Poker Betting: Managing Emotions Crucial to Success

by Bodog Poker Staff | Feb 7 2012

A lot of assumptions are made when it comes to poker betting and one of the easiest phases to overlook is the mental aspect.

The game is not only about having the best cards, winning and losing, and figuring out to do with your chips when you cash out. There are highs and lows throughout every hand and the players who manage their emotions the best are the ones that are most successful.

With that in mind, here's our list of tips on managing your emotions in poker:

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Exercise a little discipline

The easiest way to lose in poker is to let emotions like excitement get in the way. Let's face it: who doesn't want to go all-in on every hand and come away big-stacked after outsmarting everyone at the table? Unfortunately, the reality is that you're not likely to be successful that way and you're better off embracing discipline.

Have some patience and wait until you've got some cards to play. Once you find yourself with a good starting hand, then place your bets. Letting the excitement get to you is one sure-fire way to be cashing out early.

If you're happy and you know it…don't show it

If you've achieved the first goal and have been patiently waiting for a good hand to play, don't be too elated when you finally get a pair of pocket-rockets.

Remember: poker is a strategic game where nobody knows your hand or playing pattern when you start. The more emotions you show, the more you are giving away.

Be cool and calm. If you were just dealt a pair of aces, have the same expression as you would if you were dealt a two and a seven. That way none of your opponents will have a clue.

If you're sad and you know it…don't show that either

At the same time, don't start feeling blue when the games not going your way.

You're going to suffer a number of bad beats where you lose a pot. Or you might not get a playable hand for a really long time. Or maybe one player at the table can see right through your bluffs. No matter the case, don't show any emotion.

Think of the people at the table as your customers and you're working in the service industry. Put on the same face whether things are going well or whether things are not.

Again, the less you show, the less your opponents will know.

Have a short memory

Emotions tend to run high in our body as we win or lose, but the key is to keep an even keel. Just as a baseball pitcher does after giving up a home run or just as a basketball player does after making a shot, they just move on to the next play.

Poker isn't a smooth ride; it has plenty of ups and downs, and you have to manage your emotions throughout. The better you do that, the better chance you'll have being successful at poker betting.

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