Do you think you possess what it takes to be successful in poker? Every poker player needs to possess certain traits to emerge as an effective poker player. These traits are akin to both – cash game players and tournament players. Here are the seven key traits that you should bring to play to be an effective poker player:
Goal-Oriented
Every effective poker player should be goal-oriented to emerge as a winning player. Poker players should keep track of every detail and deadlines to make better use of their time and money. While following this approach, a resourceful player should take the lead by demonstrating his abilities, and even bluffing when necessary. Thus, an avid player should not be the follower and should not let his opponents control the action at the table.
Focused
Every poker player should always concentrate and set his sight on the game. If playing poker live at a casino, poker players should focus on game of poker, instead of watching the cricket game on TV or checking out the cocktail waitress. Likewise, online players should not talk on phone and browse the web while playing online poker. Being focused directs poker players to give their best shot in the game.
Intelligent
Intelligence in poker relates to the mathematical aspect of the game. Though some players are good in maths in comparison to others, but the implicit probabilities remain the same for all. Poker players should keep on practicing their game in order to strive and come on strong and against the odds. They should view their loss in the game as an opportunity to enhance their poker skills.
Disciplined
Discipline is what keeps poker players under control and act with decorum. Discipline directs a poker player to follow a convention play thereby road blocking their mind to divert in wrong play. Poker players who are disciplined know what to do, how to do and when to do acknowledging the rules of the game.
Alertness
You must have heard a universal saying: “Leading in Tough Times is Worthwhile”.In a similar way, an effective poker player is one who can not only lead in good times but also in adverse times. You will come across poker players who go on full-blown-life-tilt after a bad beat, and end up losing more than winning. Hence, being mentally tough helps a poker player to overcome bad beat calmly, and perform well when things are going bad.
Fearless
Fearlessness here relates to the strength of a poker player. A poker player is considered fearless if he / she do not let the fear overcome their decisions. Did you know fearful players are called ‘sitting duck’ in poker not because they hold on to their patience waiting for the right cards to fall, but for their incapability to take right decisions on time. Hence, poker players should make the bold moves when the time is right fearlessly instead of thinking about the money they may lose, how silly they make look, etc.
A Balanced Life
Most of the aspiring poker players who take up poker as a full-time career do not treat it as a definite and reliable job. If a recreational player intents to go pro, then he/she has to play not only willingly but also forcefully to earn livelihood, As a professional player, a person has to live and breathe player but with a right balance – a balance between poker life and personal life by maintaining relationships and social life outside of poker. Though it’s tough to manage both the lives, and all you need to do is outplay poker, and don’t let poker outplay you.
