Although spectacular, flashy wins sound like a poker player's biggest dream, there is one thing that pros desire even more: consistency.
While even the best online poker players experience some highs and lows as they play the game, no one wants to move from one extreme to the next too often, as it can be exhausting and demoralizing.
But if you manage to balance things out and keep your winning to losing ratio steady, you will be able to build your bankroll slowly but surely. But what does it really mean to be a consistent poker player? And what do you need to do to become one?
All You Need to Know About Consistency in Poker
Becoming a poker pro is not about extravagant moves and daring plays that will be written down in history books. Well, those things do happen when you play poker, but they are not the essence of the experience.
To actually master the art of poker, you need to win more often than you lose, even if that means earning a few hundred dollars at best. Being modest and consistent can go a long way when it comes to online poker.
But how can you reach this kind of balance in your poker play? Here are a few tips that might be of use to you:
- Recognize your faults – The first step toward adopting a more balanced poker strategy requires self-reflection. You should analyze your play and try to understand when – and why – you tend to take too many risks and lose. Maybe you're overconfident in your abilities, or maybe indecisiveness clouds your judgment. Either way, once you figure out what's stopping you from making smart moves, you will be able to rectify the situation.
- Don't let one bad play affect your entire session – Sometimes, we make mistakes while playing poker, and that's OK – nobody is perfect. But the way you react to those mistakes is what matters in the long run. Do you let them rattle you and affect future decisions? Or do you look at those mistakes objectively and remain as focused as ever? If the latter applies to you, then you're on the right track to becoming a more consistent poker player.
- Remember the fundamentals of poker – Don't let your emotions dictate your moves in poker. Sometimes, when we lose some cash due to a mistake, we overcompensate by making rash decisions that might seem profitable. But if you manage to keep your cool at all costs and rely on your poker knowledge instead of your emotions when placing a bet – you are golden.
- Always have a reason – Before you raise, call, or fold in poker, take a second to think: why am I going down this route? If you manage to think things through at all times, you will be able to make calculated and smart decisions more often than not.
- Monitor your performance throughout the poker session – Be sensitive to changes in your behavior and success as you play online poker. If your poker session lasts more than a few hours, make sure that you're at the top of your game from start to finish. If you notice that you're starting to make more mistakes the more you play, you should make the right choice and bow out before it's too late.
In Conclusion
Playing poker consistently is more important than trying to win the jackpot with one drastic move. Do you think you're able to remain focused enough to keep your poker strategy balanced?