Do You Believe in Poker Instincts?

L

LiviuRo123

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 11, 2025
Total posts
225
RO
Poker Chips
115
Casino Coins
0
  • #1
Sometimes I make a move just because "it feels right." Do you trust your instincts in poker or always rely on math and logic?
 
dannystanks

dannystanks

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 25, 2023
Total posts
1,179
US
Poker Chips
968
Casino Coins
0
  • #2
Having a great feel for the game comes with experience and yeah it’s important to have.
 
eberetta1

eberetta1

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Total posts
2,609
Awards
7
US
Poker Chips
258
Casino Coins
5
  • #3
You have to takes some risks in life to get the glory. If you are wrong at least, well if we were fishing, we have another great fish story to tell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: anasslaaleg
bruno13xs

bruno13xs

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 30, 2018
Total posts
1,707
Awards
4
BR
Poker Chips
420
Casino Coins
0
  • #4
In poker I rely more on odds calculations than on instinct or luck
 
ironduke11

ironduke11

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Total posts
551
Awards
2
Poker Chips
362
Casino Coins
5
  • #5
dependson what you attribute those instincts too...if it is just naked intuition then no...thats called guess work.
 
Prophet

Prophet

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Total posts
280
Awards
1
Poker Chips
282
Casino Coins
5
  • #6
Over the years I discovered that live poker is a different game than online poker , and there playing on instinct might apply,
but online there is nothing random, and must always rely on statistics
 
P

pltelles

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 8, 2018
Total posts
904
Awards
3
BR
Poker Chips
735
Casino Coins
5
  • #7
I think it's better to trust math, my instincts are letting me down. LOL
 
TeUnit

TeUnit

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 20, 2009
Total posts
6,338
Awards
25
Poker Chips
646
Casino Coins
140
  • #8
Its your brain remembering and learning from past events.
 
chicbulls2

chicbulls2

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Aug 19, 2018
Total posts
496
Awards
3
BA
Poker Chips
381
Casino Coins
0
  • #9
sometimes you just feel it
 
AIMFIRE

AIMFIRE

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 5, 2025
Total posts
3
ZA
Poker Chips
79
Casino Coins
0
  • #10
I am not sure about poker instincts, but I always question my instincts pre and post flop, etc.
 
SPANKYSN

SPANKYSN

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Total posts
2,260
Awards
7
CA
Poker Chips
1,349
Casino Coins
10
  • #11
LiviuRo123 said:
Sometimes I make a move just because "it feels right." Do you trust your instincts in poker or always rely on math and logic?
I do both…I play the numbers game, but I also play the player…one can get an gut feeling by observing other players, so it sometimes feels right based on history.
 
Tadi

Tadi

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Aug 18, 2016
Total posts
734
Awards
3
BA
Poker Chips
1,109
Casino Coins
0
  • #12
LiviuRo123 said:
Sometimes I make a move just because "it feels right." Do you trust your instincts in poker or always rely on math and logic?
I also play by instinct, but I stick to the rules more.
 
V

veszmo

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 20, 2024
Total posts
326
Awards
1
HU
Poker Chips
278
Casino Coins
0
  • #13
Sometimes my intuition comes through, sometimes it doesn't. That's why I try to put in my own set of rules.
 
yuriko oyama

yuriko oyama

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Total posts
1,127
Awards
2
BR
Poker Chips
1,550
Casino Coins
0
  • #14
As Harvey Specter would say: "poker is a game of people, not cards", based on this premise, I always try to observe the objective and intention of my playing partner, to try to make a more coherent decision for that particular situation.
 
Roller

Roller

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Total posts
2,796
Awards
5
US
Poker Chips
858
Casino Coins
5
  • #15
Sometimes I make moves that “feel right,” but in poker, I try to let math and logic lead, and use instincts only as a secondary guide. Gut feelings can sometimes save you in tricky spots, but more often they’re just excuses for risk-taking.

I see it like this: instincts are useful for nuance and timing, but expected value and solid strategy are what actually keep your bankroll growing over the long run.
 
ledsmith

ledsmith

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Total posts
1,938
Awards
2
KZ
Poker Chips
1,371
Casino Coins
0
  • #16
No, I don't believe in poker instincts. Sure, it works sometimes, but it doesn't always. So there's an element of chance involved.
 
schtiuky

schtiuky

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Nov 25, 2017
Total posts
836
Awards
1
RO
Poker Chips
300
Casino Coins
5
  • #17
Yes i do you keep track of your other experiences so i do ask myself sometimes if math prevails or not.
 
M

mssmotilda

Visionary
Bronze Level
Joined
Oct 1, 2020
Total posts
729
Awards
2
Poker Chips
538
Casino Coins
0
  • #18
I think good instincts in poker come with experience.
 
anasslaaleg

anasslaaleg

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Total posts
550
Awards
1
MA
Poker Chips
247
Casino Coins
10
  • #19
Some players call it instinct. Others call it experience in disguise.
When you’ve played thousands of hands, your brain starts recognizing patterns faster than you can explain.
That little voice saying “he’s bluffing” might not be magic it’s your subconscious reading timing, bet sizing, and energy.
But instincts alone can mislead you when emotions take over.
True poker intuition is built from discipline, study, and countless hours at the table.
Trust your gut but make sure it’s trained.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dorugremon
C

caueribeiri

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 8, 2025
Total posts
28
BR
Poker Chips
96
Casino Coins
0
  • #20
Sometimes I make a move just because "it feels right." Do you trust your instincts in poker or always rely on math and logic?
 
Top