[johnf]

Playing Poker: What Motivates The Top Poker Players

Why do we play poker? But especially why do you play poker? This might strike you as an odd question but it is very important for your future success in the world of poker. The reason why you play poker is at least as important as the way you play poker.

We can categorize somehow the reasons why we play poker, we can properly analyze them and after that we can use them to improve our actual gaming style.

If we could ask several hundreds of players “Why do you play poker?� the odds are quite big that their answer would be “For the money�. But if we could access their last year statistics we would see that some just didn’t win any money at all, or at least that they didn’t win more that they lost. If money is the only reason these people play poker they why do they keep on doing it? Of course, there are many more answers that they don’t really want to admit. This happens because there are many other motivations that push us to play poker just as great as the desire to win many, but many of them are even greater.

And when you come to think about it, you can surely find many many reasons: fun, the love of the game, competition, making friends, the desire to beat the best there is in the world of poker, and the list can go on and on. But if you understand the various reasons behind your game you will eventually manage to change your view about winning and losing or you will be able to choose the perfectly fit games for you, the ones that will bring you the most success.

In his book, “Psychology of Poker�, Alan N. Shoonmaker explains in detail the importance of understanding personal impulses in order to find the answer to the question “Why do we play poker?�

I will take the liberty to speak a little bit about this theory.

Take a pen and a piece of paper and write down the following:
Money
Making friends
Relaxing
Pleasure
Competition
Just passing time

If you can think of additional reasons, write those down also. Now you will have to think hard and find within yourselves the real reasons you play poker for.

Once you did that, write after each reason a percentage, even if it is 0%, just keep in mind that all of them added must equal 100%.

If someone would play poker 20% for Money, 10% for relaxation, 50% for pleasure and the remaining 20% for competition, then he would be what is called a loose player most of the time, playing many hands and staying in the game as much as he can just for the thrill of being there. This is the most important think for him and it influences his style of playing.

If you manage to carefully and correctly analyze your own situation you can eventually change some parts of your game you don’t like or improve the ones that you consider are good.

In many types of competitions, the battle is firstly within yourself and only after that with your opponents. Bad mistakes in poker are made when you are too proud, when you question your ability and doubt your self all the time, when you are too scared or shy when you must take an action or when your thoughts are just somewhere else.

If you play poker just with friends to pass the time, then you must choose games with low bids, so your bankroll will last longer. If you are playing to relax then stay out of the games with poker fanatics and choose some games with less involved players.

The answers can be various and they only depend on you. But answering the question is a must if you wish to improve your game.

[DeepBlue]

I would probably be regarded as very loose then, as I'm definitely a casual player. I like to win, not just for the money but the competative edge, though I don't take things seriously or write down every hand I play, and I like to use it as a time to socialise a little.

[autumn]

I must be a casual player also. Money - 30%; Pleasure - 30%; relaxing - 20%; competition -20%

I usually play with friends, not in tournaments...not that good, not that confident!

[DeepBlue]

Not keen to become shark bait in the world of tournament poker then, autumn? Don't worry, me neither! I'll play in online tournaments or even small tournaments between friends/colleagues, but I wouldn't be one to crash a large tournament for big cash prizes and the like. I too, really aren't that good - better than some, but not enough to play for anything more than loose change

[autumn]

No, I could never be in a big tournament. The first time someone laughed at some stupid play I made, I'd have to leave..I'm thoroughly intimidated by the experts. I'll stay with the friendly games, as you say, have a few laughs, maybe win a few hands, and probably learn something too.

[DeepBlue]

Hehe, likewise - I'd love to attend, though more to watch than to play. I think that my aggressive style may keep me in the games a reasonable length of time, it would only be a matter of time before I was played out by people much more knowledgeable than myself who would soon start to read me like an open book.

[autumn]

I think it would be fun to take some lessons from one of the top players, probably cost a fortune, but something like a tutoring session with other players. As long as it wasn't cut-throat, I'd enjoy the experience. And too, you never know, we might be better than we think...I think all the strategy, tips, etc., are not much help, if you don't get the cards!

[DeepBlue]

Probably in the four-figure region. It would be a good experience, but I think that their style of play isn't always appropriate for the kind of tables the likes of many play at.

Whereas it will be a tight, low risk game, a pro may miss out on opportunities to extract money from weaker players purely because they aren't used to idiots raising with nothing in hand! Then again, I suppose they had to start somewhere and would probably make light work of anyone who had the opportunity to play against them from an amateur position.

I would be interested to see more amateurs take on the pro's though.

[autumn]

I agree, more amateurs to challenge the favorites...the ones who always win. Greg Raymer did it in 2004 or 2005 I believe. I think if they would lower the buy-ins, more amateurs might have a chance. The satellite tournaments help, of course, but amateurs don't always have the money to travel and enter the tournaments to even qualify. It's limited too, if you happen to live in a state with no casinos or legalized gambling.

[DeepBlue]

Exactly, although casino's and card games are more accessible than ever there are still some states, even countries, where you can't play due to the legality of gambling.

The satellite tournaments are a great idea, but in practice as you pointed out it still requires money to have half a chance of qualifying.

[autumn]

We can drive from Texas to Louisiana to casinos there, but the drive is long and tiring. By the time you get there, you don't feel much like staying up the rest of the night. Of course, there are flights into New Orleans and places, but that's expensive too. Maybe more states will open up to casino gambling, and more amateurs can get in the tournaments. I know there are a lot of poker players here, and some of the professionals have migrated from Texas to the big time. Also, it seems that some of the top poker players now are younger, which gives some new life and interest to the tournaments. The "old-timers" are great, no doubt, but new faces are good to see.

[DeepBlue]

Hehe, indeed they are - although not too fresh faced, arrogance seems to be a thing more found in the younger players.