To rise high enough to be considered art, an activity of any complexity requires deep introspection. In poker or in any similar complicated function, one must acquire an intimate knowledge of self, more so than is comfortable for must people. The difficult part of introspection is the constant process of self-evaluation. Self-revelation requires self consciousness or looking inward and this is far more difficult than contemplating outward events. Self criticizing one’s character is not something anyone looks forward to. There are a lot of poker players that would like to play less but don’t have the self-realization powers to know when or how to stop.
You might have found yourself playing poker out of boredom or the lack of imagination to find something else to do. This leaves you without purpose and causes you to indulge in pointless activities. If you refuse to undertake the rigors of introspection, but still want to stick with poker, you might concentrate on poker with a goal of winning, and no matter what kind of poker year you have had, winning or losing, no one want to lose , so you play on.
Zero in on the fact that whether you opt to stay or leave has a serious impact on your profits from the game and losing is not an option. So, you are staying in the game only for the reason that you have a good chance of winning. This is your ultimate goal. At issue is not whether you are winning or losing right at this moment, whether luck is with you or far, far, away, the issue is your overall net profit, and if it is clear to you that no matter what is happening now, the end will result in a loss to you, get out, get out now.
On the other hand, to practice hit-and-run strategies only seems to keep you constantly with a safe benefit. If your goal is not more than to play safe, hit-and-run may be a valid solution. But if you also wish to win, yet be able to leave in time, play discerningly, and leave when you perceive a definite loss.
Realize this, all cards are dealt to all players with random mathematical chance, having nothing to do with lady luck. Becoming a nervous wreck when you get bad cards or getting high on the good ones is nonsensical. However, self-fulfilling prophecies do have some validity as psychological phenomena. A really good game and a lot of luck impresses upon others that you are a good player. This builds up your confidence and allows you to play more aggressively, while your opponents are now feeling weaker, playing in a more cowardly manner, and even more disheartening to them, feeling unlucky.
So, what is important here, is to not let this happen to you. Allow yourself some introspection and you may even find that you are afraid to take chances and may really think that it is wrong to do so. Admit to yourself that this is you and this idiosyncrasy alone must not control what you do in life or in poker.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Interpoker and Rakeback at Action Poker.
