Results-oriented thinking in play poker is making decisions based on results that you have seen others have or have had yourself. This is in spite of common sense or long-term mathematical expectations – things that poker decisions should be based on.
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Being results-oriented is destructive to the psyche of a poker online player. In fact, we could easily argue the fact that being results-oriented can be worse than tilt in some aspects. At least you know when you’re pissed off and tilting. You aren’t always aware of when you’re being results-oriented, at least not until your entire game and bankroll is sunk.
Consequences of Being a Results-Oriented Poker Player
There are several consequences of being a results-oriented best online poker player. In general, you won’t be making decisions with long-term mathematical expectations in mind. This is obviously incorrect. There are several other smaller consequences as well.
Loss of Confidence:
A lack of confidence will stem from making decisions that don’t work out for some reason. This will make it increasingly harder for you to be confident in any decision you make as well as make it more difficult to avoid being results-oriented.
Change of Style or Strategy:
Many players who are results-oriented will feel that they have tons of leaks and problems with their game. They will then go and overhaul their game in an attempt to plug these leaks and it’s possible that their game will actually worsen as a result.
Difficult Time Improving:
Poker players are going to have a difficult time improving if they’re telling themselves that they’re doing something wrong or watching and mimicking someone else’s play.
Overcoming Results Orientation in Poker
Although it’s not easy to do, overcoming results orientation in online poker real money games is possible. Here are some suggestions to overcome the results orientation in a poker game.
Don’t Mimic Your Favorite Pro:
Just because “Phil Ivey does it” or “Daniel Negreanu does this” doesn’t mean you should. They got to where they are through hard work and solid play. Just because they can make 7-2 profitable, doesn’t mean you can – at least not yet.
Study Your Hand Histories:
You obviously want to look for mistakes that you make, but don’t forget to also highlight the things that you are doing well.
Have Confidence in Yourself:
When you make a play, tell yourself that this is without a doubt the most optimal line you can be taking. Don’t let the results of what you do tell you otherwise. You want to have confidence in yourself so you continue to make plays based on long term expectations.
Play for the Long Run:
If a play doesn’t pan out, who cares as long as it was made with positive long-term results in mind. All plays you make should be based on long term results, not guesses or hunches. This will make it much easier to avoid or overcome results orientation seeing as how these plays should prove to be profitable.
Get Help from Other Poker Buddies:
You’ll find more often than not that what you did is not very different, if at all different, from what your friends would do themselves.
Play Poker for Long Term Results
Like any other poker leak, being results-oriented can have a devastating effect on a player’s ability to play poker profitably. But if you can understand that not every hand will go your way and just play poker for long term results, you’ll find that you’ll become increasingly confident in your abilities regardless of the results of the actions you take.
Happy playing!
Read more:
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Mistakes of Maximum Play Poker Players