What made you a winning player?

Hi Poker folks,

This message is for all the people who went from a negative ROI to a positive one. In other words; went from losing players to winning players.

What is the magic thing that helped you? Was it a special book you read? A new tactic you tried? A training website you found? This forum? Something totally different? Or all things combined?

Please let me know As you already guessed, I am still struggling.

Thank you,

Alexey

I think there is a world of difference between a winning player in 2000 and a winning player in 2016. In 2016 it is much harder.

There are way better players than me on this forum to give you some advices

GL.

Patience. There are some hands that are tough to fold, but you just have to do it.

Look for opportunities. Notice everyone is checking or only calling? Jump on it even if you have nothing and that pot could be yours. Are players distracted by chat or obviously playing more than one table? They will most likely fold if you raise because they have not been following the table and players.

Resist going against the donk that goes all in pre-flop every hand. In a tournament these people are like the person who keeps farting at the table, they just stink.

Stay low. If you win big, keep playing low limit. Don't automatically jump to a higher limit because you have the minimum buy in. You will play better at the lower limit because you are not risking all of your bankroll.

If you feel uncomfortable at the table or like you are sitting on ice, take a break or switch tables. Depending on live or online, sometimes just walking around helps you to come back refreshed. Sometimes taking a longer break (a week or a month even) can really help out. It has for me anyways...

I could go on and on. I'm sure the others have great advice. Just take it easy and have fun and don't quit your day job to gamble. And don't forget to bathe and get plenty of rest and sunshine.
1144

Getting lucky at the right time.

Running well.

Patience is key, pay attention to the other players, their bet sizes, the frequency of how often they play a hand.

Hand selection: https://www.cardschat.com/guide/starting-hands

Proper bankroll management: https://www.cardschat.com/guide/how-much

I don't know if the links are relevant to why you're struggling but it doesn't hurt to look.

I would say that the most important thing that people often neglect in poker is good bankroll management. I don't need to give figures, but there are loads of articles online. If you can't do this, then all the rest of the strategy is pointless and you will almost never be able to win. This is what stops a lot of aspiring players from ever being able to move up and get good.

If you have the restraint to be able to do that, THEN you can work on your strategy. I did this by watching Twitch streams and professionals on Youtube (which is quite fun in itself), reading online articles and now participating in an online forum .

Good luck!

Not depositing, playing only freerolls at start with no bankroll and earning money in long term play, thats what made me a winning player

Skills..good run and hard work

Just woke up, and read all the messages, thanx for the great advice and keep them coming. The more tips, the better!

well played 24 years live at houses or card dens etc... only way i learned was application

2003-2009 I played online still didnt study much im a know it all honestly lol

I did well very well by most standards yet I look back at all the time wasted till i met a coach till got some real advice. last year played a bit then took a year off.

This year I come back a few months ago and see all the videos and twitch started paying attention adapted my game to some of those I was watching listening to learning.

Last week was sick so took the week off and studied

AND

thought it all through the change in my game the ability to add in processes I forgot and adaptability to play more than one style etc.. I think I have reached a complete level and know need to keep studying keep working keep

THINKING sometimes you forget sometimes it takes awhile till a lightbulb sparks

take time to decipher what you learn is a big step for me digest it etc...

that is the newest lightbulb as i was still on auto

Patience is one thing that comes to mind and trying your best to not get angry at all.

Patience is the most important in playing poker. There will no be always good cards. You can not always win a hand. But when you start lossing, you need to be patient and luck will come.

I think that my sixth sense is responsible for that. I play relying on my senses. And off course, on my experience. But in the begining, I was relying on books and google.

I totally agree with everything you wrote. I played the same at the start. Now I do deposit, but not much. I like to be in plus.

It took me years to constantly stay at a positive ROI. There is no magic formula. I would suggest a few things for tournaments:

1. Tight is right.

2. Bluff less

3. Learn to "shift gears" and know when its you NEED to loosen up or play tight.

4. Stay ahead of the blinds, take more chances early not later.

5. Learn to be aggressive.

6. Learn to be aggressive with the right hands. This doesn't mean only AA, KK, QQ.

Tournament play is a lot simpler than cash games as they are totally different animals. In lower stakes poker if you play TAG you most likely will be successful. As the stakes go up, the game loosens up. There is more money out there, more chances are taken, and more deception is used.

No matter what you read, youtube, ect... there is no substitute for just playing. The more hands you get in, the more situations you are exposed to. I've been playing poker for 20 years for money and still read every day to learn something new, reinforce good habits, and just stay sharp, but still try to get a few games in every day also.

I'll let you know when I become one.

playing thight agressive there is not another way.

Avoiding coin flips until it's a time that makes sense.

Me too! And practice...

I am still losing player,so i can't give you right answer but i think it is hard work,patience,practice and little luck i guess,everyone need that just a little!

luck and skill

Patience and hours of practicing.

I can not boast of constant profit in the game. But when I play with discipline and bankroll correctly lead, then I get segments into a plus. Therefore, a main magic believe discipline.
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Good luck in the game and life