When I first played online poker, I kept losing small but steadily. The problem wasn’t bad luck — it was simple mistakes I didn’t even notice. These errors add up fast in online games. In this post, I’ll show you the key mistakes I fixed — so you can sharpen your game too.
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Top 8 Mistakes to Dodge as a Player
1. Playing Too Many Hands
It’s tempting to “just see a flop” with any two decent cards. But when you do that, you’re often starting way behind.
I used to limp in with hands like Q-9 offsuit, K-6 suited, small pairs in early position. I’d hit a pair and then get stuck paying off stronger hands.
Now I keep a tight preflop range. I ask myself: “Would I still be happy playing this hand if I miss the flop?” If the answer is no, I fold. Simple.
2. Calling Too Much, Not Raising Enough
In my early days, I loved calling. It felt safe. I could see what happened next. But calling too much drains your stack over time.
I had to train myself to play more aggressively. If I had a strong hand or a good draw, I raise. If my hand wasn’t worth a raise, I folded.
You don’t want to be known as the player who just calls and hopes. Those players rarely win.
3. Ignoring Table Position
This was a blind spot for me when I started online. I didn’t really “get” position. But once I did, my results changed fast.
In an early position, you should play fewer hands. Why? Because everyone acts after you, and you’ll be guessing on later streets. In a late position (button, cutoff), you can open up your range.
One simple rule: if you’d fold the hand in an early position, don’t talk yourself into playing it just because it looks nice.
4. Not Paying Attention to Opponents
Online poker moves fast. It’s easy to zone out, especially if you’re playing multiple tables. I used to auto-pilot way too much.
But noticing how others play gives you a big edge. Watch who is aggressive, who folds to 3-bets, who bluffs often. I now make mental notes (or quick-written ones) on every player.
Try the one-tabling for a few sessions. Just one table. You’ll be surprised how much more you notice.
5. Chasing Losses With Tilt Play
I’ll admit it — I’ve tilted hard before. A bad beat here, a cooler there… and suddenly I’m jamming with junk trying to “get it back.”
These days, I spot tilt faster. If I notice my heart rate going up or myself clicking too fast, I take a short break. Sometimes just standing up or grabbing water resets me.
If you play when tilted, you’ll give money away. I’ve learned that lesson more than once.
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6. Mismanaging Stack Sizes
When you’re short-stacked (say 20 big blinds or less), you need to shift gears. You should shove or fold more often, not call and chase.
When you have a deep stack, you can play more speculative hands — but be mindful of bigger pots.
One quick rule: know how many big blinds you have before every hand. That alone will help you make better decisions.
7. Relying Too Much on HUDs and Stats
I love a good HUD. But in the beginning, I relied on it too much — and often misread it.
Stats can’t tell you the whole story. For example, a player might show a high aggression stat — but maybe they just got dealt good hands recently.
I now use HUDs as a guide, not a crutch. I pair it with real-time observation. What did they just do? What sizing are they using?
8. Skipping Hand Reviews
This was another mistake I made for years. I’d finish a session, close the app, and move on. I wasn’t learning from my mistakes.
Now I spend 10–15 minutes reviewing key hands after every session. I look for spots where I was unsure or lost a big pot. Then I ask: “Did I play this well? Was there a better option?”
Poker tracking tools help, but even a simple hand history review works. It’s one of the fastest ways to improve.
Play Smarter, Not Harder — My Final Advice
Online poker is full of traps. I’ve fallen into most of them. But the more you clean up these common mistakes, the stronger your game gets.
You don’t need fancy tricks to get better. Just fix the basics. That’s what finally turned things around for me — and it will for you too.
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