One word key to poker success

Author: Simon Dexter

To stand any chance of winning at poker, players should keep one word in mind at all times.

That word is ‘discipline’ and without it, no matter how good a player is at other aspects of the game, it will lead to their ultimate downfall and most importantly they will lose plenty of money.

Discipline must be followed at all levels of playing poker whether that is waiting for a good hand, looking for the right game to get involved with and when to seize a good opportunity.

Along with discipline, it is imperative to keep your emotions in check at all times and to play each hand on its merits. The beauty of poker is that it throws up so many imponderables every hand, so the patience to wait for the edge is vital in any successful strategy.

This discipline also includes not playing when drunk, when emotionally or physically tired and even when you feel your game is not at its best. Remember that poker is now a 24-hour industry and there are plenty of opportunities to play so why not play only when you are feeling your best. (If you feel you are at your best when drunk then perhaps you have a bigger problem than a ropey poker game).

Next to discipline in important poker basics comes observation. The need to observe the playing styles of opponents can not be stressed enough - whether for low or high stakes, 100 per cent concentration is needed. There is no point switching off when your hand has been folded, you must watch the continuing play and try to work out your opponents strategies. Spotting weaker players at this stage can give you an upper hand later in the play. At times it is easy to switch off and be diverted by other things on your computer but if you want to stay in the black then observation will pay in the long term.

The most successful players have a bankroll especially for poker. They only use this money to play with and never dig into other accounts. Now, while this might seem an obvious way of going about things, the number of players who fail to curb their spending is vast. Stay ahead of these players and it could be you reaping the rewards in the long term.

A bankroll needs to be managed and it is important not to play too close to your limit. The ruin of many an organised gambler is playing in games where a bad loss can wipe them out. To paraphrase Harrry Enfield, “Poker players, know your limits.”