Are You Making These Common Texas Hold'em Mistakes?

Beyond beginner mistakes

Once you've learned the basics — fewer hands, more raising, using position — a new set of Texas Hold'em mistakes appears. They're less obvious but cost just as much. Here are seven to check in your own game.

1. Continuation-betting every flop

Betting the flop after raising pre-flop is a good habit, but not on every board. A flop like 9-8-7 with two hearts connects with many hands that call pre-flop.

Fix: c-bet more on dry, high-card boards (like K-7-2) and check more on connected, wet boards.

2. Using the same bet size every time

Always betting half the pot, or always betting the same amount with strong and weak hands, gives information away.

Fix: choose sizes for a reason: small on dry boards, bigger on boards with draws.

3. Ignoring stack sizes

Speculative hands like small pairs and suited connectors need deep stacks to pay off.

Fix: with short stacks, play stronger high-card hands and simpler lines.

4. Misreading the board

Top pair feels strong until a fourth heart lands or the board pairs.

Fix: on every street, ask what the best possible hand is and which strong hands your opponent could hold.

5. Calling 3-bets out of position too often

Calling re-raises out of position with medium hands leads to tough spots after the flop.

Fix: against a 3-bet, either 4-bet strong hands or fold more medium ones when out of position.

6. Paying off big river bets

Many players at low stakes rarely bluff big on the river.

Fix: if an opponent who rarely bluffs makes a large river bet, fold more medium-strength hands.

7. Overusing the check-raise

Check-raising every draw or strong hand becomes predictable.

Fix: mix in check-calls with some strong hands, and keep check-raises for spots that make sense.

Hold'em mistake checklist

For mistakes common at the next level, read 5 mistakes intermediate poker players make.