Poker has become a global phenomenon since the turn of the century, with television coverage helping to introduce the iconic casino game to the masses.
Many online players dream of turning professional, but it can take a significant amount of time to be able to fulfill that particular dream.
Most people start out in poker by playing freeroll tournaments or low-stakes games, before taking the plunge and attempting to move up the scale.
Read on as we take a closer look at some of the things poker players can do to boost their chances of climbing the poker ranks.
Tighten Up Your Play
Playing at the bottom end of the poker scale can be a little bit hit and miss in terms of the quality of opponents you will face.
To be successful at poker, you must be able to adapt your style of play based on the table. Are the other players loose or tight? Is someone playing recklessly or cautious?
Understanding these basic fundamentals plays an integral part in improving your poker IQ and will boost your hopes of rising up the ranks.
Playing a tight disciplined style will help you take advantage of weaker players at the table and provide a platform for progression in poker.
Be a Consistent Winner
It can pay to think of poker in terms of professional sports. If you are winning consistently at a lower level, the time is probably right to play further up the scale.
However, it is important not to jump too far too quickly. For instance, if you have been cleaning up in $10 tournaments, don’t think you will immediately be a success in $100 events.
Dip your toe in the water by playing a few $20 tournaments. If you are successful, great, you can start to think about climbing even higher.
If you find that $20 events are eating into your bankroll, do not be afraid to step back down a notch. Ultimately, making a profit is the end goal for every poker player.
Establish a Sustainable Bankroll
When playing any online casino game, it is crucial to establish an affordable bankroll which you must manage properly.
For instance, if your bankroll is $500 per month you should play no higher than $10 tournaments as this figure represents two percent of your bankroll.
This allows you to safely navigate any losing spells and significantly improves your chances of making a profit over a sustained period of time.
Bankroll management must continue to be implemented as you climb the ranks – if you want to play the $20 tables you must have a $1,000 bankroll and so on.
