Joined: Mar '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 57 (M)
Posts: 1703
What´s in your opinion more important : the ability to quickly calculate probability for certain cards.Agility of thought combined with poker knowledge .Or as same people say (and do it at the tables)pure luck.
Its the ability to understand when you are beaten already. Many people dont fold easily out of curiosity or simple misjudgement (fishes dont fold at all, they even raise with 72o from BB like I did yesterday on the christmas calendar free). Having to read your opponents properly to know when will he be bet.ting for value/when will he be bluffing is essential for anybody who want to have a decent ROI over some time. Also common mistake is playing solely the hand your've been dealt with and concentrating on the board not caring about your opponents range and how many outs they could've left.
No rocket science math skills needed for this game, that part could easily been replaced with one or two software (any HUD, pokerstove etc.) and more you play, easier will be your task to calculate odds and percentage...
But of course some people wont thrive with any effort because they just simply overthink this process. Its still a game, u should be having fun while u play.
Joined: Mar '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 7371
I think that every player should have a basic knowledge of pot odds otherwise you are just relying on pure dumb luck. I believe that being able to calculate the odds when you are in a pot is THE most important thing in poker
A good player especially has to control his emotions and play his best game all the time, even if he is losing money. A lot of players can play good, they have a solid strategy, but they stop being disciplined after they take some bad beats; they start making bad calls, etc.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Well if i could choose on of the above, i would take luck, no question about it. But you need to have all the rest of course too. Now if you have a little more luck in your overall goodies bag, you will do great
Joined: Sep '13
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 1564
edit: jk most of the time u shouldnt chase draws, even if its just 15c to do so. yes, you could chase a few 15c draws for just one cup of coffee though, but no just dont do it.
ps: even if nike commercial might say just do it, you, as a poker player should have good enough will to resist and say no. even to nike.
If you have big enough hand/tournament sample, the luck factor almost disappears. It is just not possible (the odds are extermely low) to have a solid ROI after 10000 SNG´s played if you just gamble. Your strategy HAS to be solid, you have to be making the right decisions (with positive expected value).
Joined: Aug '09
Location: Chile
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 1353
A winner player is the one who never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt never tilt
Joined: Jan '14
Location: Netherlands
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 7
As mentioned by my fellow poker players in earlier reply's...
A good pokerplayer (good enough to win more then u loose) uses these common "tricks":
1) Never shuff all-in when ur not 100pct sure ull win the hand 2) Occasionaly jump in a decent pot with (suit) connectors or small pockets even if theres raised, when flopping good this will get u the big money. 3) Never bluff if you dont have decent outs... know when ur beat 4) Dont play stakes any higher then 10pct of ur bankroll! 5) Find the fish on the table and play him!!
Take this advice and u will do pretty good at cash tables atleast...
Joined: Sep '13
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Age: 37 (M)
Posts: 1564
6) when in doubt, go all in
7) its ok to chase draws if they are cheap (lets say 20-40c, 40 cents doesnt buy you anything afterall)
8) if someone 4bets ur preflop 3bet he most likely has AA or KK, so as long as you got something decent (45s?) your next move (obviously) is to go all in because he will surely call you and you can win a big pot (important !), thats if you flop 2 or 3 more cards that will make your nuts.
9) chasing gutshot draws is ok too, but id strictly advise you to stick to the following formula ($ to call < cup of coffee) = good call. if it costs more than one cup of coffee to chase gutshot draw, you should obviously drop it.
Joined: Aug '10
Location: Germany
Age: 52 (M)
Posts: 2219
At first: enough Money And online a suckout protection and more skills as a abc poker player (like me). But only some Players are winning player it is verry heavy to beat the rake/fee and suckouts.
Joined: Jun '12
Location: Greece
Age: 43 (M)
Posts: 488
Poker player needs a variety of number of factors to evolve to a satisfying level. First of all needs sufficient and deep knowledge of poker concept and theory. Second,hunger to explore new things and not take anything for granted. We can see how poker changed since boom after Chris Moneymaker took down WSOP. Very few players managed to get through changes to the new online poker era. Luck its a factor much needed to win one or maybe more events but not to establish yourself towards poker community. Nowdays, stamina to play long hours sessions live and online must be added too
Joined: Nov '12
Location: Canada
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 4675
G'day mate
A good poker player is the one who keeps taking others players money and then loses it all to me every 6 or 7 hands at showdown. He has patience and never ever realizes I have kryptonite sitting beside me So he becomes my personal ATM I am just saying I like them players who keep losing money to me most. be cool
Apart from a basic understanding of pot odds a good poker player should have great powers of concentration.
Many poker games last a considerable amount of time so it is vital that you are able to maintain a good level of concentration for long periods. Also you must be able to shut out distractions, or preferably ensure that they can't happen. e,g, turn off TV/phones etc.
I think that this ability is the secon.............
Joined: Oct '08
Location: Hungary
Age: 33 (M)
Posts: 26
I think need to have stamina, brain, patience and also need luck of course. But i can mention a lot of other things in connection with the talent. I think these are the most important ones. You should make good decisions in the right time.