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Many writers focus on the tactical side of poker. A smaller number focus on poker strategy. But few write about the psychology of poker
-- the mind's influence on player behavior. Poker players are their own greatest allies at the table, but too often they end up their own greatest enemy for
a variety of personal, "inner" reasons. While most of the articles here focus on poker strategy, which always involves our brains and thinking of
all kinds, below are articles that focus more directly on poker's "inner game": attitude, discipline, personal demons, comprehensive thinking,
game planning, preparation, financial responsibility, etc.
Winning poker is all about the long run. Despite (and because of) this, players engage in an endless amount of lazy play, where players squander occasional
bets hour after hour. Those squandered bets represent a fortune. Every bet is important, as is every action, as is every reason for an action. Conventional
"wisdom" is usually wrong. Most players lose, so if you want to win, you often want to do things differently than most players!
While poker does have instances of immediate gratification (winning a pot usually isn't that hard, even if it seems that way sometimes),
consistent winning poker is a lot of work. Everybody is trying to beat you, a
rake has to be overcome, your own fragile psyche has to be kept under
control... There are endless enemies arrayed against you. Over the long run, you have to fight hard for your rewards. You have to earn them.
If you want an immediate reward, watch television. If you want to pay your dues and earn your way into the winner's circle, read on.
Poker Discipline
The most fundamental, most important poker skill of them all
Poker Tells - Reading Players
The body language of poker
Online Poker Tells
The language of online poker
Manipulation and Deception
Manipulate your opponents, don't
confuse them
Risk
To win, you must risk loss
Ego
Play for money, not ego points
Preparation
The art of poker
Know Your Opponents
More on the Sun-tzu art of poker
Greed
Greedy poker players end up busted poker players
Envy
Profiting from the envy of opponents
Empathy
Walk a mile in your opponent's shoes
Enthusiasm
Seize the day by playing with purpose
Stereotypes
Analyze first, but when all else fails
Bullies
Facing down bullies of all sorts
Luck
Poker is a game of skill, but luck, and handling it, does play a large role
Stubbornness
Pigheaded poker
Talent Delusions
Live in the real world, not in an inflated fantasy
Goofballs
Being a short-sighted clown is a very limited strategy
Open Minds
Open your mind so you can open your pocket and insert your profits
Self-Centered and
Self-Absorbed
Your Mama lied, the world doesn't revolve around you
Left Brain Right Brain
Success requires using both sides of the brain
The Trinity of Poker
Playing with your head, heart and groin
Playing Away from the Ball
Much of the game takes place away from the table
Mental Poker
90% of the game is half mental
Proper Poker Pace
Fast enough to win, slow enough to finish
Man at the Top
Everyone wants to be the player at the top of the heap
Self-Control
Another look at discipline
The Long Run
A focus on the big picture, also see Poker Strategy and Reality TV
Poker Success
John Wooden's Pyramid of Success applied to poker
Losing Poker
Losing without being a loser
Beta Males and the Poker Plateau
When mediocre players think they are superstars
Why Play Poker?
Play for the real bottom line, to win money |
