If I don’t have an edge right now, I wait (folding is also a winning decision).
Recognize signs of tilt (boredom, anger, the urge to chase losses).
Winning doesn’t depend on one session, but on thousands of hands.
Don’t play against players better than you unless you have to (seek out weaker players).
Recognize signs of tilt (boredom, anger, the urge to chase losses).
Winning doesn’t depend on one session, but on thousands of hands.
Don’t play against players better than you unless you have to (seek out weaker players).
I agree. Freerolls are actually great for building patience, because many times you simply don’t have an edge and you have to wait for good spots. What helped me most was accepting that folding is also a decision — you don’t need to play every hand. In the long run, patience pays much more than chasing action.
Patience is everything in online poker!
What strategies do you use to improve your patience? I often find myself on "boredom tilt" and just want some action, but if I multi-table (2-3 at once) or try to do something else at the same time, I'm usually better at only playing my +EV hands.
The downside is I always seem to get AK, AQ and KK at all three tables at once, then the next 10 hands is unsuited trash on all three of them. I guess clicking fold three times a minute is less boring than just once a minute 😎. But then I have to watch three flops simultaneously and that makes it harder to play well. Same if I'm working on something else on the side then I lose focus on the game and make silly mistakes (usually either folding something I could have played on the button or raising something I shouldn't have UTG).
Staying engaged and waiting for the right hands is definitely more art than science, I'm still trying to figure out the best formula for myself.
As for game selection, if you've built up enough blinds to buy-in to a couple micro or small stakes, I also look at the number of BB I'm going in at and where that puts me in the standings. If it's >25 BB and I'll start in the middle 60% of players, than I usually feel good that I'll be able to sit and build up for a while to make it in the money.
The downside is I always seem to get AK, AQ and KK at all three tables at once, then the next 10 hands is unsuited trash on all three of them. I guess clicking fold three times a minute is less boring than just once a minute 😎. But then I have to watch three flops simultaneously and that makes it harder to play well. Same if I'm working on something else on the side then I lose focus on the game and make silly mistakes (usually either folding something I could have played on the button or raising something I shouldn't have UTG).
Staying engaged and waiting for the right hands is definitely more art than science, I'm still trying to figure out the best formula for myself.
As for game selection, if you've built up enough blinds to buy-in to a couple micro or small stakes, I also look at the number of BB I'm going in at and where that puts me in the standings. If it's >25 BB and I'll start in the middle 60% of players, than I usually feel good that I'll be able to sit and build up for a while to make it in the money.
In freerolls, the most important thing for me is to stay patient and disciplined, not to chase quick wins.
I choose tournaments wisely: fewer players, a comfortable structure, and a convenient start time.
At the start, I play tight and calmly, my goal is to survive to the money.
I analyze my experience: my hands, mistakes, what worked, what didn’t.
Gradually, I expand my strategy and hand range as I gain confidence.
I choose tournaments wisely: fewer players, a comfortable structure, and a convenient start time.
At the start, I play tight and calmly, my goal is to survive to the money.
I analyze my experience: my hands, mistakes, what worked, what didn’t.
Gradually, I expand my strategy and hand range as I gain confidence.
Patience is the only skill in poker that doesn't cost a dime but can save you thousands. Everyone talks about 'reading the soul' or 'massive bluffs,' but the real grinders know that winning is mostly just the ability to sit still and wait for the math to favor you
