Now, you might not like this last bit but it’s true. If you enjoy doing other things while you’re playing you’re going to lose. That’s because if you’re happy chatting or being distracted by Match of the Day you’re not concentrating on what’s going on around the table.

Poker can be a long-haul game and you need to have patience and be able to sit through hands you’re not playing, while still keeping focus on what’s going on around you. Drift off and you’ll miss vital bits of information that could win or lose you the game later on.

The good news is that most players, especially on the lower-stakes tables online, are remarkably consistent in movemaking and basic play. The best players note down every characteristic and tell and that’s why they win consistently. Make basic notes when you’re playing and look out for the same players again. It’s easy to identify people’s mannerisms but you need to be constantly vigilant.