“Francois Tosques” by World Poker Tour, CC BY-ND 2.0
Let’s be honest: Poker isn’t just a game of luck — and anyone who thinks so probably hasn’t played enough hands to understand how punishing the game can be. Whether you’re playing $5 home games with friends or multi-tabling online MTTs, there are some classic mistakes that almost every player stumbles into at some point.
In this article, we’ll break down the most common poker mistakes that hurt win rates — and more importantly, how to avoid them. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. Let’s dive in.
🙈 Calling When You Should Fold or Raise
What it is: Calling too often in spots where folding or raising is better.
Why it’s a problem: Calling might feel safe — you’re not risking more chips, right? But over time, overcalling bleeds chips, especially when you’re not getting the right pot odds or have limited fold equity.
Example:
You’re on the button with K♦J♣. The UTG player raises, one call behind, and you flat-call. The flop comes A♥Q♠7♣. UTG c-bets, the caller folds, and you… call again. Why? You’re drawing to a gutshot straight, sure, but with only 4 outs (and no backdoor flush), this is just setting money on fire. Without the right odds or fold equity, it’s better to fold or occasionally bluff-raise.
Fix it:
Ask yourself: What am I hoping to hit? Do I have the odds to chase it? What’s my plan on the turn? If you can’t answer confidently, you probably shouldn’t call.
😌 Ignoring Position
What it is: Not adjusting your strategy based on where you’re seated at the table.
Why it matters: Position is power. The later you act in a hand, the more information you have. Playing the same range UTG and on the button is a fast track to getting outplayed.
Example:
You open Q♠T♠ UTG in a full-ring game. Not terrible, but not great either. Three players call. The flop comes J♥7♣3♦. You’re now first to act, on a dry board, with nothing but overcards. Compare that to opening the same hand on the button and seeing only one caller in the blinds — you’ve got way more control there.
Fix it:
Learn standard positional ranges. Tighten up in early position, loosen up in late position. Some sites offer free charts to help you, try to search.
💤 Playing Too Passive
What it is: Calling instead of betting or raising when aggression is the better play.
Why it matters: Poker rewards aggression — not recklessness, but controlled pressure. Passive play lets your opponents dictate the action and see free cards that can beat you.
Example:
You flop top pair, decent kicker. Instead of betting, you check-call every street, only to be shown two pair on the river. A single raise earlier might’ve taken down the pot or at least defined your opponent’s range.
Fix it:
Don’t be afraid to bet for value. And if you think your opponent is weak, take the initiative and make them fold.
🧐 Not Reading the Table
What it is: Playing your hand in a vacuum, ignoring your opponents’ tendencies.
Why it matters: You’re not just playing cards — you’re playing people. Recognizing patterns (tight, loose, aggressive, passive) is what separates decent players from winning ones.
Example:
You call down a triple-barrel bluff from a guy who’s only shown down monsters all session. You had second pair and just felt like he was bluffing. Spoiler: he wasn’t.
Fix it:
Even when you’re not in the hand, watch the action. Who’s 3-betting light? Who folds to c-bets? Is the table full of nits or maniacs? Adjust accordingly.
🤯 Overplaying Speculative and Medium-Strength Hands
What it is: Getting too excited about hands like A♠J♣, K♦T♦, or small suited connectors.
Why it matters: These hands look pretty but can get you into trouble, especially out of position or against aggression.
Example:
You 3-bet K♥J♥ from the blinds against an early position raiser and end up calling off on a K-high flop. They show A♠K♣. You were dominated the whole way.
Fix it:
Treat speculative hands with caution unless you’re in position, deep stacked, and against weaker opponents. And medium-strength hands? Pot control is your friend.
🏃🏼♀️ Acting Too Quickly Without Thinking Things Through
What it is: Snap-calling, snap-betting, or snap-folding without taking a few seconds to think.
Why it matters: Poker is a game of decision-making. Reflex actions are rarely the right ones.
Example:
You instantly call a river shove because “you had trips,” without realizing the board is double-paired and your opponent only shoves with full houses.
Fix it:
Take a breath. Ask yourself:
- What does my opponent represent?
What does my hand beat? - What hands beat me?
That extra five seconds could save your stack.
💰 Bankroll? What Bankroll?
What it is: Playing at stakes your bankroll can’t handle.
Why it matters: Even the best players hit downswings. Without proper bankroll management, variance will crush you.
Example:
You take a shot at a $100 tournament with a $300 bankroll. Bust twice, and suddenly you’re stressed, tilted, and bankroll-less.
Fix it:
Stick to proven rules of thumb:
- Cash games: Minimum 20–30 buy-ins.
- MTTs: At least 100 buy-ins (yes, really).
- Sit & Go’s: 50+ buy-ins.
There’s no shame in grinding micros. Discipline today means freedom tomorrow.
😔 Opening Hands That Don’t Deserve It
What it is: Playing too many weak or questionable hands before the flop.
Why it matters: Not all hands are worth seeing a flop with. The more weak hands you play, the more tough and expensive decisions you face later — often with second-best holdings.
Example:
You see 9♣7♠ in the cutoff and think, “Hey, it’s suited and connected.” So you call a raise. Flop comes J♠9♠3♦. You’ve got middle pair — and no idea where you stand. Your opponent bets big, and you’re stuck guessing.
Fix it:
Tighten up. Especially in early positions, only play hands that can hit hard or play well postflop. Use opening charts and adjust for table dynamics. Remember: folding is free. Calling with trash isn’t.
🔄 Turning Every Missed Draw Into a Bluff
What it is: Overestimating fold equity and trying to bluff every missed draw.
Why it matters: Good players sniff out constant bluffers. Bad players call everything anyway.
Example:
You fire all three streets with 6♠5♠ on a missed straight draw, but your opponent snap-calls with second pair. Why? Because you’ve been at it all night.
Fix it:
Bluff with purpose, not panic. Look for blockers, consider board texture, and most importantly — consider your image. If you haven’t shown a strong hand in 20 hands, no one’s folding.
😫 Letting Tilt Make Decisions for You
What it is: Allowing emotion, frustration, or ego to override logic.
Why it matters: Tilt isn’t just losing your temper — it’s any time you’re not playing your A-game because something (bad beat, slowroll, missed draw) knocked you off balance. And tilt leads to terrible decisions.
Example:
You get rivered twice in a row. Instead of resetting, you immediately re-buy and start 3-betting trash hands, chasing losses, and convincing yourself, “I’ll show them.” Spoiler: you don’t.
Fix it:
Recognize the signs early — rising frustration, impatience, tunnel vision. When you feel tilt coming, step away. Even five minutes can reset your mindset. Poker’s a long game. One session doesn’t define you — but tilt can definitely ruin one.
Mistakes are part of the game — the key is recognizing them and adjusting. Poker is a complex, ever-evolving puzzle. But with a little strategy, discipline, and self-awareness, we can all make fewer costly errors and more profitable plays.
Let’s not aim to play perfect poker. Let’s aim to play better poker. Every. Single. Session.
And hey — even the pros misplay a hand or two. So next time you catch yourself calling just because “you wanted to see one more card,” smile, fold, and get ready for the next hand. The game always gives you another chance.