How to Increase Your Win Rate in Poker: A Beginners Guide

Tired of losing more hands than you win?

While becoming a winning poker player takes work, it’s definitely doable. Today, we’ll break down some poker skills you need to level up your game. We’ll cover smart studying, effective practice, bankroll management, and more.

Once you’re done reading, you’ll have the tools to crush your competition at the tables. 

So, let’s get started!

The Importance of Study and Practice

Study and practice are the bread and butter of successful poker player. Think of it like any other skill – the more you train, the better you get.

So, set aside time for studying before every session – reviewing concepts or watching a training video beforehand can make a noticeable difference in your play. A good rule of thumb for a beginner is to study 70% of the time and play 30%.

Essentially, as your skill level improves the less you need to study. For example, advanced players usually study around 20% of the time.  After each session, review your hands, both wins and losses. Assessing your strengths and weaknesses is crucial for growth. 

Finding the Right Resources

There’s a wealth of poker knowledge available online. Start with poker strategy articles and blogs from sites like PokerListings. Watch training videos from top pros, and take courses from reputable sites like Upswing Poker, MasterClass (featuring legends like Phil Ivey and D Negs), or PokerCoaching.com. 

In addition, many training sites offer pre-flop charts based on Game Theory Optimal (GTO). As you go, begin to memorize different spots – learning optimal pre-flop strategy is a game changer.

Streaming platforms like Twitch are also a goldmine of poker content. You can watch how poker pros navigate different situations. They’ll often talk through their thinking process, and an insight into a pro’s mind in real-time is invaluable – a couple of great poker streamers are Spraggy and Lex Veldhuis.

Bankroll Management

Ultimately, bankroll management is one of the keys to a sustainable poker career. 

Poker, like any game of skill with an element of luck, is subject to variance – meaning you’ll experience upswings and downswings. Without proper bankroll management, even the most skilled players can go broke. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Keep a Proper Bankroll

Your bankroll is your poker lifeline. It’s the real money you’ve set aside for playing poker, separate from your living expenses. A proper bankroll allows you to withstand the inevitable downswings without risking financial ruin.

Recommended Bankroll Sizes for Cash Games:

Type	Amount
Conservative	100 buy-ins
Recommended	40 buy-ins
Risky	20 buy-ins

Recommended Bankroll Sizes for Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs):

Type	Amount
Conservative	100 buy-ins
Recommended	75 buy-ins
Risky	40 buy-ins

Example

If you want to play $1/$2 No-Limit Hold’em cash games, we recommend a bankroll of 40 buy-ins * $200 (buy-in amount) = $8,000.

If you’re just starting, opt for the conservative side.  Although, if you’re playing MTTs, your buy-in would depend on the field.

For example, if you’re playing large field tournaments of 1000+ people, the likelihood of winning is much slimmer, so you’d need a higher bankroll. Go for at least 200 buy-ins if the field is in the thousands.

2. Understand Variance and Downswings

Variance is the natural fluctuation of your results due to luck.

Even if you’re a winning player, you’ll still experience losing streaks. The key is not to panic during downswings but to trust your skills and stick to your strategy.

3. Set Win and Loss Limits

As a rule, set win and loss limits. If you reach your win limit, take a break or quit for the day. And if you hit your loss limit, walk away – chasing losses is a recipe for disaster.

4. Avoid Tilt and Emotional Decision-Making

Tilt is the poker player’s worst enemy. It’s the emotional state of frustration and anger that leads to poor decision-making.

When you feel yourself tilting, take a break, step away from the table, and come back when you’re in a clearer headspace.

Finding Your Winning Game

To find the right games your goal is simple: find games where you have an edge over your opponents. Think of it like choosing the right pond to fish in–you want a pond teeming with fish, not one where the sharks are circling.

As a beginner, don’t be tempted to jump into high-stakes games. Start at the lowest stakes available, where the competition is generally softer. This will give you a chance to learn the ropes, gain experience, and build confidence without risking too much of your bankroll.

You should look for games filled with casual or recreational players rather than seasoned regulars. These players are often more likely to make mistakes, which you can exploit to your advantage.

Before you join a game, take some time to observe the action from the rail. Are players splashing chips around with weak hands? Are they making loose calls or chasing draws? These are all signs of a potentially soft game.

It’s a good shout to chat with other players and ask about the best games. They can advise you on which games are suitable and which ones to avoid. But, of course, this will depend on your skill level.

Finding soft games takes time and effort. So, don’t get discouraged if you don’t strike gold right away. Just keep exploring different games, stakes, and locations until you find the ones you can beat, then play it A LOT. As you gain experience and confidence, gradually move up stakes. That way you can test your skills against tougher competition while minimizing risk. 

And there’s no rush – it’s better to build your bankroll slowly and steadily than to risk it all on a single high-stakes game.

Mental and Physical Game

Long sessions, intense concentration, and the emotional swings of big wins and devastating losses can leave you drained. Thus, taking care of yourself is as important as knowing when to bet or fold.

To stay sharp and focused, you need to minimize distractions and take short breaks to clear your head.  It’s safe to say that playing when you’re tired or distracted is a recipe for disaster.

Poker is an emotional rollercoaster, so learning to manage your emotions is key. Tilt – that feeling of frustration and anger that leads to poor decisions – is your worst enemy. As a result, practice meditation, deep breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and centered.

The power of sleep and exercise should not be underestimated. Getting enough rest is important for your decision-making and emotional regulation, while regular exercise will keep your mind sharp and your energy levels up. Even a short walk or some light stretching can make a world of difference.

And don’t forget to fuel your body with healthy, nutrient-rich foods and plenty of water. A clear mind and body will help you make better decisions at the table.

Continuous Improvement

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and keep raking in the chips, you’ve got to be a student of the game – forever. 

Think of the top pros – they’re constantly staying up to date with the latest trends, analyzing hands with other players, and even hiring coaches to refine their strategies. They never rest on their laurels; they’re always looking for that extra edge, and so should you.

So, what can you, as an aspiring poker player, learn from the pros? A lot, actually. Start by immersing yourself in the poker world. And as we spoke about earlier, you can read blogs, listen to podcasts, watch training videos, and chat with other players online. The more you expose yourself to different ideas and perspectives, the broader your understanding of the game will become. 

But don’t just be a spectator. Get in the trenches and track your results. Use software like PokerTracker 4 to analyze your hands, identify leaks in your game, track your ROI, and pinpoint areas for improvement. 

And once you’ve got a handle on your strengths and weaknesses, set some goals for yourself. Do you want to increase your win rate? Move up stakes? Master a new poker variant? Clear objectives will keep you motivated and give you a sense of direction.

From Beginner to Winner: Your Poker Journey Starts Now

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the essentials of increasing your win rate. 

As we’ve learned, it’s about consistent study, smart bankroll management, finding the right games, keeping a clear head, and never stopping learning. So, put in the work, stay disciplined, and you’ll be moving up the stakes in no time.

Now get out there and show ’em what you’ve got!