Here are some tips for novices playing lower limit online Hold'em.
Position and hand selection - You should use proper hand selection based on your position. Most online players play in to many pots with weak hands and the best offence is to tighten up and play textbook poker.
Reading the Flop - Online poker is fairly fast so ensure you can look at a flop and determine what is the best possible hand, are there straight or flush draws and with the texture of the flop, is it likely of to hit anyone left in the hand.
Notes - No matter what limit you play, take notes on players. You should try to generally label them as tight, loose, aggressive, passive, calling station, etc. These notes can help during decisions where you are unsure.
Tells - Although it's much harder online, you may see that when you check the players behind you immediately check also, this may show that they have the automatic check on and may show weakness. If a player takes a long time before betting, make a note if this is a tell of strong hand.
Small Tournament Fields - Playing in smaller tournaments with smaller buy-ins will build confidence if you are dominating them. This will give you lots of experience for a cheap entry.
Don't gamble with more than you can lose - Don't chase after your money if you experience a loss or move up higher in limits hoping to win it back faster. It would be better to wait until you have some money saved up again than to play with the rent money.
Avoid Loose Play - You are going to get beat by bad players making bad plays, do not their game. Overall, the lose it all back, maybe not to you but they do. It's much better to play tighter than looser.
These tips are some of the basics that all players should follow. They are intended for the beginner and lower limits because play changes as levels change.
