Whats important?

Everybody I talk to says reading your opponent is the most important Skill in Poker. I disagree I think Knowing how to play Position is the most important skill. What does my fellow poker mates believe? Just a fun discussion.

position, position is the key to read opponent...right? You know best what to do if they act first after all.

Of all the skills in poker, the absolute most important.....

Self-control

Learning, playing position, reading opponents, bankroll management, decision making, EVERTYTHING important in all the skills of poker, they all fall under self-control. Without it you lose!

I couldn't agree more. Coincidentally, I wrote an article on this very subject a couple weeks ago:

Stick's Poker Blog: In Poker, Emotions Are #1

Nice article MrSticker, on a personal level, this is my biggest leak and the hardest to master. Self-control.

I still call too fast when I think I have the best hand, most of the time when I do lose to a better hand, I'm not thinking the hand through properly. Raise with A/K hit top 2 pair on the flop bet the size of the pot, opponent goes all-in.

BAM! Call! Oops! This guy has a set! Or flop a set, bet the pot, get called the turn coul dhelp fill a straight, bet the pot, opponent goes all-in... BAM! Call! Opps! He hit his straight!

I have to take the time, to think, what kind of player is my opponent? Has he/she shown down any hands, what were the holdings? Win/lose ratio? Bluffer? Aggressive/passive what REASON do you have to call? If you don't have a reason to believe a strong player is bluffing your probably beat.

Got to have self-control, take the time to think and don't let your ego get the best of you, if ya get bluffed, too bad, nice play, make note careful now will this player try that again or be tight now? You still nead a reason, self-control ... just got to have it.

MDM is correct.

The ability to apply knowledge to in-game situations is up there too. Anyone can read a book or an article on the interwebs, but not everyone can successfully translate the contents of said book into 'real game' play.

Nice! I totally agree with you MDM! Great point. Self Control is something I have been working on since i've been playing.

GREAT POST!!


you got me re-elavuating myself