When you are analyzing your approach to poker and more importantly your approach to improving your poker game, you should begin by asking yourself a question. Why do I play poker? There are a couple of reasons why people usually play poker. Whatever your reason for playing the game, that reason why you play the game can have a profound impact on HOW WELL you play the game. Take a second to answer the question below before we move on:

Why do I play poker?

1. I play for money
2. I play for fun
3. I love competition
4. I play to relax after a tough day
5. I gotta get my gambling fix!
6. Other:________________

If you play for any other reason than for money or the love of competition then it will be difficult for you to take improving your game seriously. If you just play for fun, then why not call and see what your opponent check-raised the river with? If you just play to relax, then there is no reason to agonize over a tough decision on the flop. You can just go ahead and call and satisfy your curiosity. However, if you play for money or to compete and win, then you cannot allow yourself to satisfy your curiosity by calling (unless the information is worth more than the price of the call).

Getting rid of the voice that says “Screw it, why not call?”

We’ve all been involved in a hand where we’ve got a decent piece of the board and our opponent makes a big bet that, given the situation, can only mean strength. We think for a second about whether or not we want to fold and then that voice in our head says “screw it…” and next thing you know, the dealer is pushing the chips towards the other guy. The question is how do you get rid of that voice, or get rid of the impulse to satisfy your curiosity?

There are a few ways to do that. One important way is that you have to find satisfaction in making good folds (or laydowns). Whenever you see the big pros like Phil Hellmuth standing up and shouting to the whole room about their humongous laydown, “I can dodge bullets baby,” they are reinforcing the decision they just made to fold. In the same situation the average home-game player would have called every time to satisfy their curiosity (Phil folded AK on an ace high flop at the world series of poker and then famously shouted “I can dodge bullets baby” when the guy showed a flopped set).

How do you find satisfaction in folding? There a few things that can work. The Phil Hellmuth method is similar to a Tony Robbins motivational speech. Tony pounds his chest a lot and encourages attendees to pound their chests and get energized by hooting and hollering. This can work at the poker table also (just as the Tony Robbins method is effective, at least in the short term). It works even better at the poker table as a method of reinforcing a positive behavior like folding. The Hellmuth / Tony Robbins method is a good method to use for immediate reinforcement or when you are multitabling and can’t spend a lot of time thinking about your laydown. Another method you can try is rewarding yourself for making good folds after the tournament is over. If you review your poker sessions after they are over using software like Poker Office or Poker Tracker, then you have more options for rewarding a fold since you aren’t in the middle of playing your next hand, for example enjoy a snack, a half hour with your favorite TV show or video game etc.

After a while it won’t be necessary to use these kinds of tactics. Eventually money will be reward enough, and thinking critically about your decisions (rather than emotionally) will become second nature.

Curiosity is just one among several emotions that can change the way you play. Other emotions that can impact your play include greed, pride, anger, frustration etc. Good players are able to separate their feelings from their decisions. This isn’t to say that they don’t experience these emotions to some degree, but they don’t allow these feelings to corrupt the decision making process. They are also able to ignore the pressure that money places on them. Most players feel added pressure when the stakes are higher. Good players often feel pressure the same as anyone else but they try not to let it interfere with their thoughts. In fact many professionals play better under pressure.

If you actively dissect the hands that you’re involved in and review your sessions after you are finished playing, you will eventually find yourself playing better. You can also try behavior reinforcement or other strategies to improve your short term results. Another good strategy to use is running through a script in your head whenever you are involved in a hand. It’s also important to ask other players what they would do (or would have done) in hands that give you trouble. I have listed some valuable resources that can make a difference in your play and help you improve your game.

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