A - Z of Poker: Day 3

From London to Vegas in 26 Letters

Day3: C is for ...

C is for Confidence. Poker is undoubtedly a mind-game. Some of the mental skills are obviously mathematical in nature - counts the outs, calculate the pot odds etc. Some are more qualitative: the discipline required for controlling tilt or good game selection, for example.

Poker, especially tournament poker, throws a lot at us in terms of mental challenge - constant frustration basically ! It can be very difficult to play well when we are running bad and seemingly being 1-outered for fun.

Conversely, when we're on a heater, we believe we can do anything.

I believe that a confident attitude is a positive factor for success. I would characterise it as "necessary but not sufficient". I think that without confidence in our game, we will surely lose. We won't be capable of making the moves that are required, and our observant opponents will pick up on our weakness and exploit it.

Naturally one needs to guard against over-confidence but a healthy dose of self-belief is first order of business.


C is for Concentration. The fact is, there is a lot going on in a poker game. The cards are the least of our worries. We are supposed to be constantly monitoring the state of the game which especially includes how our opponents are playing, all the chips stacks at the table, the current tournament situation including the remaining players, average chips and prize structure.

So many times, in hindsight, we will find that we didn't need to get involved in a particular situation or that we couldn't pass, or that THEY couldn't pass or whatever it may be.

Concentrate !!