ben roberts poker pro strategy tips from Full Tilt poker

Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone
Ben Roberts
Sept 18, 2006

Many beginner poker players naturally gravitate toward a level of game where they feel
most comfortable. The reasons for their choice may vary, but often include the size of their
starting bankroll, and the amount of money they feel comfortable wagering in a particular
hand or throughout a session.

This is perfectly normal and reasonable. One of the things that separate truly profitable
players from winning players, however, is their willingness to step out of their comfort zone
and explore higher limit games.

After a few hundred hours of play, many people can determine whether or not they are
beating their regular games. For those players who are showing a profit, there are some
for whom taking home an extra $100 or $200 per week is perfectly acceptable. They're
mainly playing for fun and the winnings are a nice benefit. For others, however, poker may
be a steady source of income, and boosting their bottom line could significantly affect their
lives away from the table.

One of the smartest things these players can do is to stretch their games and play at
higher limits. With proper planning, and the right approach, the rewards can be
immeasurable. To that end, I have some suggestions for players who are thinking about
taking their game to the next level.

First and most important, make sure you have the bankroll to sustain yourself at a higher
level. If you take a shot and lose, you shouldn't have to worry about rebuilding your bankroll
from scratch. A good recommendation is to stockpile enough money so that you can
comfortably afford between eight and 10 buy-ins before you have to retreat to a smaller
game.

This leads to my second piece of advice, which is not to let a few losing sessions affect
your attitude or impair your judgment. I'm not saying that losing doesn't sting and that tilt
doesn't happen. They do. But, players who successfully move up the ladder understand
that not every session will be a winning one, and that by constantly analyzing their games -
and those of their opponents' - they'll be able to make adjustments that will help them
succeed.

When moving up the poker ladder, you'll inevitably encounter players with more experience
and skill than you possess. Recognizing these players and learning from them is one of
the smartest moves you can make. Conversely, letting your ego and pride get in the way of
observing these players can lead you to keep investing money in a losing situation and,
eventually, affect your overall performance and excitement toward the game.

Remember, successful people fail more often than unsuccessful people. Successful
people try new things, fall down, pick themselves up, and try again. So, if your first attempt
to move up to a higher stakes game falls short of your expectations, don't despair. Look at
your play and the play of your opponents, regroup, and try again. The experience will be
worth it.