Poker is competitive and typically brings out a person’s courageous side. You have to be willing to shove all of your chips into the middle knowing that you’re an underdog. With eight high, sometimes you have to make a move. That said, poker can sometimes bring out the worst in people. It’s important to know what you may face as you dive deep into the online poker world, both good and bad. Luckily, we’re here to help. Here are some vices to be wary of as you make your rise in poker:

1. The Gambling Itch: I wouldn’t call this problem gambling, but it’s unwise to take your entire bankroll off Party Poker and start playing online keno. Poker players are gamblers at heart, but you have to be a bit discretionary. It’s the same problem that you’d face at a brick and mortar casino. After spending hours grinding out $4/$8 Limit Hold’em, it might be tempting to blow it all in 10 minutes at the craps table. Online, with blackjack and other casino games often just a click away, the temptation is definitely there. By practicing good bankroll management, you can steer clear of games of chance and focus on games of skill.
2. Alcohol: When you’re sitting around playing poker, it can be a drain on you emotionally and physically. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to start drinking when you’re at the tables. Sure, it may make you feel better and probably will make you a little bit more fearless, but losing control while you’re playing poker is not a very beneficial idea to either your health or your bankroll. Stay away from alcohol when you drink. Instead, use it to celebrate.
3. Cheating: It might seem like a good idea to get any edge and, frankly, it is. With poker at an all-time high in terms of competitiveness, it’s easy to understand why people would try to cheat. However, don’t cheat in order to get ahead in poker. There have been numerous instances of prominent players underage gambling and multi-accounting online. Don’t let yourself get caught up in any transgressions online. Let your quality poker play do the talking. After all, you wouldn’t cheat in a live casino, would you? You would get thrown into the room with no cameras and be beaten into submission by a tattooed guy named Bruno.
4. Aggression and Tilt: These are two big problems for online poker players. It’s very easy to get caught up in the game, especially with a large amount of money on the line. It’s unfortunate to have a five-hour long tournament run end when your aces get cracked by 3-6 suited. You’ll often find online poker players cursing, throwing their computers, and ripping their hair out because of tilt. Letting off steam is fine, but regain your composure and then hit the tables. Letting aggression and tilt linger are cardinal sins in poker. Bad beats happen. Just roll with the punches.
5. Hubris: This is a term I first learned in Greek mythology. Don’t get overly confident in poker. Don’t think that you can win every single hand. Having an ego and taking pride in your game is important. However, playing recklessly because of it will cause your poker game to sputter. Remember, poker is just a game, whether you’re the best player in the world or not. Keep your hubris, or excessive pride, in check.

There you have it. Five pitfalls that any poker player, skilled or not, may have at the tables.