Quick Poker Tip Of The Week
Many internet poker players continually complain about how many "bad beats" they get while playing online. What they don't realize is that poker rooms are independently verified as being fair, and that there experiences and perceptions are not only misguided, but are a result of a lack of skill on their part. For starters, the average player tends to overestimate the advantages they have while being ahead in a hand at a given point, and even feel entitled to win. Often they may even be more likely to lose than win against several opponents, even though they may have the best hand now. When you combine that with a selective memory that remembers the losses more than the wins, you end up with a lot of frustrated players who think that lady luck is out to get them.
You never see professionals complain about this though, and it's not only that they have a better understanding of the odds. Weaker players tend to lose at showdowns more than better players because they see more showdowns. Strong poker players play their hands stronger, forcing others to pay more to outdraw them, and often times take the pot down without a fight. Weaker players offer people good odds to draw out on them, and take down less pots and have their hands cracked a lot more.
This isn't to say that you want to take pots down every time, it's just that by forcing your opponents to pay the price to outdraw you, you will win more hands and also make more money on average when you're challenged. Then you'll find yourself complaining a whole lot less and raking in a lot more cash at the end of the day.