Become a Better Poker Player by Keeping Calm Under Pressure and Managing Your Emotions

Poker is a game of skill and strategy. But it is also a game of psychological savvy and emotional control. Keeping calm under pressure and managing your emotions can help you become a better player and make more money at the table. The divide between break-even beginner players and big-time winners is not as wide as many people think. In fact, it is often just a few small adjustments that can carry you over the top to winning at a high rate.

A key poker principle is position. To maximize your profits you need to act last in the post-flop portion of a hand. This requires a solid understanding of how to read your opponents and their betting habits. You also need to know when to bet, and how much. If you bet too much, your opponents may just call every time and you won’t get the best chance to improve your hands.

Paying attention to your opponents can help you determine how strong their holdings are. A large part of this comes from reading their body language and behavior. It’s important to notice if they are making frequent bets or not calling with weak pairs, for example. You can also learn a lot by paying attention to how they move their chips around the table. This is the basis behind poker reads, and a big component of the game.