In my years of coaching many of the highest-stakes poker players in the world, I’ve learned this:
Every high-stakes crusher has a friend they say knows just as much – or more – about poker strategy than they do, but this friend plays several levels lower and is making far less money.
It doesn't matter what game you play. Take a look around. And I’ll bet good money that the 'smartest' poker player in your pool who studies the hardest and knows the most is probably not the person who is bringing home the most money at the end of the year.
Most people think they are one and the same. That more knowledge equals more money.
I can assure you this is not the case. Knowledge simply makes it possible to earn more and more the more you learn – but it’s your ability to stay present through each hand, trust your instincts, and accept all the big emotions as you win and lose money day after day that lets you turn that knowledge into actual profit.
Staying present when it matters most
If you can’t do this, you will become a different version of yourself when it’s time to make big decisions, a version of yourself who is completely incapable of playing at the level you’ve trained yourself to play.
You will choke under pressure. Make decisions you regret long after. And always be the one complaining about how you never win what you 'should,' not seeing that you are lacking the essential skill of being able to convert your knowledge into profit – and thus are getting exactly what you deserve.
Once you land here, more study just makes it worse. It widens the gap between what you know and how you play, which really is the worst feeling in poker.
Different results require a different approach. And that just starts with one simple question:
Are you going to decide that being present through the emotional ups and downs of the game is going to become an even higher priority than gaining more knowledge?
If so, I think you’ll really like the results.
Jason Su is the author of The Joy of Poker and coaches many of the world’s top poker players on how to perform their best when it matters most.
Learn more with Jason on YouTube and through what some say is 'the best newsletter in poker,' which you can access for free at pokerwithpresence.com.
