Poker game has been one of the most enjoyable games in the gambling world. For beginners or people who watch the game for fun, a poker game might look like some entertaining event where you sit around the table, place cards, and win large amounts of money in an easy-peasy way.
Sorry, but that’s not how the game goes. Professional players will argue that this game requires a proper poker mind coach for its success. A long time ago, the game was all about smoking and drinking beer with your friends while placing your cards or folds. What a life!
It wasn’t taken seriously until a few years ago. Play Casino Hold’em here to have an idea of how the game is currently played and the rules to follow.
Some people play it as a form of living. For these people and other poker wannabes, they will agree that you need a good strategy and the right poker mindset to avoid bad beats.
For novice users, this may sound like one of those hard and tricky mathematical terms in a math class – which trust me, is boring- but this is different. So, what is a poker mindset?
What is a poker mindset?
According to the Meriam-Wester dictionary, a life mindset is simply a state of mind or a mental attitude. In our case, the poker mindset means a player’s mental attitude, opinions, and overall move towards the game. This is where players are categorized according to their game actions and attitude.
Some of these categories include:
- Passive poker players
These are players who rarely play. They mostly call and fold their cards but they won’t make a raise of their own. They fight for minor spots.
- Sticky players
These are players that don’t fold if they catch any part of the poker board. They frequently avoid bluff and increase their bets.
- Aggressive players
These are the key roles in the world of poker. They hugely contribute to a player’s biggest wins or biggest losses. They will play in almost all the poker hands but it will be difficult for them to bluff out of a hand.
- Tight poker players
These are players who play fewer hands than everyone else. They are very selective of the hands and positions they play in. You can beat them by playing aggressive or loose games.
Always look for these poker players at the table session to develop a good strategy.
Recognizing different players’ categories might be one of the best strategies for poker success but you still need the right poker mindset and traits to keep you going. What are these traits and how can they help?
Important traits to have for the right poker mindset
This mental game is constantly evolving with new techniques coming up each day. If you want to stay ahead of everyone at the table, you better exploit, consume, and swallow these traits and be satisfied with them.
Of course, it’s not physical swallowing but simply understanding and adopting them in your game to maximize your profits.
- Closely check your bankroll management
Before everything and this means before inviting anyone for the game, you must manage your money for the number of stakes you are willing to play. Note that this is a gambling activity and anything can happen. If you are not sure of the game, then don’t place your bets as it can leave you totally broke.
Good bankroll management can also reduce stress and possible pressure while playing which increases your focus and overall performance.
- Develop a good poker strategy
”Poker is a hard way to make an easy living ” this is according to our great poker legend, Doyle Brunson.
Poker is surely not an easy game as it revolves around the math world. Does that sound tedious already? Don’t be bored, there is no need of memorizing some long boring formulas or use a calculator to find some unknown ‘x’.
All you need is game intelligence. Make sure you develop a fast reading skill at the game dynamics to viewpoint opponents. Poker might contain some bit of luck but a major part of it needs skills.
Have a strong observational skill of what your opponents are doing, calculate their moves, and quickly make informed decisions to counter them. Adapt these strategies to the game and you will note an improvement. Also, check the casino game guides to get other strategies to follow.
- Develop a firm control of your emotions
Have you ever seen players who after losing one hand they start feeling pressured, become pissed off, and end up making imprudent decisions? If yes, then know that uncontrolled emotional feelings are the major contributing factor.
Everyone has their poker life happy moments and failures but how you deal within is what keeps you at the top. Pressure can develop once you start failing at a bluff attempt or losing your hand. These feelings can lead to poor decisions that add more lost hands.
Keep calm and try to learn from your mistakes. Developing a healthy balanced life can also help to keep your cool.
- Be disciplined
Discipline comes from focus. If you are focused, you will try to learn as much from your opponents and come up with better mind-reading skills. This is a mental game. Observe your opponents’ table talks and their folds.
Try not to show your emotions as your opponents can use this against you. This can help make good folds even when you are frustrated. Your intuitions should not be overlooked. Sometimes it is better to leave the table if things are not turning out well.
- Be patient
”Everyone gets lucky once in a while but no one is consistently lucky” – from Doyle Brunson.
Our legend poker pro also admitted that the game might not be friendly all the time. The ability to stay in your game no matter the situation is what differentiates average players from professionals.
In online poker, you may spend a lot of time folding your hands waiting for a good hand. This routine can be boring especially if you are not getting the right hands, bonuses and promotions. You need to be patient to be successful. Choose a site that offers additional bonuses like the bitcoin video poker games.
Having good poker traits for a proper mindset can be awarding but knowing how to improve them might award even more. So, how should you improve the poker mindset?
How to improve the poker mindset
”Poker is a war. People pretend it’s a game” – Doyle Brunson.
In any war, ]soldiers have to train every day to improve their fighting skills and defeat their enemies. Just like the war, you also need to improve your poker mindset to effectively counter your opponents. How do you do that?
- Read more poker books
You might notice that this article has a lot of speeches from Doyle Brunson. That is because I often read his books and listen to his interviews and games. You should also do the same. Other poker professionals include Elliot Roe, Ian Taylor, and Matthew Hilger.
It doesn’t matter how good you are, poker is consistently evolving and hence you need to read an updated poker book, watch more poker movies and forums and learn how to flow with the pace.
- Organize online home poker games with your friends
This will give you a chance to play more games and get the right experience. Also playing with others can help learn how to calculate your opponents’ moves and quickly make informed decisions to avoid bad beats.
You can practice emotional control during these sessions and apply them when playing competitive cash games.
- Work on your mindset to adopt a professional mental game.
Avoid daydreaming when it comes to poker games. Create your goals and train to have a smart visualization. Listen to great poker professionals like Ian Taylor, Matthew Hilger, and others. Create brain training sessions by making mindful breathing a habit.
Meditation and mindful breaths can help gain emotional stability. Be prepared for anything: you can either win or lose. In case you lose work on your mistakes.
Conclusion
Poker is a mental game that has been for decades. New skills and techniques keep on developing and hence a poker player needs to adopt the right poker mental coach. Just like any other game, poker requires patience, dedication, discipline, and effort it.
If you develop and adopt the right mindset, then expect success in your poker journey.