Pokernoise.com - Poker
Articles
How to Play Online Poker Without Ego
There you are playing on Poker Stars like any other day. You think to
yourself “how do I play online poker without an ego”. You
pick up a decent hand and flop top pair. Everyone checks to you and
you bet the pot. Then an opponent check-raises and everyone else folds.
Play comes back to you. Based on the little you have seen this opponent,
you put him on top pair top kicker or a set. But a voice in the back
of your head says he's trying to steal, call him down. Neither the turn
nor river improve your hand, and you call to find you're a loser in
the showdown. You've called off all your chips again. Why? Because players
too often let their egos get in the way of playing solid poker.
My theory is that not all losing players are as bad as they seem. They
may know how to play the majority of the time, but then their ego and
competitiveness cost them big bucks. How many times have you heard (or
said) "I just don't believe my opponent," or "I know
I'm beat but I have to call". Why do you have to call? Why don't
you believe your opponent? Because your stupid ego gets in the way of
playing smart poker. If you try to win every hand, you're going to lose
every session. 2004 World Series of Poker Champion Greg Raymer doesn't
have a problem laying 'em down, essential for lasting to the final table.
Poker is a mentally exhausting battle of clashes and mind games. So
be ready to focus every minute when playing poker. Notice in our other
articles the concept of making the most money when your opponent hits,
but you hit bigger. The corresponding part of that strategy is not to
be the guy who gets walloped. Don't pay off your whole bankroll when
your top pair is beat by two pair, or your set is beat by a straight.
Don't let the competitive do-or-die voice in the back of your head turn
a possible winning session into another loser. Don't let your ego act
like a big shot, instead let your cards do the talking. I think Brad
Pitt's advice in Ocean's Eleven said it best, "Leave emotion at
the door". Or, for online players, "Leave emotion at the keyboard".
By Dustin Burkert
