What was your biggest mistake when you started playing poker?

I'm just starting my poker journey. I'd love to hear about the biggest mistake you made when you were new and what you learned from it. Your experience could really help beginners like me.

Thinking I was good and just unlucky

Mine was playing way too many hands because I didn't want to miss the action. I learned that folding is just as important as betting, and patience saves a lot of money in the long run.

My first big mistake I think is the most common one. When I started playing Hold'em I was trying to play cards. When you play cards, you are trying to have the best hand. This is a terrible way to play Hold'em. There is too much variance in the deals for one to have the best hand often enough. If I will ever be known for a poker quote it would be, "Poker is not a card game. It's a betting game with cards." As soon as I realized that it was the betting that was more important than the cards, I started to become an actual player. Until then, I was just some clueless putz handing away chips while trying to build the best hand. The cards are random. You have no control over them. But you have complete control over your action/betting. Furthermore, most pots are won without showdown, so you don't always have to have the best hand.

I don't think you're going to get rich overnight; it's an activity that requires time and investment. In my case, the results were quick.

Gurupoker said:

I'm just starting my poker journey. I'd love to hear about the biggest mistake you made when you were new and what you learned from it. Your experience could really help beginners like me.

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Mine was play higher buy ins as soon as I won some money

My biggest mistake was playing too much and at times, playing beyond limits i could not afford, i learnt fast and changed those bad habits!

Calling the right hands and then, after a bad run, stopping doing so, because at the least expected moment, by not calling the hands you should have, you realize you've lost a tournament you were winning. Frustration makes you think you're making a mistake, and this is very common. I work on it.

Marshmalo1994 said:

Mine was play higher buy ins as soon as I won some money

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Thanks for sharing your experience! That's a great lesson. I'll definitely try to avoid moving up too quickly.

pirateglenn said:

My biggest mistake was playing too much and at times, playing beyond limits i could not afford, i learnt fast and changed those bad habits!

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Thank you! That's really helpful advice. I'll remember to stay within my limits as I learn.

My biggest mistake was calling way too often because I was curious to see what my opponents had. I hated folding and always thought there was a chance they were bluffing. Looking back, I was paying off value bets far more than I was catching bluffs. Learning that folding is a skill, not a weakness, probably saved me more money than any strategy adjustment I made later.