Luck does not exist. The more you concentrate on being lucky or unlucky, wishing for luck, or cursing bad luck, the more mental energy is exasperated away from the game, putting you in a mental hole. (this tip is useful throughout the game, not just before you sit down.

getting started

If your goal is to win, then you're in for the long haul. When you just join a game, your cards don't matter. Take the long view, and get a line on your opponents. To really win you need information, so fold as often as need be in the beginning to read your opponents. Look for betting tendencies, composure and habits to get a feel for whom you're playing against. Use their vices to your advantage and crack the game wide open.

Getting a feel for your opponent involves studying where their awareness lies. If they never believe that someone is bluffing, then they probably don't do a lot of it themselves. Also, what your opponent believes you are going to do is probably the same thing he would in your situation, so take note of that.

not going anywhere
Control is an asset all good players have. They can play as long as they like without going broke. Practice patience very early in the game so that you play longer than it takes for you to down the drink by your side.

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to playing poker. When you join a game, you are faced with eight potentially new opponents; they have only one. So when you dive in head first and attempt to guess the playing habits of all eight, you probably won't come up for air. You have to realize that they have only one newcomer to worry about. Be observant, absorb and learn. You can pick up on some of your opponents' tendencies by throwing away a few hands. Remember, you want to win, not win fast.

mixing it up
Your opponents can't figure out your strategy if you don't have one. Mix things up a little. Don't always use the same game plan, especially if you play home games with the same players. If your opponents think you are clueless, they get reckless.

decisions, decisions
Every hand is a new hand, which means every decision should be a new one too. Don't become a creature of habit. Base all betting and card actions on the facts at hand. Concentrating on the present will counter falling victim to repetition.

look at me
Be "Da Man": If you're active, energetic and animated, then you become the center of attention. The more people pay attention to you, the less time they put into their game, and that is when mistakes are made. If someone else happens to be making all the noise, don't fall for it. Sit back and wait until you can use it against him, and quiet the noise.

Always be polite to he who makes a stupid move. If someone is lucky enough to beat you when he makes a mistake, be polite and encourage his play. This will make him feel like he knew what he was doing and in turn, it's likely that he'll to do it again.

when you got it, you got it
Don't get too greedy. When you have a monster hand, play it. Don't wait to try and increase the pot, and give the opportunity for a weaker hand to catch up. Inversely, don't convince yourself that you're invincible and bluff with a fairly weak hand. Certainty is the key, so bet it when you got it.

There is something you should remember when playing poker. Whether for money or sport, poker should be fun, and there is a hell of a lot more fun in winning! Nobody likes to lose, and now you've been pointed in the right direction. Make me proud!