Playing poker successfully demands checking your ego at the door, since it can hinder your performance and obstruct optimal, profit-oriented decisions.
Special moves to impress your opponents
Attempting flashy, senseless moves, especially bluffs just to flaunt skill, is not a hallmark of a seasoned poker player. Contrarily, a competent player remains unbothered and would not exhibit such behavior.
Personal wars against certain players
Engaging in personal vendettas after losing to an opponent disrupts objective play. Focusing vengeance on a single player allows others to exploit your preoccupation, gaining an upper hand in the game.
Try to focus on all your sessions so good as possible.
Prioritize bringing your best game to every session. A few moments of intention-setting before starting can profoundly influence your emotional stability and focus throughout the game.
Play only limits and players where you are able to beat
Recognize and accept the limits and players you can conquer. Ego might prevent acknowledging when opponents are superior, but it’s crucial to play where you have an edge. Consider top football teams – while some are undoubtedly better than others, even those in lower ranks exhibit significant skill and prowess.
Improve your own skills
Investing in your skillset ensures increased confidence and reduces reliance on unstrategic plays to boost your ego. A solid understanding and mastery of your game prevent the ego from dictating decisions in unfamiliar situations.
You can not fold
Perceiving folding as a defeat, especially with large pots, can be detrimental. Rational analysis of your probability of leading, chances of beating an opponent with a draw, and whether the odds justify a call is imperative. Ego often obstructs logical thinking and prioritizes protecting one’s image over strategic play.
To play and force to be Break Even
Striving to break even in every session, especially when indicators suggest a departure, can impair your A-game, potentially escalating losses. Poker is a marathon, not a sprint; overall outcomes matter more than individual session results. Understand that forcing results in poker is futile and exacerbating a poor situation due to an inability to accept a loss is detrimental.
A limit, if you have to and the bankroll does not give it away anymore
Descending a limit, often perceived as a personal failing, is one of the toughest moves for a player. Despite the battle to ascend, descent is sometimes necessary, not due to lack of skill, but due to variance and swings inherent in poker. Preserving your bankroll, even if it means moving down a limit, is often crucial for bankroll management.
Evict bad players from the table
Rather than chastising bad players for suboptimal moves or luck-driven wins, maintaining a calm demeanor and providing encouragement is key. Bad players inject money into the system; without them, there are no winners. A true professional remains poised and avoids berating others—preserving a comfortable environment keeps players at the table and preserves your edge.
Conclusion of the mistakes by the own poker ego
Poker isn’t about ego or personal vendettas; it’s about accruing profit over the long term. Switch off your ego: know when to leave the table, avoid personal battles, and express gratitude towards all players, irrespective of their skill level or luck.
