9 Common Poker Mistakes Every Player Should Stop Making Now

This lesson follows on from our typical beginner mistakes lesson, where we looked at things such as playing too many hands, playing out of position, and bluffing too much.

By now, you should have some playing time and poker experience under your belt, hopefully with a greater understanding of the game.

In this lesson, we’re going to examine more classic mistakes that are made at the poker table. As we go through the list, be honest with yourself and acknowledge if you fall prey to any of these chip-draining leaks.

#1 – Obsessively Defending Blinds

Many players in the US poker scene let their egos take over when it comes to defending their blinds, refusing to fold because they see it as weak or feel they’ve already “paid” for the hand. The truth is, ego-driven decisions can quietly chip away at your poker bankroll, often faster than you realize.

You should defend your blinds when your hand has real potential and you’re getting favorable pot odds — not just because you don’t want to give them up.

For example, defending with suited connectors can be perfectly reasonable since they have strong post-flop playability. However, calling raises with weak offsuit cards simply because you’re in the big blind is rarely profitable. Always factor in your opponents’ tendencies and position before making a stand.

Remember, in cash games, your defending range should be tighter than in tournaments, since blinds and antes stay constant. Stay disciplined, protect your poker bankroll, and make mathematically sound calls — not emotional ones.

#2 – Cold Calling Raises

Cold calling occurs when you call after one player raises and another re-raises before the action reaches you. It’s often viewed as a weak play because it can signal hesitation or a lack of discipline. However, like many poker concepts, the right move depends entirely on the situation — your position, your opponents, and the strength of your hand.

In some cases, cold calling can be a strategic option, especially in positions with hands that have strong implied odds — for example, suited broadways or medium pocket pairs that can hit big on favorable flops. Occasionally, slow playing a monster hand — such as pocket aces or kings — by cold calling can also make sense, particularly against aggressive opponents likely to keep building the pot for you.

That said, cold calling with weak or marginal hands is rarely profitable. In those spots, it’s usually better to fold or re-raise if you believe you can generate fold equity and take control of the hand. The key is to recognize when patience and deception serve your poker bankroll, and when selective aggression is the better path to long-term profit.

#3 – Over Calling

This error is similar to #2 as it is a weak play and shows a lack of discipline. Over calling is to call a bet that a player or players to your right have already called.

The classic example is a pre-flop limp fest, and in that situation, it can be correct with a hand that plays well in a large field.

A small pocket pair or suited connectors would be two examples. However, post-flop, if you have a third pair and it is bet and called in front of you, then you need to come to grips with the obvious, which is – you are behind. Throw that loser in the muck and wait for a better opportunity.

#4 – Semi-Stealth-Tilt

We all know that tilt can be defined as playing poorly due to an emotional state brought on by losing in a perceived unfair manner. It is exemplified by super-aggressive play that is a desperate attempt to get even or punish the player who has inflicted the pain.

Emotionally grounded players in the USA poker scene don’t usually go on tilt – or at least they don’t think they do. Semi-Stealth-Tilt or SST is a more insidious form of this malady. Semi – because it isn’t a full-blown tilt but just leaning towards tilt. Stealth – because it sneaks up on you in degrees, so slowly that you can be tilting for hours without even realizing it.

This is somewhat common to intermediate players as they have advanced to a skill level where they sometimes put their game on autopilot. So, maybe SST is not brought on by a series of losing hands, but it results in the same impaired or diminished judgment that classic tilt exemplifies.

Make it a habit to constantly monitor your game for SST so as not to fall prey to its negative impact on your results. Basically, you need to keep your head in the game at all times to make informed decisions.

#5 – Fancy Play Syndrome

Fancy Play Syndrome, or FPS, refers to the tendency for players to make overly complicated or “fancy” moves in an attempt to appear like skilled, high-level poker players. It’s a common trap — especially among players who have gained some experience and want to show off their creativity at the table.

The truth is, simple, straightforward poker usually wins more money than flashy plays. Until you have a deep understanding of game flow, player tendencies, and table dynamics, trying to outsmart everyone often backfires.

For example, attempting a bluff in a multi-way pot is rarely successful, as the more opponents there are, the greater the chance someone actually has a hand worth calling with.

While deception is a key part of poker, forcing fancy plays where they don’t belong can bleed chips from your poker bankroll. Most of the time, sticking to solid, disciplined, and aggressive play will serve you far better than trying to impress the table with clever tricks.

#6 – Game Selection

Most of us have heard the old aphorism – If after the first ten minutes at the table, you can’t spot the sucker, then it’s you. But how do you know? You need to start by studying your opponents to see who is or isn’t making mistakes.

Hopefully, you can do this before you even sit down, so if you have a choice of seats, you can make a better, more informed decision. Remember, if you cannot determine that any of your opponents are making any errors in judgment, then why stay in a game when there must be easier pickings elsewhere.

You’ve probably heard the story about the ninth best hold’em player in the entire world. His only failing was that he regularly played with the top eight players in the world. Don’t fall into that trap. Study your opponents to gauge their level of knowledge and skill to make sure you can compete profitably in the game.

#7 – Not Recognizing Opportunities

Beginner players who aspire to greater poker heights focus on good solid starting hand values, not playing too many hands, and they work hard on their discipline. In essence they evolve into good ABC players. In order to move up to the next level and become a skilled winning poker player one must do more than just play solid by-the-book poker.

Poker is a game of relative values, so you don’t necessarily need a monster hand to win – just one better than your opponent. Better yet, sometimes you just need a well-timed/sized bet to make your opponent lay down the winning hand.

The key element of recognizing profitable opportunities is a good position. By playing position you’re in the driver’s seat to steal blinds and orphan pots. Force yourself outside the mindset of playing by the book, and take advantage of opportunities.

Remember, good cards come and go, but opportunities arise constantly.

#8 – Not Laying Down Losers

Not being able to make a good lay down in limit poker can cost you some bets. This same frailty in no-limit will get you to the felt quicker than any other mistake.

This egregious error ties back to some of the other elements, such as overcalling and cold calling raises. There is no magic pill to make sure you always lay down the losers but never lay down a winner.

The proper feel will come through studying your opponents and gaining more and more experience. When put to the test, think through the likely holdings of your opponent and consider giving him credit for the hand he is representing instead of your chips.

#9 – Math and Odds

If you aspire to play poker well, you must appreciate that knowledge of math and probability is a must. Most poker players know the standard odds of drawing hands like straights and flushes and if you don’t, take this as a wakeup call to search out that information and commit it to memory.

Our beginner lesson on drawing odds outlines this fundamental concept and explains a shorthand method of figuring the odds you face when you have two cards to come and when the only card left is the river. This knowledge is critical to success.

If you can honestly state that none of these mistakes ever crop up in your game, then I don’t want you playing at my table. We all make mistakes, and you should consider these ten mistakes as a checklist for better poker play and performance.

If any of them resonate in your game, then you can start to plug those leaks by setting goals and working on those aspects of your game.