These are some of the best lessons professional poker players have taught me. I heard them from multiple sources on the tour, and I’m not sure who said what first. Regardless, all of these concepts have guided me through the decades. It is only fair that you also benefit from the 5 best lessons professional poker players have shared with me.
It’s The Money You Take Off The Table
A great poker player can make money at the table.
A great poker professional can take that money off the table.
If you never cash out your chips and you keep moving up in stakes, then you’re just playing a huge tournament with yourself.
Poker professionals judge themselves by how much money they can take off the table for their families. If you’re taking care of your family with your poker winnings, then you’re as successful as it gets.
You Learn Who A Poker Player Is When Things Start Going Bad
Anyone can manage their bankroll and play solid poker when the cards are coming their way.
You don’t know anything about a poker player until things start going bad. Wait until their first bad year. That’s when you’ll find out who they are. If they freak out and start blaming others, there’s a great chance they won’t be in this game for long. If they start changing their game to prevent the bad beats they hate so much, then their game will become unprofitable. They’ll eventually wish they quit poker.
If they admit their mistakes or successfully navigate the downswing, they will have proven themselves. They are ready for the long road ahead.
Another of the 5 Best Lessons I Have Learned: It’s A Money Game
One of the 5 best lessons I have learned is that you don’t get style points in this game. Either you can pay your bills or you can’t. Everything is about the bottom line.
Do people in the cardroom respect you because they always see you in the biggest games and tournaments? Great. Does that pay for your groceries?
You should always be searching for the loosest money. Where are the worst players playing tonight? It might not be in the biggest game. Is there a home game you’re absolutely crushing? Dig in. The harvest won’t last for long. Who cares if no one sees how sick you’re playing?
Very Few Victories Are Won Under Ideal Circumstances
Professional athletes rarely feel 100% healthy before they take the field. Something is always hurting them.
Professional comedians rarely feel 100% energized before they take the stage. They’re always strung out from the road.
Professional poker is no different. There’s always going to be something bothering you.
Are you on a downswing? Are you fighting with your partner at home? Is one of your kids struggling at school? Are you taking care of a sick parent? Is your sleep schedule off from all the late sessions? Are you dealing with a health issue?
All of this is part of the game. Every person you play against is fighting a battle you know nothing about. There’s a game on the felt and off the felt. You must master both.
You Don’t Know The Names Of The Most Successful Players
Finally, one of the 5 best lessons I have learned about poker, I figured out myself. It blew my mind when I found out many of the world’s most successful poker players are unknown to the public.
These players would even tell you that they’re not the greatest technical players in the world. 90% of this profession is game selection. And the most successful players are the best at it. They network better than anyone. They get into lucrative games with recreational players. They never get kicked out because they’re always giving action to get action and cheering on the other players.
Many of these guys and gals value their privacy. They don’t want people knowing how much they’re making. They don’t want anyone trying to get into their games. They stay quiet. They seek validation from only their own self-assessment. That is why they’re crushers.
Conclusion:
I hope the 5 best lessons I have learned from professional poker players help you as much as they’ve helped me. Best of luck to you on the felt.
Want to read more from APT Head Pro Alex Fitzgerald? Try his article about the Three Most Underappreciated Poker Skills.
