Due to the recent turn to game theory optimal and poker solvers being more and more popular, the balance might seem like an overused buzzword for many poker players. However, based on the experience of our veteran players, we have to admit that balance is a vital part of poker success.
Why do we think so? Because the days of playing recklessly versus incompetent opponents are long gone. Don’t get us wrong, there is still plenty of money to be made through playing poker, but it’s not as easy as it used to be.
There’s a silver lining, though, it was also never so easy to learn how to play poker effectively. As a result, if you are willing to put the time and work in, you might still become a very successful professional poker player. There are a few things that changed over the years, though.
Striving for poker balance is easier than it has been ever before
It’s quite simple, the knowledge is out there, you only have to get to it and absorb it. Whether you wonder what should be the poker game of your choice, how to calculate the pot odds, what the basic poker math is, or what proper bankroll management looks like, it’s all there.
In fact, we’ve covered all of the topics above ourselves!
What about the poker strategy itself? The introduction of poker solvers changed the poker world forever. In case you’re not familiar with the term: solver is a very powerful poker software that can calculate the optimal way to play particular poker hands. Right now, solvers are very good at providing strategies to heads-up spots, and they are getting better at calculating multiway situations too.
While it may sound confusing at first, ignoring solvers’ input is a big mistake. Even a moderate amount of work with them can turn a mediocre player into a winning player.
The ceiling is very high, however, as poker is a complex card game. Therefore it takes a lot of study for a human to mimic the solver’s behavior.
Other tools also make poker mathematics easier
Of course, while being the most powerful, poker solvers are not the only tools that will help you elevate your game. Good old equity calculators, poker HUDs or ICM tools are still there to help you to outplay your opponents, especially in online poker.
If you’re not familiar with the mentioned software, we strongly encourage you to do so. Our recent article: Best poker tools to help you out at the poker table is a good place to start.
Nowadays, what makes or breaks great poker players is their mental game
While it has always been true, the significance of the poker mindset is bigger than it has ever been before. In today’s challenging poker ecosystem, great poker players have to work on their psychological approach. You can probably be a winning player at lower stakes, where all the money is quite easy to grab, however, we know for a fact that it’s almost impossible to climb the stakes consistently with a bad poker mindset and a lack of discipline.
Balance in poker, and life in general, is crucial
As we’ve mentioned achieving balance in poker, while still not trivial, is way easier than it was ever before. All of the necessary tools and knowledge are out there.
Not sure where to start your journey to the top? Check out our offer – we’ve coached and helped hundreds of players with great results!
So, how should you achieve balance in life to keep your mental game strong and healthy? There are a few things that are great starting points, let’s look at them.
Firstly, treat poker mindfully. Autopilotting is the bane of poker players, especially those who play online a lot. It’s hard to maintain a high concentration level over long hours of multitable grind. That’s why it’s important to plan out your sessions. If you’re playing spins or cash games, it’s relatively easy, as you can take a break at your convenience.
If Multi Table Tournaments are your game of choice, the situation is worse, as your breaks are fixed. Make the most out of them – stretch yourself, take a quick rest, and a few deep breaths. Find what’s the best way to keep your composure. Whatever your approach would be, remember to be mindful of what you are doing, whether we talk about taking risky lines or registering for a tournament that you probably shouldn’t play.
Secondly, prepare for your sessions. Different things work for different players, the key is finding what’s best for you. Some people always clean their surroundings before the session, some meditate, and others review a few troublesome hands from the day before.
Whatever it would be, consider constructing such a warmup routine. It’ll help you switch your mind into playing mode and usually help you make more accurate decisions from the get-go.
Thirdly, remember that the things outside of poker reflect on your performance and vice versa. If you’re hungover or sleep deprived, you are at a disadvantage from the very first hand of the session you start. A sufficient amount of sleep, healthy food, and physical exercise – these things sound very boring and trivial, but they are vital to your success. It’s your responsibility to take care of them as they are crucial to your bottom line and will earn you more money.
Be ready to capitalize on the small edges
While it might be an unexciting perspective, the wild days of games being so easy that you can print money after a whole night of partying are gone. The sooner you’ll understand that, the better for your performance. We’re quite sure that the more mature approach to poker has a lot of advantages, though and we would be happy to prove that to you.
Would you like to take a more serious approach to playing poker? Check out our offer. We will teach you all there is to teach about the Spins, and we’ll also help to get your mental game to be stronger than ever.
Give yourself a chance and join hundreds of winning players.