How do you feel when you face bad beat in a game and lost money? What’s your way to cope with unforeseen losses? Do you prepare yourself for the possible outcomes of the game before you play? It is not easy to digest defeat on a high stake poker table but if you are ready to take any unexpected blow and your winning exceptions are realistic then you can surely save yourself from long-term adverse effects of your losses.
Poker is an unpredictable game and even pros have lost their stakes many times against newbies. The only thing that separates an experienced poker player from an immature is the preparation and the manner they deal with unanticipated situations in the game.
Here are few golden rules of poker which you need to follow to become a successful poker player:
“Never let the game play you”
This popular lyrics of a song of 2Pac emphasize the need of never letting the game control your decisions on the table. Thinking rationally and controlling nervousness and excitement is important in poker. It is a universal truth that a player can NEVER win each and every game he plays. A great player can lose even when he is holding his best favorite hand. What’s necessary is to never let the defeat become a reason of anxiety or depression and unfavorably affect your game. Unexpected beating on a poker table can even turn you into a savage if you are not mentally prepared for it. Players usually regret when they fold a good hand or become unsuccessful to identify opponent’s bluff. “What could have been the result if I had reacted the other way in that situation?”, questions like that can lead you towards guilt and remorse. The best way to deal with that is take a break and return with more preparation next time which will eventually but surely lead you to the greatest winnings of your life.
“Evaluate your game”
Keep a realistic record about your strength and weaknesses. Find the mistakes and errors you made in your game and analyse the reasons to eliminate them permanently. There is no scope of fantasies, emotions, or imaginations about sudden big winnings in the game as you are risking real money when you play on high stake tables. Identify your limits and play only the hands you are confident and comfortable with.
“Keep your goals realistic”
Learn to set smaller goals for the game. Unrealistic expectations can make you confused and vulnerable when you play as they motivate you to take unreasonable decisions in the heat of the moment and you can lose great amount of money. Learn to make your move only after properly observing the table and the opponents. You need to convince your brain to act accordingly to reach the ultimate goal. Small achievements also boost your confidence and help you get rid of negative thoughts. You can calculate and maintain a dedicated bankroll to support your game. Always play with the money which you can afford to lose to save yourself from any financial troubles in life.
“Keep studying”
It takes ages to learn tricks and techniques of poker. It is true that there are no shortcuts to success, even in poker. You cannot enter into a million-dollar championship like WSOP or WPT directly and beat international players without any study, planning, or experience in playing in similar smaller events and expect reaching the 1st spot. Luck favors only the people who put their best efforts to achieve the desired success. Keep learning to improve your game with continuous practice and training. Patience is the key to get desired results in poker.