The Truth About Poker

I had a discussion with some experienced semi-professional and professional poker players. We were debating the major source of wins & income in poker. The two options were simple: A) We make the most amount of money and wins from the stupidity and ineptitude of the competition we face, OR B) We make the most money and wins from our own sly traps and great plays.

We had to concede that our successes in one session or one pot will often involve both of these elements. For instance, an opponent may tip a tell that you exploit for your profit. It was partially his ineptitude (option A) AND your skill at perceiving this tell that helped to maximize the pot (option B). Also, there is a certain skill in identifying ring game tables that are soft and weak, which involves both options. Let's not get stuck on these types of in-between circumstances. I want us to think of the more general concept: is our skill more important than the poor play of the opposition?

Ok, we've all been amazed by the ridiculous decisions that some our opponents have pulled. I've had online competitors call-off all of their chips with 2-4 off-suit. So some of you are thinking option A is the way to go. On the other hand, we've all slow played trips perfectly to rake in a huge pot. So, you may be leaning towards option B.

Let me stop right there. Perhaps I've mislead you a bit in this introduction. My contention during the debate is that it was a moot debate. You see, only one thing really matters: our own play. You see, we have absolute control over our opposition and their play. If they choose to bluff into a multi-way pot from poor position, so be it. This all goes into the frustrating mentality that I perceive from many players. The goal is to be the best player that you can be, not to be better than your inept opposition! Being the best player at a .25/.50 table does not make you a great player. Being the guy who always monies at you home game in your buddy's basement does not mean you are "at the next level."

I guess what I am saying is let's forget whether you are making money from poor opponents, or from your great & sly plays. It doesn't matter, in the end. What does matter are questions such as: am I improving?, am I learning?, am I maximizing my wins?, am I minimizing my losses?, am I making good reads?, am I making good lay-downs?, am I moving towards my goals?, am I making good decisions?, am I confident?, am I patient? All of these questions are more important, at their root, than am I winning? or am I making a profit?

After each playing session that you sit down for, take some time for self evaluation. Run through the questions I just posed, as well as some more that help you to hone your game. Poker is a lifelong marathon, not a sprint. Success is measured over the lifetime of play, not a single session, and not a single hand. Take your poker personal psychology one step at a time in your poker quest.

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