On Being a "Naturally" Good Poker Player

Believe in yourself. Many advice the ubiquitous counsel of having a positive attitude in poker and believing that one should always feel a winner. Some even go to the extreme of saying that we have to believe that we are natural born poker winners---feel that we have no option but to always win. They say this attitude helps a lot. A lot of poker enthusiasts follow the advice. But how true is this?

It's amazing how self-conceit can often get in the way of wining. There's a proverb that before a downfall comes haughtiness. A certain amount of positive thinking is needed in poker, like believing one's ability and luck. But there's no such thing as a "natural poker player." By this they mean they were born with the skill and wit to win poker. They don't have to work hard on being better because it comes with age.

In reality, poker is a tremendously intricate card game that uses a lot of skills, wit, knowledge, and luck. With the exception of luck, the rest needs to be updated periodically to be upgraded for higher level of competency. Poker involves mathematical extrapolation, psychological analysis, reading body language and having body language skills, patience and self control, performing under pressure without being stressed out, and a lot more.

With too much confidence on one's natural poker ability or skills, the tendency is to be complacent and never try to improve, resulting in mediocrity. It's not enough just to be able to be good at reading people's facial expressions and reactions or moves or betting patterns. To be really good at poker, one has to regularly study the latest tactic trends and books and online poker literature, or even have online poker schooling. Then, one has to regularly try one's skills against others', even against veteran players. The thing is to always find ways to improve more. No one is born an expert poker player.

Poker has been here for centuries. Imagine the tactics and strategies that have been employed since its very beginning. Think of all the things to study on poker. Many "modern" techniques are actually revival of old techniques conceptualized a long time ago. If poker techniques were developed in time, what makes us think that we could be experts overnight?

Poker is a wit and skill game. A little luck is needed, but the honing of techniques and strategies need time to perfect, with more practice and study.