Fri, 01/14/2011 – 17:42 – PokerPages Staff

From an early age we are taught that winning is better than losing.  However, we are also taught that winning isn’t everything.  On the surface, these two concepts appear to be polar opposites.  And yet, success in poker requires that these two ideas co-exist in perfect harmony. 

In a game of poker, winning is obviously better than losing. But let’s face it – you will never win every game you play.  Not even the best, most experienced poker player wins every hand and walks away in the money.  It is, however, during the losing periods that the successful poker player realizes that winning isn’t everything.  In reality, you will likely lose more pots than you will win, but the key to being successful is learning to handle the loss. 

In short, handling loss is about absorbing the cost of your losses through betting – one of the only aspects of poker that is always within your complete control.  By knowing that your goal in poker is to maximize profit, you will also understand that losing well is about not giving up big bets.  You will lose pots, but the amount you lose remains within your control, aside from a bad beat.  Success comes in your ability to play the game strategically while not allowing yourself to succumb to poor play. 

Handling a loss well is a fundamental skill at becoming a successful poker player.  In a sense, by applying techniques of winning to losing situations, one can lessen the damage of a losing session.

To learn more, check out PokerSchoolOnline, the best source on the Internet for poker-related learning.  Then put those skills to work by playing for free at PokerStars.net. Check out PokerPages’ Poker Information and Poker Articles sections for more poker information and tips, poker rules, poker betting and strategies.