Managing Poker Induced Stress
Perhaps the biggest difference between a great Poker player and a mediocre one is how they deal with and respond to stress. It cannot be avoided, but the good player knows how to handle it and move on. If you are new to the game, then managing stress will be very important.
The most important Poker strategy you can utilize against the stress induced by the game is to never play when you are not physically, emotionally and mentally fit. What non players, and even new players, do not understand is that Poker requires all the three elements mentioned to be in sync.
If you are experiencing any physical/emotional or mental stress, then Poker stress will appear more quickly. You will have a hard time focusing on your game, and this will lead to losses, subsequently getting on your nerves. Make sure that you are fit for the game before you compete.
Next, you must learn to look at things objectively. Players who first compete only see the wins and not the losses, and then when they see the losses pile up, they begin to ignore the wins. You may be focusing too much on that big pot you lost, but in fact your entire Poker bank roll may be in good shape.
Another way to deal with Poker stress is by accepting bad beats as part of the game. It is of course, something that is very easy to say, but very difficult to do. However, you must learn to accept it and deal with it because it will happen. You can use the odds and a lot of Poker strategy, but from time to time you will get beat. Only by accepting it will you be able to cope.
Some players like to tell others of just how bad their beat was, but in most cases you should not. This will only create the impression that you are a person who gets easily affected by such losses, and the other Poker players will use that against you. This will only make things worse for you in the long run.
Finally, when you are losing in bunches, just remember the great truth: losing and stress happens to everyone, including the very best. Contrary to what you might think, the Poker gods are not picking on you; just keep playing the game, and you will find yourself winning again in no time.