How to bring discipline in your game?

One thing, I never been able to learn or adapt is being disciplined, folding when I know I should, and getting up when I am head, regularly. Done few times but not enough that I become profitable player.

What have you done to overcome this shortcoming, if you ever had? Or do you sail in same boat as me?

Little background: I must admit in live cash games, my overall balance sheet is in red. I have made in money in a wsop non bracelet deep stack event and final table at a WPT tournament (trophy event).

I had been playing with real cash since 2016 and not played with real cash since Jan 2026 as don’t have access to any place to play (thankfully)

Currently just playing on replay poker and hate it how all ins are tilted towards bigger stack. You can all in with 72o against AK or AQ with bigger stack and you will most likely win 60% of the time especially in the tournaments. That keeps my love for poker at bay. Thankfully.

Why I am here? after few family losses, I lonely so back on this platform for distraction.

For me, discipline starts with knowing when to fold, even when I really want to continue.
I try to stick to my bankroll and avoid chasing losses after a bad session.
Having clear limits makes it much easier to stay focused and play better.

It is important to set a series of goals for yourself in every tournament: to make it into the money, to reach the top 20, to make it to the final table, and then to win the tournament. At each stage, you need to play in a way that aligns with your goal.

I am sorry for your losses. I hope things get better for you.

As for poker, I think discipline is one of the hardest things to develop. Knowing that you should fold is one thing, but actually being able to fold when you're emotionally involved in the hand is completely different. I still struggle with that myself sometimes. I think the important thing is not to expect perfection, but to gradually get better at recognizing those situations and walking away when you know you're no longer playing your A-game. Take care, and I hope poker can be a good distraction for you.

I think discipline in poker is less about willpower and more about having clear rules that you follow before emotions take over. For me, the biggest improvement would come from deciding in advance when to quit, both after a losing session and after a good run, because staying longer is usually where the mistakes begin. Also, learning to accept that folding a strong hand or walking away while ahead is not “missing out” - it’s part of protecting your bankroll and making the right decision long-term. Poker will always be there tomorrow, so there’s no need to win every battle today.

amitmanchanda said:

hate it how all ins are tilted towards bigger stack. You can all in with 72o against AK or AQ with bigger stack and you will most likely win 60% of the time especially in the tournaments.

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I don't believe that for a second.

john_entony said:

It is important to set a series of goals for yourself in every tournament: to make it into the money, to reach the top 20, to make it to the final table, and then to win the tournament. At each stage, you need to play in a way that aligns with your goal.

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My goal is a top cash or win right from the first deal every time, unless it's a bigger buy-in then I don't mind a smaller cash.

Discipline in poker is knowing when to take risks and when to stay patient.
In tournaments, you shouldn’t play every hand just because you can.
Sometimes checking down and protecting your stack is the smarter move.
Stay focused on the situation, not your emotions.
Good discipline can keep you alive and help you reach the money.

Discipline is mostly sticking to your ranges and rarely mixing in any out of range hands. Resist the temptation to play a junky hand during a longer stretch of card dead. Resist the temptation to mix in extra hands because of running hot, especially out of position. If we are mixing one in that often then we are no longer mixing in, we are widening our range.

Defeat is a free lesson, not a tragedy. Think only about your own actions, not about the mistakes of your allies.Some psychologists recommend placing something you aspire to on your desk: a nice house by the sea, a prestigious car, etc. Seeing your goal in person is a great motivator for gambling.

First I wanna say I'm sorry to hear of your family loses that can really take it's toll on a person(lost my dad a few years ago). All I have to offer here is with the more time that passes it gets a bit easier. There's still tough days thou and times of year.

Discipline isn't an easy thing and I think most struggle with it and always will to a degree I'm no exception either although I've gotten a lot better at being disciplined, having more patience and tilting a lot less. As Semprini says above you just gotta stick to your ranges and fold the junk. When playing cash and it's not your day learn to recognize that early and get up and leave while only behind a little. Same as when it is your day recognize that and maybe extend your session a bit longer then you normally would. If you're an MTT player if it's not your day don't spend anymore buy-ins that day.

Cheers!!!