Patience Pays
27 January 2010Poker players love to be in the action, but to play online poker profitably, one has to fold often rather than chase after speculative hands. Poker is won by avoiding mistakes and exploiting the bad decisions of others.
To win at online poker, you have to practice discipline and not enter pots with marginal hands just because you are growing bored from folding. Giving into boredom is one way to wipe out any chips you have earned by playing a disciplined strategic game.
Of all the skills you need to succeed at poker, patience is one of the most important factors. Not only must you practice it in every hand, at every table, but also be patient when you grow bored playing the same game at the same level, and want to move up to higher stakes. When you are winning at your current level, it’s natural to want to reach for the higher reward.
Before making any risky moves to a higher stakes level, consider your skill set, your discipline and bank roll. Are you prepared to deal with bigger sharks and can you handle some losses? Can you put ego aside and step back down if you are continually beat at the higher level?
Hasty decisions in poker are almost always a mistake. Stick to discipline play in every game, and recognize your real limits before taking bigger risks at higher stakes.
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