Do you want to be a successful poker player? Then you must know yourself and your
best and worst personality traits. Knowledge of personal weaknesses and strengths
is the alpha and omega of all poker players, at least for those who want to improve
their poker skills and make a profit while doing so.
Decide whether poker is a hobby or a job
As a poker player, you will need to make an important decision on what level you
want to play. It becomes much easier to control your playing as soon as you have
decided for yourself whether poker is a hobby or an actual career. A hobby is supposed
to be fun and enjoyable. If it's not - then stop playing! If poker is your job,
then you are supposed to consider it as a job. However, if you find yourself thinking
your occupation is boring too many times a day, you had better reflect on the possibility
of choosing a different career path.
Get to know yourself
Whether you intend to turn poker into a hobby or a profession, you always have to
know yourself and have the strength to look at your own weaknesses and strengths.
It is harder than it might sound. Poker players are generally known to blame downfalls
on their opponents or bad cards, or make up other possible excuses. And when there
are no excuses left, it's easy to blame the lack of luck (or say that the opponents
just got the rub of the green). Anyone who wants to call himself 'a good poker player'
needs to look beyond bizarre excuses and analyse what actually went wrong and if
the mistake can be adjusted before it occurs next time.
How's your ego doing?
Playing poker - or any other game or sport with confrontation of other players -
automatically triggers the winning mentality. Unfortunately, poker also challenges
our fragile ego. Meeting defeat is difficult and good poker players must constantly
check their ego and never allow themself to think negatively. Losing your ego will
knock your confidence to the ground; consequently eliminating your chances of winning.
When facing difficulties in poker, make sure to tackle them in the best possible
way by simply believing in yourself. However, keep your ego in check - hubris is
never a good thing.
Never play upset
You might as well throw money down the drain if you are considering sitting down
at a poker table while being angry, sad or upset. Your skill level is automatically
being lowered when you are upset or worried. There is no point in playing if you're
in a bad mood. If you're already at a poker table when becoming sulky, it is time
to leave the game. Do something else for a while, dispel your negative thoughts
and return to the game when your positive mindset is back.