In my time as a card player, I've found these 5 simple mistakes to be responsible for tons of lost pots and lost money... Ultimately, if you make them, you'll end up like the rest of the "suckers" out there. Either that, or you'll give up at poker (claiming that it's based on "luck"), and never play again... So, here are the seven mistakes to avoid:

• Getting Too Emotiona
  Don't let your emotions come out at the card table!
  It's easy to get "into" the game, but you've got to practice self-control!
  By staying cool, calm, and disciplined, you'll be able to concentrate on your strategy and winning the hand.


• Focusing Too Much On The Cards
  Remember, poker is about the PLAYERS rather than the HANDS. Sure, what cards you have is definitely important, but the only way to consistently WIN Texas Hold 'EM poker is if you are able to "read" the other players at the table.
  Study their habits, watch their faces, observe their peculiarities... and THEN focus on your own hand.


• Folding Instead Of Checking
  Don't fold if you can check! Unless it's part of some "bigger strategy" you've got going (like the ones I talk about in my book), then it's silly to fold a hand when you can just check instead.


• Trying Too Hard To "Fool" The Opponent
  Many beginners try to deliberately "fool" the other players by "acting" a certain way.
  This usually backfires.
  Most people are good at reading body language, and your pretending will only give you away. A better strategy is to let your ACTIONS fool the other players.
  Keep your poker face straight and calm and let them fall for the bait by making bets or placing action in ways that will confuse them.
  


• Being Too Consistent
  The easiest way to win easy money at the poker table is to just study a person's habits for awhile, and then take advantage of them hand-by-hand because they're so predictable.
  Don't be this kind of sucker!
  If you make the same moves and same bets at the table every time you play, other players will pick up on it so fast that you'll be out of chips in no time.
  Be "spontaneous" in a calculated way, and be unpredictable. It will frustrate the other players... and you'll win all their chips.