Texas Holdem Tip #5 - Professionals Practice. Why Don't You?
They say that “practice makes perfect.” That’s a lie. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
Most skills that we learn (like playing solid texas holdem) are developed through repetition. We perform an action over and over improving until we can “do it in our sleep” without thinking about it. That is the beauty of practice and the problem with it. At some point, our actions become automatic reflexes rather than conscious choices.
Consider this … when was the last time you focused on tying your shoes? You don’t think about it any more, you just do it. It’s been practiced so much that it is now a habit. So if your habits are bad, you will continue to do them a-u-t-o-m-a-t-i-c-a-l-l-y. As you make the same mistakes over and over, they become more deeply ingrained habits and harder to break. You are practicing a bad habit and reinforcing it. That is why only perfect texas holdem practice makes perfect texas holdem play.
The opportunities to practice are all around us. Many popular internet sites like Facebook have texas holdem games to play. You can also take advantage of several top online poker sites where you can play against live opponents. Or, you can just set up a friendly poker night with some friends.
How do you practice? Focus on one small thing for several games. It must be only one thing, otherwise you will likely be practicing bad habits. It must be a small thing so that you can master it.
Here are some ideas:
* Betting correctly from your position at the table
* Playing the correct hands
* Identifying betting patterns
* Spotting tells
* Placing you opponent on a hand or range of hands
* Aggressively stealing blinds
* Etc.
Since you will fold most hands, make sure that you watch what your opponents are doing and learn from their play as well. Be patient. Every hand is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Many professional players will play in smaller games periodically to practice and sharpen a particular skill. Their action is a wonderful texas holdem tip for all of us. Practice and you will win more often.
See you at the tables …