Something to think about -- obvious

Here is something to think about that is obvious but everyone wants to win at poker but not everyone can. I'm just saying a lot of people want to go "pro" and win but if you think about it: does anyone play NOT to make money or at least to win? Even someone looking for a good time wants to win. So if everyone wants to win then why can't everyone win? Even the worst "donk" which is a word I don't even like: I like to think of my competitors as thieves, villains, and competition but "donk" is just too much.

So why can't everyone win? Winning feels really good and losing sucks. Even when I suck out on someone I don't feel bad: I feel good. I'm always studying my game play to make sure I made the RIGHT play but making the right play and getting lucky feels good whereas making the right play and losing sucks.

There are only a few basic factors in this:

1. Not everyone understands the rules of the game, the values of the cards, or their odds. So, the worse players will lose because of a lack of basic knowledge. Basically experience + knowledge.

2. Emotional factors. The ability to handle a loss, play within budget, and be patient OR to be aggressive and take extra risks when the situation calls for it. Some people can't be patient and some people aren't able to put themselves on the line when the situation warrants.

3. Luck. Luck is always present in any one hand but over time should not be a major factor but over a month or a few it could play an important role.

By the same token understanding that everyone wants to win and then placing yourselves in their shoes you may be able to win more.

I stopped reading after you said, "making the right play, and losing sucks."

You want to reach next level? Change that to: Making the correct play is ALL I CARE ABOUT! There's no more that needs to be added to that sentence.

When you truly understand, and believe the above... you can never "lose" again!

-Dayne

Well put, I'll second that statement.

Negative reinforcement is also a big reason why players who don't read up on poker strategy are losing.

A player who learns "on the fly" (which, I'd guess is the majority of online players) remembers when he called that big raise with 65 off-suit, and flopped a straight to win a big pot. He automatically reasons that if he won a big pot, he must have played the hand correctly, and does the same thing the next time the situation presents itself.