These five common poker mistakes are made especially by novice players who do not prepare themselves properly and think winning at online poker is much easier than it really is.

Here are the five common poker mistakes to avoid:

Common Poker Mistakes #1 - Bluffing a Weak Player

Novice players don't want to get out and simply lay down their hands. They lack the knowledge to know when the odds are bad and lack the discipline to fold.

They think they should try to win with every hand and get lucky, but if you want to win, big at poker you can't rely on luck.

Good players play their opponents not the cards. You need to know when to hold them and when to fold them.

Learn to bluff sparingly, or you will become easy prey for more experienced players.

Poker Mistakes #2 - Playing Weak Hands in Early Position

Position at the table is another mistake novices make. It is especially easy for online poker players to not really notice the position they are playing in.

Playing marginal hands from an early position means the odds are stacked against you. The problem is you don't know what the other player's cards are and how they will play.

Players in early position should play tight, when you are in late position you can afford to play looser because you have more information fed to you by other player's actions.

Mistakes #3 - Revenge Playing

A novice player thinks that if he plays long enough he is bound to win so when he starts to lose he chases his losses and increases his bet size in the hope of getting a lucky hand.

However, the harder he tries to win his losses back the more he loses.

An important part of playing poker is discipline and patience. All poker players lose in the short term and you are not going to win every session.

If you want to deplete your bankroll quickly, chase your losses!

Poker Mistakes #4 - Money Management

Most novice players don't know how to manage their bankroll. They play in games they cannot afford or games where the other players are too experienced.

You need to play in lower limit games first, to gain experience and then move up levels slowly.

Sure, the winnings look attractive in higher stakes games, but the competition is harder too - don't punch above your weight!

Poker Mistakes #5 - Not Knowing Pot Odds

Does your hand need improvement?

The concept of pot odds can help you decide if you should call to see the next card on the board.

Few novice players understand the concept of pot odds and end up calling too much and lose - don't make the same mistake.

If You Want to Win Big, Prepare Yourself in Advance

The growth of online poker has seen a huge influx of players just seeking the thrill and excitement of playing. In many instances they don't care if they win or lose, they just want the buzz of competing.

Another group simply think it's an easy way to make money and lady luck will be on their side.

This however, is good news for players who are willing to prepare themselves properly. Sure its fun competing, but even better when there are plenty of novice players making the pot bigger for you!