Why I decided to take poker seriously

I've been playing poker for a while, but lately I've started to see the game differently.

In the beginning, I was mainly focused on winning. If I had a good session, I felt like I was getting better. If I lost, I thought I was playing poorly or that I was simply unlucky.

Now I'm starting to understand that poker doesn't really work that way.

I decided to take the game more seriously and see how far I can go. I currently play at low stakes and work on the fundamentals, especially bankroll management, preflop decisions, expected value (EV) and tilt control.

My goal is not to become a professional overnight. I want to increase my capital little by little, to make progress when I have the right capital and, most importantly, to learn to make better decisions.

I know there will be losing streaks and probably some painful setbacks. Actually, I'm more interested in seeing how I manage those moments than how I manage victories.

So I start this journey from scratch and document what I learn along the way.

For those of you who have been playing for years:

**What is something you would have liked to understand as a beginner? **

One thing I wish I understood earlier: good decisions don't always produce good results immediately. Learning to trust the process, manage your bankroll, and stay calm during losing streaks is a huge part of becoming a better player.

I wish I knew this before so I could give myself a better evaluation after a single session. You never know whether you are good at poker or not because every game has different results depending on the moves you take.🤣

The most necessary advice I received was that it is essential to evaluate yourself based on the decision-making process rather than the outcomes of your hands. The game's success also depends on the bankroll management and tilt control skills, which are vital components in poker. I think that this piece of advice was given to me because, if you can control your losses during a losing streak, you have already achieved a significant success that many beginners lack. ♠️🤔

Taking poker seriously can really change the way you approach the game. I think the biggest step is learning to focus on decision-making and discipline instead of only the results. What was the main thing that made you decide it was time to take poker more seriously?