I haven't started a thread in a while. But I feel obligated to all the great poker minds I have met along my 15 year journey since I sat in the 4/8 game at Trop in March 2002.
I feel psychology is a very important part of poker. Whether playing for enjoyment or playing to pay the bills, your mental game in my view is the most important part.
We all know the basic elements elements that play a crucial role in a player's success. Bankroll management, game selection, tilt control, etc. A great player once told me if you feel uncomfortable in a game your either underrolled, overmatched, or emotionally unstable.
So from my journey from 4/8 at Trop to 80/160 at Borgata. I've learned 4 keys factors in the success or failure of a poker player.
1. Keep a healthy bankroll. 800 BB for limit and 40 buyins for NL. Swings will happen, so be prepared when they do. If you have 8k to your name, play 1/2. I've seen so many friends just hop into 2/5 and legit run bad and two months later they are preparing resumes.
2. Play in games where you are favored. I don't know how many BB I've torched playing 3 handed in games where I was an underdog. I saw a friend of mine was playing 15/30 who usually plays 200/400+ and I asked him why aren't you playing in the black game, and he responded off the table b/c there are 8 fish in this game and 0 in the 200/400.
3. Control your emotions. If you feel your playing bad, you probably are. Either quit or take a walk, go eat, or take a week off. You may think you can overcome tilt instantly, but trust me you can't.
4. Study and learn. Poker is a constant learning process and grind. Take a day during the week to read a poker book, study the forums, or get coaching. Poker is competitive and if you don't get better, others will take your place.
Whether playing for a living, part-time, or for fun, and I've done all of them over the last 15 years; I've learned one thing. Poker is a microcosm of life. You have to work hard and be disciplined if you want to be successful. Poker doesn't owe you anything. It seems simple but trust me it isn't.
The next time you are "running bad" be honest with yourself. Am I doing everything I can to put myself in the best situation to win? Grow up and embrace the journey that is the life of a poker player. GL.
What a great post, thanks! Hopefully some strat forum mods will see it and link it in theirs.
Quote:
I feel psychology is a very important part of poker. Whether playing for enjoyment or playing to pay the bills, your mental game in my view is the most important part.
What I tell friends and relatives who ask what poker's all about I answer 'The rules aren't hard but you have to know them, you can get strategy through study, but then you come up against the really hard part: controlling yourself.'
