When you play poker online, there are many things to keep in mind. The first is that you must be aware of your surroundings and the people around you at all times. You must know the unwritten rules and etiquette of playing poker online to ensure that the game remains fair for everyone involved. This includes respecting your opponents, avoiding derogatory language in chat rooms and being courteous to other players.
Another important tip is to limit yourself to one table at a time when you’re new to the game. Having multiple tables open can cause sensory overload and make it difficult to focus on the decisions that need to be made. It is also helpful to use a HUD, which overlays your poker table with real-time statistics about your opponents. This information can help you determine how likely your opponent is to fold to a raise before the flop, for example.
One of the best ways to improve your poker online game is to learn how to read your opponents’ faces. You can do this by looking beyond their cards and thinking about what they might have, based on their betting history. This will allow you to make better calls, and avoid making mistakes like calling a bet with a weak hand because you were influenced by your opponents’ actions at previous tables.
It’s also crucial to avoid over-bluffing recreational players, who are sometimes referred to as “fish.” This can lead to an endless cycle of losing hands and losing money, as these players will duke it out until they get lucky, which could cost you a big stack.