I think a lot of new players in poker make the mistake of using aggression when it’s just not necessary.  Its easy to fall into this trap when watching players like Brian Townsend 3 bet with 6 high, but the reality is:

1.  He is playing 100/200 NL Plus!
2. He is a master of online poker
3. He knows how to fold when his instincts tell him to

Dont try to be Brian!  Learn your own game, get yourself comfortable.  Play ABC poker and then make your moves when you feel they are right.  Get paid on your hands by using aggression and be passive when you need to!  Poker is a multi-faceted game – aggression only is not going to make you a winning player.

We have all heard this one before, but that doesnt mean we all listen.  Its amazing that the smallest peices of advice in Poker are actually the most important to listen to.  Patience is key when playing poker, ESPECIALLY online!  You are seeing so many hands/hour, and its so easy to play hands just because they are there.  Whether you are playing tournament poker or cash games, patience can be key to your success – as all it takes is 1 bad move and your game could be thrown.

We all will get steamed at some point or another when playing online poker.  But learn to control how often you get upset.  When you are getting frustrated every time that someone sucks out or you lose your set to a straight etc. – you may not realize it, but it is affecting your game.

I constantly hear poker players saying “It doesnt affect my game” yet the next 3 hands they are pushing preflop with rubbish, trying to say they are just continuing their aggression, lol. 

Train yourself not to get upset over the small things that are always going to continue to happen in poker.  Find what makes you calm, be it music, tv, meditation, smoking, drinking, getting away from the computer – whatever it is – find it and stick to it.  There is nothing possitive that will come out of your constant outbursts regarding the idiocies of every day poker!

We have all heard this before – and if you havent, please read this post about 2,000 times, until it is imbedded into your brain!

DO NOT BLUFF A CALLING STATION!

They are called a calling station for a reason – they are a poker player who does not know how to fold!  There is really only 2 logical explanations for this type of play:

1.  Bored and just there to have fun, see hands, see flops/turns/rivers
2. Complete gambler, hoping to get lucky

So the question is, why bother bluffiing a calling station when they are going to call no matter what?  Maybe they think that their A high is good (and when you bluff with your 10 high missed straight on the river – they are right!), and maybe they think that their 5 of hearts is good on an Ah 2H 9H 3H As board! 

Regardless of the circumstances, if you know that the player is a calling station (as you have seen in his action against other players), dont bother bluffing at him, as you are just going to lose your money!  Instead, wait until you have the nuts and bet into him – cause you are going to get a call and you are going to get paid off!

Bad eating habits can be a big problem for online poker players.  Its easy to fall into the trap of fast food, junk food and comfort eating.  Make sure you have a somewhat healthy diet if you are going to be taking Online Poker Seriously!  Your brain is your instrument – and you need it to be in top notch shape!