A seemingly trivial but I think important point I have learned the hard way is for a beginner to stay in the bigger games and find another game if there are less than 7 players.
Quite a few times i have hardly noticed the other players drifting off and been left " eyeball to eyeball " with what turned out to be a very competent shark. Needless to say I must have seemed like a tasty snack for the predator.

Great programme on TV last night - perhaps you saw it. The Hendon mob ( top international poker players ) got set up for a scam and were Conned completely by the team.