Texas Holdem Poker is one of those 'minute to learn, lifetime to master' games. Pay attention to these three simple keys and you will be well on your way to master status.

1) Know the Basics! Many beginning players fall in love with the excitement of the game, orchestrating complex moves and making all kinds of wacky bets because they think it's fun and don't know any better. While it is enjoyable to dive right in, it's a surefire way to lose money.

The most important thing you can do is read a few books, go to internet forums, read articles online, play at small-stakes tables or play-money tables online to gain experience. I recommend "Harrington on Holdem" by Dan Harrington for no-limit tournament players. "Texas Holdem for Advanced Players" by David Sklansky is great for limit cash game players.

The 2+2 forums are a great place to talk about the game and a good source of articles is Card Player Magazine and its Web site, cardplayer.com.

2) Think About The Game. Once you have the basics down, it's all about gaining experience. Before you make any decision in Texas Holdem, ask yourself why you are making it - and you better have a good answer.

Don't just make a bet for the sake of making a bet. Ask yourself "What am I trying to accomplish with this bet? What cards might the other player(s) be holding? Which of those hands can I beat? Which of those hands might that particular player call with/fold?" After a poker session, always take a few minutes to think about various hands. Did you lose a hand you should have won. What could you have done differently? Could you have made more money with a hand in which you only won a small pot?

Think about mistakes you made and what you can do differently next time. Think about weaknesses in your game and make a note to discuss them with other players and read articles on that facet of the game.

Remember, just because you won a hand, that doesn't mean you played it well. The luck factor is always there and you have to see past short-term results to understand what you need to work on and see what you're doing right.

3) Vary Your Play. There is no poker player easier to beat than someone who plays the same way every time. Loose, tight, passive, aggressive, doesn't matter. If you play the same way, your opponents will catch on and exploit it.

Having a tight-aggressive style is generally optimal in no-limit Texas Holdem. But every once in a while, play certain hands more passively in random situations. Make a few looser calls when you're not committing too many chips. When you turn over hands that are odd for your style of play, it will throw your opponents off and confuse them. This will make it more difficult to play against you which will make you money in the long run.

About the Author

Evan LaGasse is an entrepreneur and online poker player. His Web site, 'The Featured Table.com', features up-to-the-minute poker news, tournament schedules, bonus deals and more. Get Poker News and Resources at The Featured Table.com