THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Techniques
Self-control develops by practicing during the game the disciplines listed in Table 7:
TABLE 7
DISCIPLINES
Discipline Practiced Self-Control Developed
Consume no food or beverage Awareness
Do not swear or display feelings Emotional control
Maintain good posture--sit straight and keep both feet flat on the floor Alertness
Memorize important hands played and performance of each opponent Concentration
Mentally Review and criticize each play Objectivity
The good player increases his advantage as the game grinds into late hours. His disciplines become more
nagging and thus more effective for maintaining self-control. At the same time, the concentration and
playing ability of his tired opponents decrease. Also as his opponents develop into big winners or big
losers for the evening, they become less objective and respond more to their feelings.
A decrease in discipline has a cumulative effect that can cause even a sound player to deteriorate into a
poor player. For example, if a loss in discipline generates a breakdown in self-control, then a process of
deterioration starts. Deterioration may be only temporary . . . but it can be permanent, especially with
compulsive gamblers.
Deterioration can start spontaneously or can be induced by--
● a long losing or winning streak
● entering a higher-stake or a lower-stake game
● a close loss of a big hand
● a bad play or bet
● an upsetting remark
● boredom or weariness
● a personal problem
The good player recognizes any loss of discipline during the game. He adopts the following attitudes to
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