For many people, poker is a fun way to bond with friends. Yet, for tens of thousands around the globe, it's a way of making money. Whether they're competing in online tournaments or cash games in poker rooms, poker has transcended pastime status.
This article is crafted for both novices and fairly experienced players looking to climb the ranks. Here, you'll discover of the five best ways to enhance your poker earnings. No miracles or "instant cash" buttons here—just solid advice and a readiness to train that will surely equip you with valuable skills.
While luck can sway the outcome of a hand, it's skill that is making money for players.
Analysis and Analysis of Hands
Analyzing hands is paramount, whether you're studying solo or with a mentor. Here's how to approach it:
Working Solo:
There's a plethora of programs that can speed up your learning. Begin by pinpointing complex spots, then delve into how you could play them more optimally. It’s fine to do this studying alone and probably preferable for some players.
Working with a Trainer:
An external perspective is crucial. A seasoned coach will swiftly identify and help you rectify gaps in your game. It's the most effective method to quickly enhance your play. Consult your mentor for database analysis or specific hand inquiries. Even professionals do this, like Daniel Negreanu and his coach, MJ Gonzales.
Working with Other Players:
Players often form teams and hold discussions. If you're new, join the GipsyTeam forum (in Russia, it’s the largest of its kind). Engage in discussions, start a blog, and pose questions—the community, including well-known players, will eagerly assist.
Gaining Experience Correctly
Playing poker and hoping to improve isn’t a very clever approach.
Instead, gain experience playing poker at lower limits and freerolls. When your win rate is sufficient, you can think about increasing the stakes. This is one of the best ways to study and improve, without heavily impacting your bankroll. Even PokerStars’ Lex Veldhuis plays these games sometimes, for analysis.
Let’s talk about micro and low-limit games first.
Cash games start at $0.01/$0.02 on almost every site, meaning you’ll buy-in for about $2 each time. This is a starting point and you should not worry much about seeing making money hand over fist at first. Find your edge, understand the game, and move up when your dominance is clear. The buy-ins for micro-stake MTTs are similarly low.
Then there are the freerolls.
You’ll win cash for playing, but it won’t cost you an entry fee. Now, in terms of practice, a freeroll is a different breed of online poker tournament. The first stages will be volatile since players didn’t pay for their entries. Once you get deeper into the event, closer to the money, it will play nearly like a standard poker tournament.
Nobody is going to say that freerolls play the same as a $5 or $10 MTT, but hold on. This is about gaining experience. You’ll be put into lots of different spots, you’ll have to consider ranges, and work on freeroll strategy. Lots of those aspects will overlap in real money games.
Using Poker Software
Many think that this is the best way to make money through steady improvement. You don’t need to be a coder or mathematician to use these tools, but that’s what many beginners worry about. They imagine a high level of complexity, too advanced to learn easily.
But there’s a spectrum. There are advanced and complex programs to use, one day perhaps. And then, there are the modern tools that were built for everyone, to be learned quickly.
These tools serve various purposes, from in-game statistics (HUDs) to training for specific scenarios. You can work on preflop and postflop, train MTT skills, learn about hand ranges, and become a more strategic player.
The GipsyTeam Shop houses all top software, ensuring you get licensed versions and installation support. The most popular tools are Hold'em Manager 3 for in-depth game analysis and Flopzilla for mastering hand ranges.
Books and Video Lessons on Poker
Poker books can become outdated, but they're still valuable for understanding the basics of No-Limit Texas Holdem. You can also compare past and present techniques, gaining more understanding of the game.
For a more dynamic learning experience, turn to YouTube or Twitch. You won’t get advice all of the time on Twitch, but you can watch great players in action. On YouTube, you can find what you want more easily, instead of watching full online poker sessions.
Multi-Tabling (But Not Too Much)
Many pros prefer online play for the ability to multitask across several tables, known as multi-tabling. This can lead to making money faster and mitigating downswings. However, it's vital to maintain game quality and not overextend your focus.
Adding more tables isn’t going to help if your win rate plummets.
Advantages of Multi-Tabling:
Constant engagement, reducing the temptation to play suboptimal hands.
Increased hands per session, leading to making money faster.
Disadvantages of Multi-Tabling:
Reduced time for decision-making, increasing the risk of errors.
Potential for quicker mental fatigue due to sustained concentration.
Some Poker Earnings Take a Bit of Planning
The way you play is still the most important part of poker, but you can become a better earner in other ways.
Rakeback:
Playing more hands isn't just about the winnings; it's also about maximizing rakeback from loyalty programs. Participating in promotions can further enhance profitability. For the best ways to get extra profit from playing, consider signing up for poker rooms through our recommended links.
Sign-up and Reload Bonuses:
It might be profitable to switch sites, especially if the traffic and games are drying up. When you move your bankroll over to a new poker room, there are bonuses waiting. Even months after you sign up, the rakeback might pay back much more than the site you play on now.
Our support team can show you which sites are the most profitable to play on and help you get set up.
- Increased rakeback and personal bonuses
- Help with deposits and cashouts
- Access to mobile applications
- Solving problems with accounts
- Technical support
- Questions about the site and forum
