There it is, ONE MILLLLLION DOLLARS! Sorry couldn't resist with the dr. evil pic, had to be done. Since I haven't written a blog post in a while I thought I'd use this meangingless milestone as an opportunity to spew some thoughts about being a poker player onto a page. Hopefully you get something out of this, I know I will.
Attitude: The most important thing by far, I don't care how many hours you've logged, videos you've seen or forum posts you've read, without the right attitude you won't go anywhere.
Confidence: It's imperitive. Have to believe in yourself. It's the backbone of success.
Success: it's an indivdual thing, don't compare yourself to others to decide how successful you are. Do your own thing, who cares what anyone else thinks?
Pride: "That's pride fucking with you. Fuck pride" Grudge matches? Seriously? Have to keep that internet rep up! A while ago (was playing 2/4 at the time I think) I was talking to a friend of mine who plays on the same site as me. He was talking to another reg on that site who told him he had the jesus seat on some drooler. I wish my friend never told him that it was me! Never take yourself too seriously.
Becoming an expert: Don't. If you suggest an idea that goes against an experts way of thinking they'll dissmiss it as being wrong without consideration. Be the beginner that's always open to different ideas. This mindset + experience is a very powerful combination.
Discipline: meh
Detachment: I used to live up to the ideal that I should be playing with complete detachment from results. Winning doesn't affect me, losing doesn't affect me. Essentially I'd be a robot. Don't try to do this, fact of the matter is that we aren't robots. Experience the wins and the losses and the emotions that go along with them, it's part of the ride!
Tilt: don't get too carried away with the above idea! I have been known to tilt, still do from time to time. There's so much written about this, the best thing I can think of is to not get angry at yourself if you do tilt. It happened, figure out why, move on.
Passion: If you want to improve and keep improving you have to be passionate. When I was moving up the levels I used to think about poker all the time, thnking about different and creative lines to take (then being annoyed when I saw them on a cr vid
). When I went to lectures I certainly wasn't thinking about maths! Watching a load of videos and playing a lot will only get you so far. Don't force yourself to play if you don't want to, or if you get into a drone like routine. Just take a break, poker isn't going away.
The games are dying: No they're not.
Dog eat dog: In essence that's what poker is, kill or be killed, but you don't have to look at it like that. Competition is healthy, being angry or having contempt towards your competitors is not. There's enough money to go around.
Bumhunters: Since the term is widely used I'll use it here, although I don't want to put "bumhunters" down since that just goes against what's written above! They make their choices and you have to respect that, they aren't breaking any rules. With that said, players who only play the fishies are no good for the games, and so in the long run are actually hurting themselves. Instead of hating them get them to realize that truth. If you are one of these players then that's cool, but it is much better for the games (and your game) if you play good players. So start some games with the regs, don't instantly sit out if the fish leaves, and play some regulars hu every now and again. Another thing to consider is that it's definitely no coincidence that all the top players frequently play other top players. Finally, you're a gambler, perhaps it's time to take a risk!
Spew: No-one plays flawless poker, and the way I see it is that, from a very general perspective, there are two ways in which you can deviate from flawless play; either you put too much money in the middle, or not enough. Be the player that puts a little too much in.
Ev graphs: what a waste of time.
Whining: either you can't control what you're moaning about in which case there's no point. Or you can and so instead of moaning, do something about it! Don't play the victim. I have certainly been guilty of this, just read some of my earlier blog posts! The last time you complained about a bad beat will be your last ever time!
Downswing: A poker player's greatest teacher.
Perspective: Right at the start of the graph (around hands 3k to ~5k) I went on a downswing, that was was of the toughest times of my poker career.
Have fun!!: Last and certainly not least. Why do something you don't enjoy?
Peace.
