Poker and mentality

• What separates players who quit and those who stay for years?

For example, I've been playing for almost a year and I'm certainly losing money, now that I'm more focused on tournaments
I'm starting to recover a bit, I just keep playing because I really like it, is that all it is?

Surely you like poker a lot, like most of us, that's why you keep playing, it feels good when you win a tournament or when you reach a final table, when you study, read or watch how other professional players play and then you see that it gives good results, all of that motivates, besides the fact that you meet other people from different parts of the world, with the same taste for poker.
Losing money is part of poker and you have to accept it, even the best players in the world lose money, that's the variance, but with good banking control and adding volume of tournaments you can beat the variance and win money.

Some of my friends ever say "Only wins tournaments who doesn't need" and that is the more pure and absolute truth, because we became better players when we don't care about money played but about good decisions, that will bring money for us.

There are different life situations, but people who return know that it brings them pleasure and that is why they want to return.

For those who stay for years I'll bet they consider it a hobby and it's something they still enjoy even if they are a losing player. Think about it....most hobbies cost money very few make you money. One could be losing player at poker for 20+ years and it'd still could be a cheap hobby if one is smart about. I have hobby that most would describe as expensive......in the long run it's really pretty dam cheap for what it offers.

I'm into sim-racing on Iracing. The cost can be anywhere from $1500-$79,000+ just for a full-motion rig, wheel and pedals. Then there's a yearly sub+you buy each track and car separately for $15/each. Now some would say that's dam expensive. And yes it is and no it really isn't. One doesn't need a full-motion $79,000 rig and the most expensive wheel and pedals to be fast and hang with the worlds best. I'm in the top 5% in the world when it comes to sim racing....I spent a total of $2000 and been sim-racing for 15+ years now. That's only a $133/year for gear. Buy the sub every Black Friday $84/year. Cars and tracks you only buy what you need.

The best thing about Iracing is it's a lot like online poker. I can sit down and play/race/chat with the very best real world drivers from all the top racing series Indycar, F1, Nascar, Dirt racing and Rally all for $133/year. I've beaten Nascar champions, F1 champions and Indycar champions. Not many things offer that kinda value for a hobby.

Those who quit poker in my opinion either got sick of it or they just played because they thought it was easy money and quickly found out it wasn't.

Cheers!!!

The players who survive are the ones who don't let a bad downswing cause them to abandon a winning strategy.

Surely we all get angry, after losing about two or three tournaments, those who give up poker, maybe they don't like it very much, but the ones we follow mean that we like it, so we accept the variances.

For me, bankroll management and emotional control go hand in hand. When I'm properly rolled for the games I'm playing, bad beats are frustrating, but they don't affect my decision-making. When I'm under-rolled, every pot feels personal.

In poker, mindset is the factor that differentiates successful amateur players from professionals. The game demands that technical skill be accompanied by psychological resilience. Mathematics defines the probabilities, but it is mental control that dictates correct execution under extreme pressure.

leomarinho said:

• What separates players who quit and those who stay for years?

For example, I've been playing for almost a year and I'm certainly losing money, now that I'm more focused on tournaments
I'm starting to recover a bit, I just keep playing because I really like it, is that all it is?

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Discipline, Patience, Not Chasing Losses, Bankroll Management, Sincerity, Perseverance, Tenacity, Persistence, Dedication etc.
To become a successfull top professional player, that is all it is!

I like it and play when I get tired I just don't play

What separates players who quit from those who stay is mostly mindset and expectations. Many quit because they expect quick profits and underestimate variance, so a losing period feels like failure instead of a normal part of the process. The players who stay are usually those who genuinely enjoy the game itself and are willing to go through swings while improving over time. A losing first year, especially in tournaments, is very common and doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. If you like the game and keep learning from your sessions, that’s usually what keeps long-term players in poker.

If you enjoy playing poker, one of the most important lessons you'll learn is that bankroll management is essential. Losing more money than you can afford can negatively affect your mindset, emotions, and decision-making at the table.

Poker is a game of skill, patience, and discipline. Play responsibly, protect your bankroll, and always remember to enjoy the game. Play with responsibility and love for the game....

Good luck

Discipline and Determination
Who study more and have better habits wins
Luck is important but in long term, good habits and calmness probably makes more money
God bless

Players who stay in poker long-term usually enjoy the game itself, not just winning money.
They accept variance and focus on improving rather than short-term results.
Passion combined with continuous learning is what keeps most players going for years.

leomarinho said:

• What separates players who quit and those who stay for years?

For example, I've been playing for almost a year and I'm certainly losing money, now that I'm more focused on tournaments
I'm starting to recover a bit, I just keep playing because I really like it, is that all it is?

Click to expand...

