These two factors are skill and focus. You need poker skills in order to realize what decision to make. Sometimes you will have to raise, other times you will have to fold, and other times you will have to bluff. You will also need focus in order to use your poker skills to the maximum. There’s no use in having excellent poker skills if you cannot properly use them, now is it?


There are also other factors that influence your poker game, such as the fear factor. And they influence it in a negative manner. Just think about it for a second. Every activity has a certain degree or risk in it. That risk makes us uncomfortable, makes us scared of an unwanted outcome. It gets worse when you are playing poker. You are competing against real people and all of them want to get the pot. That means that all of them can do pretty much everything to get the pot. Well, they cannot break the rules, but they can use your own fears against you. If they can figure out what you want, they will try to prevent you from getting that thing. If they can figure out what makes you afraid, they will use that information to their advantage.


But what are poker players afraid of? The truth of the matter is that there are plenty of things that worry and scare a poker player. All the things that make you worry when you are playing poker are actually part of the fear factor. Let’s say that you just made a big raise, you will surely be afraid or concerned that someone will call you. The same applies to when you call, bluff, bet, re-raise, and so on.


Being afraid or concerned is a good thing. There is quite a lot of money on the line and you should by all means be a bit afraid. But you must not get your emotions get the best of you. Remember that you must stay focused and on top of your game. Try not to show your opponents any of your fears, and try to take advantage of the fears and concerns that they display. If you are afraid of the competition, try playing fewer hands and tighten up your game.


The thing that you must realize is that fear can considerably influence your game. If you keep your emotions in check, then that fear will help you be more focused, will help you play better. If on the other hand you let your emotions run wild, if you let your fears get the best of you, you will only lose. To have a profitable poker session you must stay calm, keep a cool head, and stay focused on the game.

By: Adrian Radulescu

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