Next to drop slot is what's known as 'discard tray'. Play starts after dealer shuffles cards, deck is 'cut' by a player using a 'marker card' (NOT bare hand), and finally dealer 'burns' a card (or throws it away in order to ensure randomness). Before cards are dealt, you make your bet by placing chips or cash into betting box. Be aware that you can sit out a hand or 2 if you like - maybe you need a break, or dealer is just on a lucky streak. Note that if casino is busy, you may be asked to give up your seat so another punter can take your place (or alternatively resume game yourself). If you really don't want to play, just get up and vacate seat - you can always come back later!

When all players who want to play in this round have placed a bet, 2cards will be dealt to each player going from left to right. Some casinos deal cards face down. Elsewhere cards are dealt face up, in which case NEVER touch them - assumption if you do is that you are cheating! The dealer deals himself 2 cards - 1 down and 1 up. Card values are, as everyone knows, 10 Jack Queen and King are worth 10, an Ace is worth 1 or 11, all other cards are worth their face values. In noisy casinos, be prepared to use hand signals to indicate whether you want to hit or stand.

How do you indicate 'hit'? If cards are dealt face down, flick cards gently across felt 2 times. If cards were dealt face up, point at cards with your finger in a jabbing style. You can nod your head to emphasise desire for a hit. If you'd prefer to stand, move your hand horizontally from left to right (palm down) to indicate 'no'. Always keep your hands a few inches off table to avoid suspicion. If you like, you can emphasise stand by shaking your head 'no' at same time.

You must study and constantly work on weak parts of your game. Reading a book like Hold'em For Advanced Players once, will not be good enough. You will have to read it over and over, and you must truly consume, study and learn it.

You must take game seriously at all times, maintaining your focus and always continue to learn, even when you are away from table.

Knowing where and at what times the loosest middle and upper limit poker games are played are number one secret for those that play professional poker online. Online poker professionals win most of their money from weak players(fishes-suckers), so finding a table with two or three fishes on it, is extremely important if you want to succeed at this game. Tight and conservative poker tables are not profitable to play on, even for professionals.