To grow their skills, poker players should seize every opportunity to learn, practice and improve. Unfortunately, many players miss out on opportunities in their poker journey for several reasons. If you feel like that’s the case for you, here are a few examples and ways how you can resolve them:
Fear of Bad Beats
One of the biggest reasons poker players miss out on opportunities in their journey is fear of bad beats. This fear can cause players to become too timid or scared to make big moves, leading them to consistently play a tight and conservative style that limits their profits and potential success.
An excellent way to fight this fear is to remember that bad beats are just a part of the game. No matter how tight or aggressive you play, there will always be instances where your opponent outkicks you due to luck. Accept this and embrace the variance as much as possible.
Tendency to Tilt
Another common reason why players miss out on opportunities is tilt. When a player experiences an unlucky run of cards or an unexpected bad beat, they can often become so emotionally invested in the game that their decision-making process becomes clouded and irrational. This results in them missing out on potentially good spots because they’re too upset to assess the situation and make a rational decision.
To combat this, take time away from the poker table when feeling tilted. Removing yourself from the game environment can help you clear your head and regain your composure to play with a level-headed approach.
Another way to reduce tilt is to manage your expectations. Understand that poker is a game of variance. Even if you are the best player, there will be times when luck isn’t on your side. Reducing your emotional investment in particular hands or situations will make it easier to take a more relaxed approach when playing.
Learning about tilt control methods such as mindfulness and meditation can also help you manage your emotions better when playing live or online poker. It keeps you level-headed, helping you stay in the game longer.
Refusal to Try Other Poker Variations
Many players can be hesitant to try out different variations of poker. After all, they already know how to play one type and feel comfortable with their skill set, so they feel like there’s no point learning others. That, however, often leads to players missing out on opportunities in other game variations, as they may not be aware of all the potential strategies or nuances associated with them.
It is natural to want to stick with what you feel comfortable with and are familiar with, but learning more variations will allow you to play more poker games. Doing so will keep your mind fresh and introduce you to new concepts and gameplays that can improve your overall poker game.
Furthermore, playing multiple variations of the game makes you more likely to find one that fits your particular style better, increasing your chances of success in the long run.
Not Learning More Advanced Poker Game Concepts
Not exploring the more complex poker strategies that could potentially increase success at the tables is a bad habit many players have. However, this trait is somewhat understandable, as understanding advanced concepts can often be challenging and require a lot of dedication and hard work to master.
Some are too intimidated to delve into more advanced concepts, so they stick to the basics and limit their growth as a player. On the other hand, some aren’t daunted. Instead, they feel like they need more time and energy to learn. Since they don’t have the luxury of both, they would rather just play their regular game and accept the results.
However, learning more advanced poker concepts is vital in improving as a player. It can open up your view of the game, teach you to think differently, and give you an edge over those who don’t bother to explore further.
If you are struggling with this, remember that there is no need to master all of the strategic nuances at once. Instead, focus on one concept at a time and take your time to fully understand it. Additionally, there are lots of resources available online that can help you learn the basics of advanced concepts and strategies.
Lack of Self-Awareness
The final major reason in the list is a lack of self-awareness. Knowing your tendencies, overcoming the bad, and capitalizing on the good ones are the keys to becoming a good poker player.
Unfortunately, many players fail to recognize their blind spots or areas where they can improve. As a result, they may make mistakes that cost them in the long run or miss out on potential gains that other, more aware players can take advantage of.
Be honest with yourself and recognize where your weaknesses lie to improve at poker. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be aware of the areas you need to focus on and finally decide how best to address them. It could mean taking a closer look at your decisions and the way you play. It could also mean taking a break from the game to practice other aspects of the game to level up your game.
You Miss the Shots You Canโt Take
There are many opportunities that players can miss if they fail to recognize and address their rooms for improvement. By becoming more aware of your tendencies, learning new poker concepts and variations, and being willing to try them out, you can dramatically increase your chances of success in the long run.