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Edited by 977Iti at 22-12-2023 10:58 AM
Texas Hold'em poker involves both wins and losses, a well-known fact. However, how to handle these wins and losses at the poker table is not a simple matter.
For beginner players of Texas Hold'em, the first lesson is to cultivate a strong mentality, aiming to remain calm and composed in the face of both wins and losses. This is because one's mentality will ultimately determine how long they can continue playing Texas Hold'em.
In the long run, luck plays no role at the poker table. In games of chance, luck is often a hot topic of discussion. However, for those who aim to play poker for an extended period, luck can be considered nonexistent. Nevertheless, anyone who has played poker knows that sometimes the cards seem to fall in a favorable or unfavorable manner. Doesn't this imply that luck is a factor? Indeed, the observation is accurate: on the surface, it seems that luck exists and can be either good or bad. However, let's take a longer-term view of this issue. Over an extended period of playing poker, you will notice that the probability of any given hand appearing is consistent. While specific cards may occasionally seem to appear more frequently, in the long run, the probability of any hand appearing is the same for every player. In other words, the chances of you or your opponents getting strong or weak hands are equal. Think about it, does it make sense? Those with some knowledge of probability can confirm that the answer is a resounding yes.
From the perspective of the poker room, we can also understand it this way: Texas Hold'em is not a game between players and the house (the dealer), but a game among poker players themselves. The poker room profits through the rake. Therefore, if the poker room's software consistently allowed certain players to win, others would quickly lose all their money, which is disadvantageous for the poker room. So, it's important to believe that every poker player has an equal probability of receiving certain hands, and in the long term, luck is not a factor.
Understanding this, new players, if they want to excel at Texas Hold'em, must first pass the psychological test. They need to maintain a stable mindset, free of thoughts of luck, and remain composed in the face of wins and losses. Otherwise, when they win money, they may become overconfident and quickly lose it all, and when they face a losing streak, they might lose their composure and make even worse decisions. Therefore, they must treat good and bad hands, fortunate or unfortunate outcomes, and bad beats with equanimity. Only then can they play for the long term.
Given that mentality plays a crucial role in the world of online poker, how can poker players adjust their mindset?
Here are two methods to cultivate a stable mindset:
1. Participate in free poker tournaments: Multi-table tournaments often require a significant amount of time, but they are an excellent way to hone your mindset and patience. If you manage to enter the money circle a few times, it indicates that your mentality has improved. During this period, you will also become more familiar with the rules of hand rankings and enhance your card-reading skills, improving your overall poker skills. This phase usually takes about a month.
2. Play low-stakes limit games: Start with limit games at 0.02/0.04 to experience the feeling of real-money poker. Since you are playing with real money, your mindset should be different from when you play for free. Playing at these low limits helps you adapt to the mindset required for real-money play while minimizing potential losses due to poor mindset and skills. Once you feel more confident, you can move up to tables with stakes like FL0.25/0.5. This will require a few more months of adjustment since the blinds are higher, but it's one of the lowest stakes for stable, long-term profit. Remember that cultivating the right mindset is an ongoing process, but if you want to play and profit in the long run, always keep in mind: your mindset determines your poker longevity. |
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Post time 17-10-2023 13:55:44
