Copyright 2006 Full
Tilt Poker
September 18, 2006
(View all Online
Poker Lessons)
Poker Lesson: Breaking Out of Your
Poker Comfort Zone
Author: Ben Roberts
Many beginner
poker players naturally gravitate toward a level of game where
they feel most comfortable. The reasons for their choice may vary,
but often include the size of their starting bankroll, and the
amount of money they feel comfortable wagering in a particular
hand or throughout a session.
This is perfectly normal and reasonable. One of
the things that separate truly profitable players from winning
players, however, is their willingness to step out of their comfort
zone and explore higher limit games.
After a few hundred hours of play, many people can
determine whether or not they are beating their regular games.
For those players who are showing a profit, there are some for
whom taking home an extra $100 or $200 per week is perfectly acceptable.
They're mainly playing for fun and the winnings are a nice benefit.
For others, however, poker may be a steady source of income, and
boosting their bottom line could significantly affect their lives
away from the table.
One of the smartest things these players can do
is to stretch their games and play at higher limits. With proper
planning, and the right approach, the rewards can be immeasurable.
To that end, I have some suggestions for players who are thinking
about taking their game to the next level.
First and most important, make sure you have the
bankroll to sustain yourself at a higher level. If you take a
shot and lose, you shouldn't have to worry about rebuilding your
bankroll from scratch. A good recommendation is to stockpile enough
money so that you can comfortably afford between eight and 10
buy-ins before you have to retreat to a smaller game.
This leads to my second piece of advice, which is
not to let a few losing sessions affect your attitude or impair
your judgment. I'm not saying that losing doesn't sting and that
tilt doesn't happen. They do. But, players who successfully move
up the ladder understand that not every session will be a winning
one, and that by constantly analyzing their games - and those
of their opponents' - they'll be able to make adjustments that
will help them succeed.
When moving up the poker ladder, you'll inevitably
encounter players with more experience and skill than you possess.
Recognizing these players and learning from them is one of the
smartest moves you can make. Conversely, letting your ego and
pride get in the way of observing these players can lead you to
keep investing money in a losing situation and, eventually, affect
your overall performance and excitement toward the game.
Remember, successful people fail more often than
unsuccessful people. Successful people try new things, fall down,
pick themselves up, and try again. So, if your first attempt to
move up to a higher stakes game falls short of your expectations,
don't despair. Look at your play and the play of your opponents,
regroup, and try again. The experience will be worth it.
FullTiltPoker.com
Referral Code
Downloaded
from the World Wide Web on September 18, 2006:
http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/proLessons.php?lesson=78 |