Poker is as complex a game as any and it would not be an exaggeration to call it an art. And as any art, it requires a bit of philosophy. Because unless you are a machine you need more than the electricity running up and down your spine to motivate you towards genuine love (of a game as well as of a person) and true accomplishment. Naturally, you don't have to be a "philosopher" to have a philosophy and if the term makes you uncomfortable you might as well change it to "imagination" or "psychology."
You can learn to force yourself to do whatever it is you dislike and improve exponentially by tapping into the imagination and perception within you. For instance, compare developing your skills of communication with taking a cold shower, an unpleasant shock to the system at best. But that feeling can be ameliorated over time and after a few months of cold showers once or twice or week, you may begin to look forward to them. They have certain advantages, like waking you up and making you feel so good when you get out.
Learning any new skill is applicable to the cold shower story. Most of us like the challenge of learning something new even though there is some stress involved.
Try cold showers and, with the perspective of the enterprise washed in healthy glowing colors, with this philosophy in mind plunge into whatever poker areas you most dislike.
Okay, no more lessons on philosophy, it is now time to consider more pragmatic advice. A good way to acquire meaningful expertise is by hiring a professional trainer to give you private, hands-on lessons without the embarrassment to you caused by onlookers. The coach will point out your weaknesses, most of which you are probably unaware of, so you can learn from them and move on. A good trainer will have you make notes of your play so you can continue to learn from both your strengths and weaknesses.
If the cost of a professional trainer is too much for you, the alternative is to acquire poker friends: sincere and frequent arguments even between average players significantly improve logic and perceptiveness. You may also want to be a member of poker forums. Very good players often post and share valuable experience via online forums.
Jot down notes whether playing online or offline. You can review these later and don't have to depend on memory alone, which given the complexity of the game will probably fail you in the end. The notes will aid you in formulating a self concept of how you are playing the game and why you made the moves you did. This is applicable as well to your opponents. The goal of this recordkeeping and critical review is to progress to the point where you can ask crucial questions before you make a move.
What reaction do you expect from the opponent? Is that expectation, dictated by the current situation, consistent with what you have managed to learn about the opponent? Can that bet or raise evince the expected reaction? What hand do you want him to think you have? In which specific cases do you want him to call or raise?
Learning to ask these questions of yourself on a regular basis may seem tedious and difficult. Pretty soon, though, you will find it a challenging and addictive process. Now you are a poker player for real.
You can learn to force yourself to do whatever it is you dislike and improve exponentially by tapping into the imagination and perception within you. For instance, compare developing your skills of communication with taking a cold shower, an unpleasant shock to the system at best. But that feeling can be ameliorated over time and after a few months of cold showers once or twice or week, you may begin to look forward to them. They have certain advantages, like waking you up and making you feel so good when you get out.
Learning any new skill is applicable to the cold shower story. Most of us like the challenge of learning something new even though there is some stress involved.
Try cold showers and, with the perspective of the enterprise washed in healthy glowing colors, with this philosophy in mind plunge into whatever poker areas you most dislike.
Okay, no more lessons on philosophy, it is now time to consider more pragmatic advice. A good way to acquire meaningful expertise is by hiring a professional trainer to give you private, hands-on lessons without the embarrassment to you caused by onlookers. The coach will point out your weaknesses, most of which you are probably unaware of, so you can learn from them and move on. A good trainer will have you make notes of your play so you can continue to learn from both your strengths and weaknesses.
If the cost of a professional trainer is too much for you, the alternative is to acquire poker friends: sincere and frequent arguments even between average players significantly improve logic and perceptiveness. You may also want to be a member of poker forums. Very good players often post and share valuable experience via online forums.
Jot down notes whether playing online or offline. You can review these later and don't have to depend on memory alone, which given the complexity of the game will probably fail you in the end. The notes will aid you in formulating a self concept of how you are playing the game and why you made the moves you did. This is applicable as well to your opponents. The goal of this recordkeeping and critical review is to progress to the point where you can ask crucial questions before you make a move.
What reaction do you expect from the opponent? Is that expectation, dictated by the current situation, consistent with what you have managed to learn about the opponent? Can that bet or raise evince the expected reaction? What hand do you want him to think you have? In which specific cases do you want him to call or raise?
Learning to ask these questions of yourself on a regular basis may seem tedious and difficult. Pretty soon, though, you will find it a challenging and addictive process. Now you are a poker player for real.
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