Back To Basics

Over the last few months I've started to notice some bad habits in my poker playing routine that if went unchecked could have a negative effect on my profitability. When I examined the issue the problem boiled down to one thing: my professional attitude. Being a poker pro offers a lot of freedom, but if you don't approach it in a professional manner you will not have long term success. Doing the little things such as recording every session, planning when you play, and managing your money outside of poker are just as important as being able to play the game well.

I have always been an extensive record keeper with my poker play. The spread sheet I use tracks every session, every SNG, and every mtt. You can find totals for every day, week, and month broken down by game. It also records every bonus and rakeback payment I receive. Not only does it give me a precise record of my play, but it also helps spot trends on what game I play best along with the most profitable times to play. Such a great tool is useless if you don't use it, but over the last few months I have been too lazy to do so. It only takes a few seconds before and after each session for it to work, so there is no good reason not to. A correlation between record keeping and poker profitability might not be obvious, but it is a necessary piece in the professional attitude puzzle that is essential to long term success.

The worst mistake a poker player can make is to think he knows everything. The game is always evolving, so you must work hard at keeping up. I have always been a student of the game, but for the last few months I've started to cut class. At one point I was reading every book, watching every video, and reading all the forums. The more successful I've become the less time I spent studying. When you start to win a lot you feel that you don't need to study as much, that you know it all, but the problem is one of the main reasons you are doing so well was because of the time you put in studying. The more you learn about poker the more complex it becomes. This means the better you get the more you should be studying.

Probably the biggest problem I found was my time management. Many people want to be a pro poker player because it is possible to make a lot of money in a short amount of time. This attitude is a mind virus that will eventually lead to going bust. While it is possible to make a living playing 10-15 hours a week, it will eventually catch up to you. Every winning player knows that the only way to fend off the variance beast is to play more hands. If you play an insufficient number of hands your down streaks could span months not weeks. This is very bad for the mental health of a poker pro, and can easily start a snow ball effect that ends when your bankroll is wiped out. Poker is just like any other job; you have to put in the time to make the money. If you choose poker as your career it should be because you love the game, not that you are trying to make an easy buck.

Poor spending habits outside of poker are the easiest mistake a poker player can make. Players that do everything perfect inside the game often go broke because of this and are never able to figure out where they went wrong. Playing for a living can cause massive distortions in your views on money. When you are putting huge money on the line many times a day saving $20 at the grocery store or paying for everyone's drinks at the bar seems insignificant. You need to have an "unhealthy" view on money if you are going to succeed, but you must be able to put that in check in your daily life. Be careful not to increase your spending too much if you have a really hot streak or place well in a tournament. While you should reward yourself for good play from time to time, just remember there will be equally bad times when you wished you had the money you wasted. Over spending can be just as harsh on you bankroll as getting sucked out on the river.

Luckily I spotted these problems before they had any serious affect on my bankroll. When deciding what I would do to correct them I came up with an idea that would both solve the problem, and be great learning tool for the members of Poker Dynasty. What I plan to do with this blog is to put myself in the shoes of a player who is just about to take the plunge. I am cashing out all my bankroll except $2000 and starting over. This will force me to have the discipline necessary to be a true pro, while creating a living guideline for anyone looking to go pro. I will be starting at $50 NL, so if I don't buckle down it will be much harder to pay the bills than at my current stakes.

Over the next year I will be posting daily results along with tips and strategies necessary for any new poker professional. If you have ever considered going pro, or just want a glimpse of the life style, this blog will be an excellent chance to see it from the beginning. Posting will begin tomorrow where I will go over a check list you must complete if you are considering going pro.