Veteran Poker Dealer Reveals 2 Key Traits That Separate Pro Players From Casuals
Poker is one of the world’s most popular card games, but what does it take to make it as a professional player?
Winning cash games or tournaments at your local casino or bar is a million miles away from being the ace in the pack at the prestigious World Series of Poker.
Gambling.com, which specializes in finding you the best deals when signing up to online poker sites, spoke to a former player about what is required to hit the big time.
For the last 10 years, Chris Tidmarsh has been training poker dealers at his company, the West Coast Dealing School in Las Vegas, and believes there are two key elements needed to make a living from a card game with so many variations.
Top Poker Dealer Says Logging Games Key To Success
Asked what the biggest difference is between a casual poker player and a seasoned professional, Chris said: “Records. Even if you're the best player in the world, things are not going to go your way the whole time because the cards are random, right?
“So, we don't know what cards you're going to receive. We don't know what's going to come beyond the first cards that you receive. And that combination is how ultimately you end up with a hand that might win you money.
“[The key is] understanding the fact that there are natural flows in the game, not being deterred by the fact, and keeping records to understand that over a long period of time you're actually positive or negative, so you can understand your current culture and therefore assess and make adjustments based upon that.
“If you don't have that as a record system then over a long period of time you're never going to understand if you're a winning player or a losing player.
“So, fundamentally I would say that's the one thing that true professionals are doing, that your average amateur player doesn't consider or doesn't care about.”
Winners Stay Detached
However, there is another element that pros need to keep a lid on if they are to stay at the top of their profession.
“Emotions,” said Chris. “If you can't control emotions, whether you're dealing or whether you're playing, this is not right for you, at least in terms of being a professional.
“If you're a recreational player, it doesn't matter. You get wild, have a few drinks at the table, lose your mind a little bit and you throw money around - you don't care if you win or lose. You can't focus in the same way that you should be doing.
“And even all the things you may have learned in order to behave the right way within the game, you lose those inhibitions and the control because you don't control your emotions anymore.
“Even between the professionals, the big winners, and those that don't win so much, it's controlling that aspect of your behavior."
Poker Dealer Trainer Says Be Fearless
Chris, who has worked at many renowned poker rooms in Las Vegas, such as Planet Hollywood, the Golden Nugget and the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, added: “You've got to make decisions without fear.
“I mean, I was just watching a video recently. A player made a call that was $600,000 and he hadn't got anything. He got an ace high, but he knew the other guy had less. Now, could you do that?
“Now, I'm looking at ace high, thinking ‘he's just put me in for half a million dollars basically’ and this guy just puts the chips forward with no fear, no emotion, because he just knew it was the right thing to do based upon his understanding of the player and the situation.
“If you're emotional, that's never going to happen. It's one thing to make that bet, but it's certainly a totally different thing to call it after somebody else makes the bet. So, there I think is the big difference between top professionals and amateurs.”
Whether you’re a top poker player or just an Average Joe hoping to win a few bucks, sometimes all you need is a lucky charm to give you an edge over your rivals.
However, Chris hardly paws-ed for thought when he picked out the weirdest mascot he has ever seen at a poker game.
He said: “Oh my god, a cat. An actual live cat – on the table.
“I wasn't there as the dealer. I've experienced it through footage on videos and thought ‘what the heck is going on there?’ Why would it be allowed? I have no idea. But yep, it's a full-on cat sitting on the table.”
Do you have what it takes to be either a poker player or dealer? Tell us about your experiences on the table in the comment box below!
