Winning Isn't Everything

A great deal of new poker players believe that if they lose a hand they've gained nothing—this is a fallacy. While it's nice to claim the pot, just because you didn't come out on top doesn't mean that you have nothing to take away from the game. Remember when your mom told you, “Winning isn't everything, it's how you play the game”? She wasn't lying. Do you think that every successful poker player started out on a winning streak? No one is born an expert and it is important to learn from your mistakes, practice makes perfect after all. And, while you will never become a perfect poker player, you can become a very skilled one.

Next time you lose a hand don't curse under your breath and convince yourself that you were cheated. Instead, think about what led to your loss.

• What did you do wrong?
• What should you have done differently?
• What did the winner do that helped him or her to win?

Analyze every round you play, whether you are victorious or not. It's useful to keep a journal of this information and add to and refer to it regularly. Don't get down in the dumps—learn from your losses.