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It’s been my experience that beginner’s luck is a common occurrence in Texas Hold ‘em games.  Here are some basic tips:

1. If your hand has two lower cards that are fairly far apart (2-7, 2-8, 3-7, or 3-8) with different suites, consider folding right away.  Any pair you make will be low, and making a straight or flush is either impossible or a long shot.
2. If your hand is a Q-8 or any pair of cards higher than that, at least pay to see the flop.
3. Always look at the board to see what the best possible hand is that other players might have.  Some beginners get a hand and forget about what can beat them.
4. Having a low pair (i.e. two 4s) in your hand is not a great starting hand.  Chances are, someone will at least pair something on the board and it will be higher than yours.
5. If you’re playing against a skilled player, they will be watching you.  If the cards lying on the table might make a good hand, pretend like a dummy that you have it.  For example, if a 7, 8, and 9 turn up on the flop (first three cards turned on the table), mouth the words “seven, eight, nine, ten, jack” while looking back at your hand.  Save this for when the pot is large or the number of people still in the hand is small.  This only works with a true beginner who can play dumb and should be used sparingly.

You’ll learn other strategies the more you play, but this should add to your beginner’s luck.