by Many people have dreamed about becoming professional poker players. If they have a natural inclination to the game, they may find themselves getting good results very early on in their careers and winning lots of money. This can give them a false sense of security that they have what it takes to make it as a poker player, but this isn’t always the case. The truth is that to become one of the best players, you need more than just talent to be successful. You also need a willingness to take risks. You have to be comfortable with the fact that you will lose some hands, and you have to be willing to embrace those moments as part of your journey.
The most successful poker players are not afraid to put themselves in a position where they could potentially lose their entire stack. This is because they are able to read their opponents, and are able to see through the deception of their facial expressions and voice inflection. Poker is a game of psychology, and being able to read your opponent’s tells is an essential skill for the game.
Another quality that a top poker player must possess is patience. This is because they must be able to wait for a game to shift in their favour before betting. They also must be able to recognise when their odds are in their favour, and know when to call bets and when to fold.
Poker players are also incredibly competitive. They have to be able to push themselves when it’s necessary, but they must also be able to pull back from a situation that isn’t going well. This is similar to the philosophy behind yoga, where you should push yourself to the point of discomfort but not so far that you end up in pain or injury.
The final trait that a top poker player must possess is risk tolerance. This means that they must be able to accept that they will experience some bad runs of luck in their career. This is especially true when they are playing against other skilled players. If you aren’t comfortable with this aspect of the game, then it may be a bad idea to pursue a career in it.
Caspar Berry is a keynote speaker and former professional poker player who gives thought-provoking talks on risk taking and decision making. He started his working life as the lead actor in the first series of Byker Grove on BBC1 alongside Ant and Dec, before studying Economics and Anthropology at Cambridge. He has since gone on to direct a number of short films and TV commercials. He is currently a keynote speaker for business audiences, helping them to be more productive by understanding the importance of calculating and taking risks. He speaks at events around the world. For more information, visit his website.
