advise that you do not get consumed with learning complex tactics before having a firm grasp on poker’s most basic concepts.

Start Small – John Eames

John Eames, also known as Eddie Eames, is a UK native currently residing in Southport, England. He began playing poker online in the early-2000s before moving onto the live scene in 2007. During his live tournament run, Eames has amassed over $2,2 million in prize money, which has led him to a top 50 UK ranking. His single biggest triumph came in 2014 when he snagged $290,000 in a Vegas tournament.

John suggests that – “When starting in online poker, play for tinier amounts. The little monster in your head will tell you to play higher, but that will only lead you to lose too much money fast. You have to give yourself a chance to gain experience.” So, you should kick off your poker adventure using baby steps, not overstepping your means. The first few times you play, your brain is analyzing patterns and crafting your approach to poker. Let it work.  

Never Play When You Are Tired – Richard Trigg

Richard Rick Trigg is another UK native, hailing from Sheffield, England. In October of 2019, Trigg took down the prestigious Devilfish Cup in Nottingham, scooping up a reward of $250,000, boosting his career earnings to $8.8 million. You can find him on online poker platforms under the moniker – thecalimeer, and he is also one of the rare Grosvenor-sponsored poker players. For the uninformed, Grosvenor is the largest casino brand in the UK.

Richard will tell you that you should always get a good night’s sleep before sitting at both real-world and virtual tables and never play if you are not 100% into a game. According to him – “I have learned the hard way that you should never play tired. When I am tired, I start not to care if I win. So prepare, be sharp and focused, and make sure you are full of energy when you play.”

Learn From Other Player’s Mistakes – Matthew Ashton

Matthew Ashton is a poker pro from Liverpool who plays under the name – MUSTAFABET. He is most known for becoming the second British champion of the WSOP Series, winning its 2013 edition and taking home a grand prize of $1.7 million for his five-day effort. He is Liverpool’s most accomplished player with career earnings of close to $3 million.

Matthew believes that you should use your downtime in-between hands to absorb information by monitoring what other players on your table are doing, which will help you grow. He says – “Pay attention. Watching and thinking about why every person is doing what they’re doing is great for considering how you should play in the future.”

You Cannot Escape Failure – Chris Moneymaker

Christopher Bryan, better known as Chris Moneymaker, is a Tennessee native who changed the poker world forever. He was the first person to win a WSOP Main Event by making it to the grand stage via an online qualification process. Many experts think that this event massively contributed to the rise of online poker. That Chris’ $2.5 million 2003 win should get credited for starting the 2000s poker craze.

Chris made it onto the 2003 World Series of Poker by winning an $86 tournament at PokerStars. His career path was the fulfillment of every amateur poker player’s dream. However, Chris notes that – “Failure will be up to 85% of your job, on average.” So, it was not an easy road for Chris before and after his big win. His second-largest prize was a $300,000 second-place finish in the NBC National Heads-Up Championship. Though, his overall poker career has been more-or-less uneventful, following his milestone victory. Thus, he suggests that you may brace yourself for failure and not get too disappointed when cards do not go in your favor.

Strong Fundamentals Will Win You Money – Chris Moorman

As of January of 2021, Chris Moorman has notched up close to $24 million in online and live tournament winnings, and he has a WSOP bracelet to his name. Moorman has been playing professionally for over a decade and has racked up 30 Online Poker Triple Crowns. In 2014, he was the number one ranked online poker player and the all-time leader in overall internet tournament earnings, accumulating prize money whose total goes over $14 million.

Moorman claims that you do not have to be a math whiz to succeed at poker, but that – “you need to know the absolute basics, such as equity, pot-odds, and so on.” In his opinion, to be a decent player, you do not have to implement crazy tactics. All you have to do is grasp the fundamentals and be consistent about executing some standard plays.

Poker is All Theory, So Know Your Math – Liv Boeree

Speaking of math, the only female to win both an EPT event and a WSOP bracelet, Liv Boeree agrees that you need some basic understanding of number patterns to be successful. Boeree thinks that – “the mathematical fundamentals of poker are 85% theory and 15% psychology.” Given that she has an Honors degree in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Manchester and has won close to $4 million playing poker, we have no reason to doubt that what she says is true.

Live Boeree is a three-time European Player of the year (2014,2015,2016), and going by career earnings, she sits at the number five spot on the female all-time live list. In 2019, she walked away from professional poker, with 20 WSOP money finishes to her name.

Analyzing Timing Is Crucial to Predicting Opponent Behavior – Arshad Siddiqui

Florida-based Arshad Siddiqui, more known under the moniker Sheddy, is an experienced poker pro that has played in live tournaments across the US and has competed in several WSOP events in the mid-2010s. He has since stepped away from public games, but occasionally, he still plays online.

When playing on the internet, Sheddy leans more toward timing than attempting to figure his opponent’s intentions. He says that – “You must pay attention to how your opponent acts in the game, what do they do when they get raised. Do they four-bet you? Or do they call all the time? These things will give you an idea of what they are capable of, so you can predict how they’re going to react.”

Do More Than Just Play – Jaime Staples

If you are under 30-years-old and into poker, you have likely heard of Canadian Jaime Staples. He is one of the most popular poker Twitch streamers, with his channel PokerStaples, amassing an audience of some 140,000 followers. He also has a YouTube channel that bears the same name, with over 80,000 people subscribed to enjoy his content. As of 2020, Staples has earned well over $1 million online and over $135,000 in live tournaments.

In one of his more popular YouTube videos, Jaime advises that – “If you want to achieve that next level, you have to do more than go out there and get in hands. You can also improve your game while you are away from the table. I akin it to golf. If all you do is play on the course, you will not notice any improvements to your stroke. However, if you spend adequate time on the range, you will see it get better over time. So, consider more than just playing. Talk to friends, read books, watch live streams, and more.”

Final Piece of Wisdom

Remember, when starting, learning bankroll management is as essential as understanding the rules of the game. Before analyzing buy-in amounts, you should understand how to maximize your chances for success, and a crucial aspect of that is knowing how to handle your funds. Treat your bankroll as an investment. Continuously reloading your funds is a sign that you lack discipline. Playing with a set amount makes you more focused on assessing every situation and looking for value in every decision. Newbies should look for games with the lowest rake and never be afraid to drop down in stakes. Sometimes this is a needed move on the road to rebuilding your confidence and replenishing your bankroll. Also, keep track of your money with dedicated poker software, and keep your playing cash separate from everyday spending money.

About the Author

Shelly Schiff is an online table expert that has been writing about interactive gaming since 2009. She currently works for the internet’s premium iGaming info hub – OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com, but over her career has also provided content for countless other websites. Table games aside, Shelly has a passion for slots and is knee-deep into the world of crypto gambling. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Garry, and watching pre-1960s movies.