Common Poker Beginner's Mistakes

Betting out of turn. Wait until the player to your right acts. If you bet out of turn this could give an unfair advantage to a player who did not act yet, or the player who could have called may fold. Also, the player to your right would immediately know that you won't raise.

Not knowing what the bet is. Stay alert and be sure to know what the bet is when it's your turn. After a turn in a limit game the bets are double the amount they were before and after a flop.

Folding instead of checking. Sometimes players immediately fold if they don't like a flop or turn. But if you are first to act, you can check not fold. If everyone else checks you get to see the next card for free. Just the same, if everyone else checks before your turn, check as well. The free card may hold the key to your winning hand.

Throwing chips into the pot. Keep your area organized. Properly place your bet in front of you, this way the dealer sees that your bet is correct and scoop them in the pot.

Not protecting your cards. Be careful. If another player's cards mix with yours when they throw in their card your hand will be declared dead. Place your hand or chips on top of your cards to keep them safe.

Throwing a winning hand into the muck. If someone has called out a better hand keep your hold on your cards and don't throw them in immediately. The dealer will declare the final winner. If you missed a better hand than you thought, you might just be declared the winner.

Being too emotional. Not controlling your emotions during a game would cost you. Aside from looking foolish and not getting any respect from your opponents, foul language and behavior will not be tolerated.