Don't be too Predictable
Poker depends upon keeping your opponents clueless about your hand. While your hand is unseen to your opponents, your body language gives them clues on the cards that you are holding. An example of this is when you are dealt a nice hand, your opponents might detect that faint smile on your lips or that glimmer in your eyes or some imperceptible positive change in your demeanor that would give them an idea that you have a nice hand. Keeping your body language from giving you away is one of the hazards of playing poker in a land based casino.
But if you think that you should feel perfectly safe when you play online poker simply because your opponents wouldn't be able to see on their computer screens, you're dead wrong! Some online poker players are so good that they can read you like a book by simply analyzing your betting pattern. Raising the stakes every time you have a good hand, for example, never goes unnoticed by your opponents. Pretty soon, they'll probably fold every time you do this, resulting in very small wins for your good hand
You need to formulate an effective betting strategy that will increase your winnings and lessen your losses. Your betting strategy must be devoid of routine and regularity to keep your opponents guessing about your hand. Be focused and observe very closely to determine who amongst your opponents are tight and who the loose players are. Don't rush things; watch how the betting has gone and what hands your opponents might have. Put some variety on your playing style. The hallmark of a winner is absolute unpredictability in his game.
Beginners often times erroneously stay every time they get an Ace in their hand. While an Ace has a high value, it cannot by itself, give you a winning hand. Remember that a high card is the lowest order of hands. That is why there is more wisdom in staying if you have a 10 or higher card or another card of the same suit to go with it. Before the flop, it's worthwhile to stay with any pair, reasonably high cards of the same suit like Q, 10 and consecutive cards of the same suit like 10, 9, or 7, 6. Fold at once if the community cards are not doing you any good after the flop. Go ahead and take notes on your play as well as on the people you frequently play against. Refer to your notes from time to time to help you formulate a strategy against each player and determine your own weaknesses as well as any changes that you should make on your own betting strategy.