So you think you’re a pretty good poker player? If any these 10 things sound like you, then I hate to break the news to you… you’re probably not that good. And that’s a concern.

Making mistakes when playing Texas Holdem can be costly to you if you make them, but if your opponent makes them you can cash in – if you know what to look for.

10 Biggest No Limit Texas Holdem Mistakes:

1. Playing too many hands: Hand selection is key for winning poker, but it’s something that all too many new players fall prey to. The old phrase goes you can’t win if you don’t play, but for beginners it really should say you can’t lose if you don’t play.

2. Showing your cards: If you can leave your opponents guessing as to what you had, DO IT! Don’t give away your poker skills (if you have any) by showing them to the rest of the table. Don’t give any more information then you need to.

3. Playing distracted: If you’re going to play poker then play poker. Don’t watch the game, don’t listen to your new CD – don’t do anything that will distract you. Focus on the game or say good-bye to your money.

4. Chasing bad draws: Don’t go after that one card to the nuts just because if you hit it you’ll win a huge pot. Guess what? When you don’t hit it you’re handing money away over and over.

5. Not following pot odds: You can actually learn pot odds. Do yourself – and your wallet – a favor by learning and implementing them. (Pot odds are the odds you are getting when you are drawing, without considering future bets.)

6. Playing over your head: Far too many players have lost big money because they think the big-money tables are where they need to be. Wrong. Start at the cheap seats and once you’ve gained the confidence (and padded your bankroll nicely!) move up to higher stakes. Playing higher stakes too early will simply clean you out faster.

7. Calling too much: Don’t be a calling station. If you call more often than you raise or fold, your game has a big hole in it. Fill that hole.

8. Overvaluing Aces: The Ace isn’t the be-all-and-end-all card. Just because you have an Ace in your hole cards doesn’t make them worth playing every time.

9. Too much bluffing: All the pros making their big bluffs have made bluffing the next big thing – and it makes for great television. But you’re no Chris Moneymaker. Bluffing is only the right thing to do in certain situations. Learn these situations and use the tactic of bluffing to make money, not lose it.

10. Thinking you’re the best: The sad truth is that there are more bad poker players out there than there are good ones. So don’t kid yourself into thinking that you can beat anyone.