MINDSET 101 FOR POKER PLAYERS: START FROM HERE TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL GAME

Welcome to the inaugural article of a series I am introducing titled “Performance 101 for Poker Players.”

This series aims to present significant performance-related topics in a manner that is accessible and manageable for all.

In today’s segment, “Mindset 101,” we will explore the following in this blog:

• The Definition of Mindset

• Types of Mindsets

• Nourishing Each Type of Mindset

• Benefits of Understanding Your Mindset

• Discovering Your Mindset

While this concept is intricate, I aim to simplify it to enhance our understanding of brain functionality.

The primary motivation for this post stems from my observation. Whenever I ask my players about their understanding of Mindset, none can provide an accurate answer. A few come close, often perceiving it as a positive or negative influence on their earnings.

However, the issue arises when they only scrutinize their mindset during losses or when overwhelmed by intense negative emotions, rather than consistently evaluating it, regardless of winning or losing.

Now, let’s delve deeper into this topic!

Mindset

Definition of Mindset

Let’s dive right in:

Mindsets are the core beliefs that steer us toward certain expectations, interpretations, and goals. They significantly influence how we perceive our experiences and shape our behaviors.

Often, we talk about mindset as a static possession, whereas in reality, it is more of a dynamic experience. Mindset is not only situation-dependent but also profoundly influenced by our surrounding environment.

It’s important to note the strong link between motivation and mindset. While we will delve into motivation in the 101 series, it’s crucial to understand that everything is interconnected and influences us in various ways.

Although there are several types of mindsets, when it comes to competition, two distinct types stand out: the Result Mindset and the Performance Mindset.

Result Mindset:

This mindset is centered on outcomes. To clarify, desiring victory isn’t inherently negative. Winning and losing are fundamental aspects of competition. However, the focus here is on a deeper issue.

As previously mentioned, mindsets are core beliefs that direct individuals toward specific expectations, interpretations, and goals. Those with a result-oriented mindset develop beliefs and expectations that are focused primarily on outcomes.

What does this entail? They may begin a session with the goal of winning a tournament, thus creating an expectation of monetary gain. Consequently, every hand won is perceived as a step closer to the tournament victory and the prize, while each loss is seen as a setback, leading to a misguided interpretation of the game. This is problematic because it fosters emotional dependency on winning hands, resulting in more intense emotional swings and a reliance on outcomes.

Tilting typically occurs after losing a hand or a series of hands. Notably, no player tilts from winning.

Poker includes a unique element rarely found in other disciplines: variance. While we can express frustration or anger towards variance, it remains an integral part of the game and must be accepted and incorporated into our mindset. In a Result Mindset, variance is often disregarded, framing everything in a binary context of winning or losing.

Building a healthy mental game involves shaping your mindset both at and away from the poker table.

Performance Mindset:

As the name suggests, this mindset concentrates on performance, an aspect we can control more effectively. Individuals with a performance mindset approach their gaming sessions with a strategy based on various factors: the number of tables, the stage of the tournament, the stakes, and the opponents. Their plan adjusts according to these elements to optimize their actions.

Their expectations center on their play quality. Common sentiments among these players include: “I expected to play better” or “I felt comfortable with my performance today.”

A key aspect of this mindset is their approach to analyzing hands. They aim to learn and comprehend the outcomes. When they lose, they view it as an opportunity to glean insights from that hand to enhance their gameplay.

It’s important to note that such players can still experience anger or frustration when things don’t go as planned. However, they recognize that errors are a natural part of any competitive process and can be valuable learning experiences to strengthen their game.

This mindset embodies the potential for continuous improvement. There’s always a way to refine your mindset and its responses.

Benefits

Understanding our mindset enables us to apply it beneficially in our lives, allowing us to assess various mindsets we encounter daily and challenge them for healthier, more flexible perspectives.

Moreover, the great part is its optional nature. What does this mean? Ultimately, it’s a matter of choice. We can maintain our current mindsets, whether they are beneficial or not. Recognizing our belief systems and observing them in our daily activities opens up the possibility to choose our course of action.

This choice, this opportunity I’m referring to, becomes apparent when we realize we have the power to alter our perception of the world.

Our worldview, expectations, beliefs, or in simpler terms, our mindset, significantly influence our physical and emotional health (as detailed in a study found at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10615806.2016.1275585). For professionals, it’s crucial to understand how our mindset impacts not just our performance in the game, but also our overall quality of life.

Working on Your Mindset

To modify or improve your mindset, engaging in a metacognitive process is essential. Indeed, it’s a complex task, and this is where I recommend seeking assistance from a trained professional experienced in such processes. Understandably, as you’re reading this blog written by a qualified psychologist, you might assume my suggestion is to contact me. However, that’s not necessarily the case. While I’d be delighted to assist, the key point is to comprehend what’s happening and then decide who you wish to work with. Something I always emphasize to those I collaborate with is that the choice of professional doesn’t matter as much as the commitment to work on it. There are many recognized professionals in the Poker industry equipped for this work. Opt for someone who makes you feel at ease.

Now, aside from this advice, I’d like to propose an exercise to help you become more acquainted with your mindsets. Discussing beliefs, expectations, and worldviews can be challenging; after all, these aren’t topics we’re taught in school.

This exercise focuses on self-knowledge and self-awareness. And no, I’m not about to guide you on a spiritual journey. Instead, I encourage you to take notes. Observe your emotions, your reactions, and pay attention to your internal dialogue. Document your experiences, your thoughts about various situations, and after a few days, review your notes calmly. Ask yourself, “How is the person who wrote this viewing the world?”

Conclusion

In summary, our mindset, or mentality, is more than a collection of beliefs; it’s an active framework that shapes our experiences, significantly influencing both our emotional state and physical health. This mentality plays a pivotal role in our poker performance and overall life contentment. Throughout this series, we’ve explored the intricacies of Result and Performance Mindsets, highlighting the crucial role of understanding and potentially reshaping our outlooks. By recognizing our current mentality and consciously working towards a Performance-Oriented approach, we can achieve not only a more consistent level of play but also a balanced and fulfilling personal and professional life. The journey towards self-awareness and improvement is continuous, starting with the willingness to explore and refine our mental approaches.