AKA: Discipline

For the Average Joe striving to become the Poker Pro deciding when to play, where to play, how often to play, and I think most importantly, how long to play are decisions that need to be thought out. Like your poker play, if you only react and are not a “thinking player” you could stand to loose a lot of money. Diesel has taught me
well…better than he realizes. You get a call or a text….game tonight, kick off 7pm. The reaction is GREAT! A game…a game…a game…I can’t wait to get there. Take a minute to stop and think…who is going to be there, what ($$$) is going to be there or not be there. How long do you plan to stay? How much will you buy in for? Are you willing to re-buy and will you make your loss back? If you are up are you willing and able to be happy with what you have or do you “want more”? Of course we all want more…we all think the cards will change…we can make it back. A few do make it back but many more go farther down and a couple come back and get ahead. I like to think about what it is I desire. What is important to me? I desire to be a good poker player and have fun doing it. I desire to be known at the very least a decent to good player that plays solid cards. The best part of being solid is you don’t have a target on your back like the louder more aggressive players. You get to sneak up on people. It is easier to change your style in mid-game to be aggressive and attack when least expected. This I am just beginning to learn thanks to Diesel. Some people think that Diesel is a reaction player…one who just does whatever just because and without any thought. Contraire Monfriare …Most of Diesel’s moves are well thought out…from playing position to his betting to when he chooses to call or go over the top and most importantly what cards to play when. He thinks about what he is doing…but to his disadvantage much of the time he is playing against less than average players that only see him as a Target. When I am at the table with him more often that not I hear “I know you had me beat but it’s you, I had to call with this draw”. The upside is when he does hold up or he hits it’s usually well worth the play. I think the key to a Great Player is self discipline…you don’t have to play in every game, choose wisely. You don’t have to be in every hand…pot odds are NOT a hand. Know how long you are going to stay at a game, win or lose…It’ll help keep you sane and keep you well rested for the next big one. ALWAYS go home with money in your pocket. Think about it don’t react to it. Do you really want to play as much as you can or do you desire to be one of the Best when you do play? I choose to desire and choose what is important to me…to be the Best player I can be and to come out ahead.

May you have big pots,
diesel@learnpokerfromthejoes.com