I think passion is the main reason. If you enjoy the game and keep learning, it's easier to stay even during losing periods.

leomarinho said:

• What separates players who quit and those who stay for years?

For example, I've been playing for almost a year and I'm certainly losing money, now that I'm more focused on tournaments
I'm starting to recover a bit, I just keep playing because I really like it, is that all it is?

Click to expand...

Try not to spend money on the game. That is, do not spend your own money. Try to build a bankroll by playing freerolls. If you manage to build a bankroll of at least $100, then this means that you have good potential. Just try.

istbno said:

What separates players who quit from those who stay is mostly mindset and expectations. Many quit because they expect quick profits and underestimate variance, so a losing period feels like failure instead of a normal part of the process. The players who stay are usually those who genuinely enjoy the game itself and are willing to go through swings while improving over time. A losing first year, especially in tournaments, is very common and doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. If you like the game and keep learning from your sessions, that’s usually what keeps long-term players in poker.

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Obrigado pelo comentário, concordo com grande parte dele. A mentalidade e as expectativas realmente parecem ser fatores decisivos para permanecer no poker no longo prazo.

ammje said:

Surely you like poker a lot, like most of us, that's why you keep playing, it feels good when you win a tournament or when you reach a final table, when you study, read or watch how other professional players play and then you see that it gives good results, all of that motivates, besides the fact that you meet other people from different parts of the world, with the same taste for poker.
Losing money is part of poker and you have to accept it, even the best players in the world lose money, that's the variance, but with good banking control and adding volume of tournaments you can beat the variance and win money.

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Obrigado por compartilhar sua visão. Gostei especialmente da parte sobre a comunidade do poker, às vezes a gente foca tanto nos resultados que esquece o quanto aprender, evoluir e conhecer pessoas com a mesma paixão também faz parte da experiência.
Ao mesmo tempo, acho interessante discutir até que ponto a paixão pelo jogo ajuda a lidar com as perdas. Você acredita que qualquer jogador disciplinado e com boa gestão de banca consegue superar a variância no longo prazo, ou existe um ponto em que é preciso reconhecer que talvez o poker não seja a melhor escolha para aquela pessoa?

austral said:

The players who survive are the ones who don't let a bad downswing cause them to abandon a winning strategy.

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Thanks for the comment, I agree. Maintaining confidence in a winning strategy during a downswing is something that separates many players who remain from those who quit.

MishkaZL said:

Try not to spend money on the game. That is, do not spend your own money. Try to build a bankroll by playing freerolls. If you manage to build a bankroll of at least $100, then this means that you have good potential. Just try.

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Estou fazendo isso, jogando vários torneios todos os dias no tempo livre que tenho. Acredito que já passei de US$ 100 em ganhos, mas está tudo dividido em salas diferentes.

TheniT said:

Players who stay in poker long-term usually enjoy the game itself, not just winning money.
They accept variance and focus on improving rather than short-term results.
Passion combined with continuous learning is what keeps most players going for years.

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A paixão eu já tenho hahah, como você estuda poker ?

GarotoMaroto said:

Discipline and Determination
Who study more and have better habits wins
Luck is important but in long term, good habits and calmness probably makes more money
God bless

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Thanks for the comment. I agree that discipline and good habits make a huge difference in the long run. Luck influences short-term results, but consistency is often what really separates players over the years.

God bless you too!

navicula said:

If you enjoy playing poker, one of the most important lessons you'll learn is that bankroll management is essential. Losing more money than you can afford can negatively affect your mindset, emotions, and decision-making at the table.

Poker is a game of skill, patience, and discipline. Play responsibly, protect your bankroll, and always remember to enjoy the game. Play with responsibility and love for the game....

Good luck

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Thanks for the comment. I agree that bank management is one of the foundations of poker. When financial pressure comes into play, it's much harder to make good decisions.
And an interesting question remains: do you think that most players break the bank more because of lack of discipline or simply because they underestimate the variance? And do you think banking management would be necessary even in the beginning?

leomarinho said:

• ¿Qué diferencia a los jugadores que abandonan de los que permanecen durante años?

Por ejemplo, llevo jugando casi un año y sin duda estoy perdiendo dinero, ahora que estoy más centrado en los torneos.
Me estoy recuperando un poco, sigo jugando porque realmente me gusta, ¿es solo eso?

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I think the taste for the game is an important part, but it's not the only thing. Players who stay for years tend to accept that progress in poker is slow and that there will be bad streaks even when playing well.

Many drop out because they expect to make money quickly and get frustrated when reality doesn't match their expectations. On the other hand, those who continue tend to enjoy learning, analyze their mistakes and seek to constantly improve.

If after almost a year you are still playing, studying and you have also found a format that works better for you, such as tournaments, you already have something that many do not have: patience and desire to continue evolving.