In non tournament poker a player who hopes to win need a great deal of control. Discipline is key to success in all forms of poker, but in cash games it is key.
Poker is a long game. While poker sessions can be long, indeed, “long game” actually refers to the fact that a person plays poker over a long period of time, a master game that includes all the individual games they play in that time period.
This master game is played against the individual -- you play versus yourself. True, you face others when you sit down, and you play against them and win or lose based on their actions, the cards, and your own, but in the long game of poker you are the prime opponent.
In cash poker decisions are made based on their profitability over time, and the specific result of that action in that moment in time is irrelevant. When you take an action that has a positive result 80% of the time, it doesn’t matter if in this instance you have a negative result.
Over time you will be profitable -- as long as you are disciplined.
Discipline is important because the entire framework of this idea -- that poker will profit you over time -- is based on you playing consistently.
In the above example you need to make the play the same way EVERY time in order for the odds to weigh in your favor.
Learn the odds, learn the right plays in as many situations as you can -- and then STICK TO IT. Don’t go off script just because you feel like it.
Stay in control, and you will profit over time. Try this tip out at Full Tilt Poker.