So, you are sitting there at home, staring at a computer screen playing poker. It’s a “you against the world” type of situation. No one can see you, most people who you play against don’t even know anything about you. Table presence is dictated by your play, not your personality or attitude at the table. So why then, does confidence play a factor?
First, I should explain that I think it makes a BIG difference. Big enough, in my opinion, that it can make the difference between “being on top” or “being in a slump”.
First hand experience has shown me that when I am NOT playing confidently, I can go out 6th or 5th in a 6 man SNG. When I am playing confidently, I make the money about every time. That’s a big swing huh?
If I am not confident in myself, you could see how a few games could put me “in a slump”.
If I am confident, watch out!
What does confidence do for you?
In my opinion, it adds an aspect to the game that isn’t there when you are playing on-line. As I mentioned earlier, no one knows you, you have no “presence” and tells are more difficult. The same applies to your opponents. You have less information to work with when determining your next course of action at the table. You have no body language, no physical tells, and no ongoing evaluation of opponents actions that you would normally see at a live table. Chatting on line is usually held to a minimum. So, finding out what people do for a living, how they react in situations and ”small” talk at the table is missing. This information can help you determine whether someone is naturally aggressive, tight, etc.
I think confidence in yourself and your abilities adds a subtle difference in your actions. Being able to properly evaluate your opponents hand based on limited information is a key factor. Being confident, means you normally don’t second guess yourself. Second guessing can lead to over analyisation and poor decision making.
Having confidence makes you more aggressive which is winning poker (see my thoughts on this in previous blogs).
Having confidence also makes the “big call” easier. The “big call” is the one hand you get involved in (I feel there are usually one or two hands in a game that will either make or break you) that puts you in a position to win.
I also think confidence helps in keeping you “up”. Suck outs happen. If they happen to a confident player, I feel, they tend to brush it off easier than someone who isn’t as confident. Knowing you went in with the best but still lost, won’t effect you as much.
The non-confident player will end up in the “death sipral” of complaining about getting sucked out all the time which will reduce their confidence. Reduced confidence will put them in more situations where suck outs can happen…so the cycle continues….
So, work on your self confidence. Try to evaluate yourself and really see where you are. Build it if it is low. Realize that sometimes, no matter what you do, you will lose. If you can tell yourself “I played the best I could” after a loss, you’re on your way. Make sure though, you look at what you did and try to find the place where you may have made a mistake and work on that aspect of your game.
Thoughts and comments welcome….
good luck on the felt
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