Far too often, we sit down at the poker table only to see our rival’s screen name staring back at us. As with any game or sportsbook.com poker brings out the competitive spirit in all of us. We all strive to be successful in our hobbies, and our careers. However, one of the biggest things that can get in the way of success is the ego. That being said, check your ego at the door before firing up the poker table.
Understand that you can be a successful poker player, even if you are not the best cash game at your poker room of choice. There are some players that will consistently out play you, knocking you off a hand with a bluff when they are beat and extracting that extra call on the river when they have the best of it. Being outplayed can be frustrating, but there is no shame in it.
Many people make the mistake of shifting their goals from making a profit to finally getting that guy. This line of thinking is severely flawed and influenced by your ego.
How to Overcome the Ego Trap
The best way to overcome your ego is to think outside the box for a moment. Supposing a friend of yours pays you a visit. He tells you this story about how he keeps trying and trying to get this guy at the poker table. Your friend tells you “Every time, he is one step ahead of me! He has me so frustrated that I cannot think straight! What should I do?”
Most people would respond to their friends by pointing out the fact that the poker table offers many other opponents than just this one guy. Try avoiding him! If you cannot beat him, simply avoid him. At the end of the day, it does not matter where the money comes from, as long as you have turned a profit. Moreover, just because this guy “got you” does not mean you have to get him back. Your ego may require revenge, but your bankroll does not. Pick another player, out play them and avoid the nemesis that always gets the best of you.
Be smart about it; check that ego of yours at the door. The ego causes us to bring irrational emotion into the poker game. Poker is a game of logic, skill and calculated risk. Playing irrational, emotional and on tilt does not make the grade. Check the ego at the door before playing poker.