Patience

In poker, as in life, patience pays off, especially in Texas Hold'em. Last night's play and action was very slow. It was a grind to look at hand after hand of ragged cards for what seemed like an eternity. After two hours, and stuck about $90.00 in a 4-8 hold'em game at the Oasis casino, I peeked at my hole cards to see a As 9s on the button. Three spades on the flop yielded a nut flush and I had four-way action through the river. During the next two hours, the cards flowed my way and I ended up $250.00 in the black. In Texas Hold'em, this kind of swing often happens.

Eventually, I usually win if I stick to my standards and don't gamble it up with questionable holdings. Patience is the key. By playing only cards, with good hand rankings (like Skalansky and others rate them), in position, over time a player will have the best of it. Also, one must pay attention to the tempo and the attitude of the game that's being played. in my low limit game, if it's passive pre-flop, I will see many more flops because the blinds are low ($1-$2) and any two cards can win. Of course, one needs to maintain discipline and get away from a hand when the flop misses. Chasing a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a losing proposition. The skill of getting away from a hand, seperates the wheat from the chaff, the good poker player from the average Joe. If the game is a wild pre-flop raising war, I'll tighten up and play premium holdings, prepare for radical chip flucuations, and make the gamblers pay to see premium cards. Thoughtful patience, over time creates winning poker.

Link