Jun 7, 2021
Poker is one of the most popular forms of gambling in the world. Universally adored by thousands upon thousands of players around the world, it is a game which boasts unique twists and variations from country to country, but the skills required to line your pockets successfully remain largely the same whichever form you get stuck into.
Poker requires players to be patient and determined, be able to read tells and body language, understand how to manage their bankroll through winning and losing streaks, and can make hard decisions under pressure. These skills are not certainly not only reserved for Poker however, with there being plenty of crossovers between the game and countless others in the gambling space.
But what other forms of gambling can be used to heighten your skills at the Poker table?
Thinking Under The Pressure
A great way of developing your ability to think under pressure and assessing a live situation within the gambling world is via traditional and online sports betting. Whilst sports betting on things such as soccer, basketball or cricket is perhaps more known for the season and match outright on picking winners, the rise of online wagering has led to more and more live in play odds and features becoming increasingly popular with gambling enthusiasts.
Not only do live in play odds offer users with the chance of getting ahead of bookmakers by flexing their knowledge and spotting opportunities the very second they happen, they also allow for more exotic variants of wagering such as spread markets around top goalscorers, assisters or savers, to game-specific niches such as the amount of corner kicks in a game of soccer, or how many boundaries in a cricket match.
In play betting requires users to often think on their feet and react quickly to the volatility that comes with real world sports. Thinking under pressure and analysing situations as sudden changes occur is a key component of Poker, and betting on these sports will undoubtedly help players when they arrive at the table.
Bankroll Management
Any good gambler will tell you that the secret to success is to identify between your losing and winning runs, and managing your balance so that you are limiting your losses and maximising your winnings. This is certainly true for the world of Poker, where a player will often go through sometimes lengthy spells of bad hands and unlucky draws, so knowing how to manage your bankroll is an incredibly useful skill to possess.
One of the best forms of gambling available for helping to develop this skill are online slots.
Online slots are often flashier and easier to burn through than traditional machines found in brick and mortar casinos, running with smooth mechanics and with features that allow you to take advantage of bonuses and raise/lower your stakes with a single click. The user experience is at the forefront of these slots and their designs, and the volatile nature of the offers and promotions means that you can be lining your pockets with every swing, but then go on a long barren run where nothing lands on the reels for you.
Making Hard Decisions
One of the more underrated skills associated with gambling is knowing when to make the tough decisions and fold your hand. It goes against the idea of why you’re at the table, but in the longer term of a game it can be a crucial component in keeping your bankroll in the game for long enough to really start reaping the rewards later on.
Before settling down at a high stakes Poker game, take the time to familiarise yourself with the concepts of spotting opportunities to bet, raise and fold when at the table through other casino classics such as Blackjack before diving into the competitive world of Poker.