I occasionally deal a backyard game to *very* inexperienced players and once you get past the knowing-hand-rankings stage, the main problems are calling too much and not understanding the bet size relative to the pot.
sammie g @thefakesammieg
Apr 5
So I have friends who don’t play poker and sometimes they ask me for advice on how to play better when they have a poker night with friends. What’s the first piece of advice you give to people who basically only know what hands beat what?
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So "when in doubt, just bet 50% of the pot" and "mostly raise or fold, not call" are pretty robust pieces of advice all the way from a rote amateur to intermediate level.

Apr 5, 2024 · 9:25 PM UTC

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There are also lots of poker etiquette violations & you have to triage what to enforce. The single chip rule (a single chip is a call not a raise) probably not worth it. "Always keep your cards in a visible position on the table" is worth being more of a stickler.
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Replying to @NateSilver538
Yes, beginners play (and call) way too many hands, and rarely bet enough to make others fold their draws.
Replying to @NateSilver538
I do the “call too much” thing and when it was first pointed out to me I was so annoyed because I instantly knew it was true.
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Replying to @NateSilver538
I’ve tried, the raise fold advice a number of times and first time or very new players just can’t make use of it and I think it’s an existing example of how knowledge can’t shortcut experience.
Replying to @NateSilver538
That’s assuming those people can keep track of the pot size (that’s a learned skill)
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