The Importance of Patience when Playing Poker

This was published 23-07-2010

You can learn a lot by watching Poker tournaments on television.  Really look closely at the players and what it takes for them to win.  You will notice that there is one secret key to success that all the winning poker players share, and that is patience.  Patient poker players are those who walk away with the pot.

Your mom was right when she taught you that patience is a virtue, as this skill will help you come far as a poker player.  Here are a few tips as to how to develop patience as a virtue when playing poker:

Patient poker players do not ever chase cards.  Yes, they will make you believe they are chasing cards, but this is actually all for show, to ensure the pot gets a lot fatter before they can claim their victory.  It is in inconvenient truth that poker players who are always chasing cards, are usually those who end up going home broke.

Patient poker players know when to raise the stakes.  These players are always aware of the right time to make their move, as they are always on top of the general feeling and ‘vibe’ of the table.

Patient poker players make very few mistakes.  When all is said in done, it’s usually the poker players who make the least mistakes that walk away victorious.  And as with all areas of life – patience leads to fewer mistakes in poker games.

Patient poker players know not to take the games personally.  You get a lot of poker players who focus on revenge and “getting back at” the guy who won the pot in the previous round. Many stupid mistakes are made because players get their ego and pride get in the way.  Really good and patient poker players know that this is pointless and they do not allow themselves to get involved in this.

Patient poker players do not allow themselves to react emotionally.  They know that everyone gets a couple of bad beats every now and then. Good players are always patient and don’t allow their emotions to get in the way of their best game

Be sure to also check out our other poker strategy articles here.

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