If you have been playing poker for quite some time, you know the game is not just like any other card game but one that requires a lot of training and practice. Poker is a mix of mathematics and logic. It takes a player to not just concentrate on their table physically but also work mentally on their strategies to play the next cards. And thus, a person’s mental well-being is also a key factor in being a good poker player. Jared Tendler has written two volumes of books on playing poker titled ‘The Mental Game’ and we bring you a summary of strategies that have been laid out by him.
• You need to have the right amount of energy at the time of playing the game. When your energy levels are low, your performance is also slow. It is not a good idea to play poker when you are feeling bored or unmotivated, it will result in a bad play. On the other hand, being too excited is also not a guarantee of a good play. Being overexcited can also result in making hasty moves. So balanced energy is important while playing poker.
• Skilled players have good observation skills so they can easily learn from their opponents. They study their patterns of betting, bluffs, timing and take advantage of the weaker players. So, if you are an amateur, try confusing your opponent.
• Never play the game when distracted, because the game only gets difficult from the first hand. The distractions could be your phone notifications, email, call, or social media. Lack of attention is the biggest loss in the game of poker.
• Be prepared to lose. No game only lets you win. Great players have reached that stage by facing major losses. Losing is inevitable in poker and it takes skill to accept defeat too.
• Decision-making skills are tested in poker and you need to learn how to make the right ones. Your decisions are the efforts you put into the game and they raise the stack for your opponents.
• Your focus levels are the tool for making proper decisions. But you cannot focus if your mind is preoccupied with other things. It instead causes mental stress and frustration with every loss. Don’t overwhelm your brain which in turn affects your concentration. Give your mind some free space, at least sometime before you are going to play poker. You need to be able to think clearly.
• Poker is a dynamic game and it becomes competitive with every round. You need to evolve with every game, which is a sign of learning. Be honest with yourself about the existing range of the game.
Remember poker is more of a game to be played with the mind than instinct. It involves studying all your opponents, unveiling their strategies, and based on it devising your own. Above all, you need to increase your mental toughness for consistent performances in the game.
