Poker-hard Cold Truth

By Author: Milford Walton
Total Articles: 7
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If you are like most people that dabble in the poker world, large or small, then you are a loser. I say this, because about 90% of all poker players are losers. That is based on the long haul. Over time, most poker players lose. Everybody has winning nights, extended winning sessions, be it over a few days, a week or more, but in the end, the negative swings do most players in over the long run. Does that have to be true? No it doesn't. But unfortunately, it is the condition that exists. It is the state that most players find themselves in, with no way out. That doesn't have to be you.

And no matter how many books you buy and read about poker strategy, strength of starting hands, position and all the other technical aspects of the game, there is no way to change the seemingly inevitable state that most poker players find themselves mired in as time passes.

Why is that? Because poker is not about the cards. Of course, you can't play poker without cards and without rules. But everybody that sits down at a poker table, experiences the same thing. Has the same rules to abide by.......uses the same cards, breathes ...
... the same air.....is exposed to the same light. Also, every player at some time, gets hot runs and gets cold runs.

Then what is the difference? The difference is YOU! It's that simple. Don't freak out, there is a lot more. But the real difference is you........yes you. The rub is that you are a very complicated machine. As a human, you take something that is simple, and tend to make it hard and then take something hard, and do your best to make it simple. That's not how the universe works. Simple things are simple and hard things hard.

Poker is not just a game. It's a multifaceted human interaction, based on a certain set of rules. How you interact during your stay at the table, will dictate your results. Win or lose. Your interaction with fellow players is a direct result of who you are, which is naturally a combination of your life's experiences. Your core values as a human being will come into play at times. Your fears and anxieties, along with your attitude toward money will play an integral part in your obtaining success, or experiencing failure. Then there is the cultural aspects that are brought to the table.

Remember, that during any period, there could be as many as 10 players or as little as 2, in the case you are playing heads up. So that is up to 10 of you. Just a little taller, shorter, fatter, skinnier......brown, black, red, white or whatever. Even male or female. You are now more likely to be at a table with multiple women players as ever before. If you happen to be a woman player reading this book, then realize you actually have some extra tools that you can use. But that's a discussion for another time.

It's imperative that you are prepared. You need to be prepared to deal with whatever happens at the table. And as I'm sure you are probably aware of, anything is likely to happen. From fights, to amorous advances, which in many cases is the cause of the fights. Spilled drinks, to players that just won't shut up. Then there is the surly dealer to contend with in many instances.

So the first step to becoming a WINNING PLAYER is fixing YOU! Ok, you may not really be broken, but there are some cracks we need to seal up at least. We will start the fixer-upper project in the next chapter. But before we can start that journey, you must admit to yourself, that you are a losing poker player. When I say you are a loser, I am not speaking in respect to life. But just in respect to your position in the poker world. But that is just a temporary situation...a short stop along the way to Winner's Land.

In summary, the first step to becoming a winning player, is to acknowledge and accept that you are not one at present. If you were, you would most likely not be reading this book. Sure you have winning sessions, but are you ahead for the long term? If you feel you are, then put this article down right now and go on with your life. But if you think you can improve and get better and develop the ability to increase the amount and size of your winning sessions, then continue to think about what we just talked about. It will serve you in the long run.