Was just thinking on the way home.

I mean there must be lots of players, even on here, that have read and understood every book, and all the theory, know what to do, or what you're suppossed to do in every situation.

Yet there are relatively few who make the millions in poker.

so what makes the top few better than the rest? Just innate ability?

1.) Books just tell theories and basic strategies. A book can't tell you how to play the game.

2.) The books, theory, and "supposed to's" are all relative because you're playing against human beings. It's not like a video game where there's a "way"
to beat the game. That's the biggest mistake people make when they go book crazy.

3.) As much crap you hear about poker being one long session, it's a copout for people who can't put their opponents on hands in the moment. That long session is made up of infinite moments and the best have a larger amount of great reads in the moment. Reads aren't about bluffing, but knowing how to extract chips from A as oppossed to B which is much different from C.

There are tons of other reasons like television makes them good. Having money doesn't make you good. I can't think of a common TV guy who's strategy I don't admire in some way. Others hate certain players' play for ignorant, narcissistic reasons.

I never think about it. There's no reason to think about it. If you play 6 hours a day for the next year, you'll learn more than you will in 2 years of not playing more than 10 hours a week and just reading books that repeat themselves book-by-book, page-by-page.

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Poker is one of those games that lots of people can be good at. Some people can be great at it however.

Knowing the fundamentals doesnt help your game at all if you dont know when to implement them. In my opinion anyone who considers themselves a true player of the game must learn all of the fundamentals before they really start playing.

The most important differences between the top players and the rest of us are two things:

1.Instincts
Some people have them. Some dont. Some are better than others.

2.Discipline
This is a big one. Just cause you know the math and odds and have a good idea of what it takes to win, doesnt mean you will always do that.

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Lots of good rakeback options at http://www.raketherake.com/?refer=RTR25126

KRE8R probably has about seventy college funds in his NL5 roll.

Discipline has got to be one of the deciding factors.

Experience, also.

This is an interesting one and I was also thinking the same myself.

I like others submerse myself in books, but now after about 18 months am only really beginning to know where to apply the theories.

This site has also improved my game with the constructive comment that comes from it.

However I am only playing at a certain level due to bank roll limitations and can't even begin to understand where my game is at as opposed to the best in the world.

I have had a very successful day today (have played for the best part of 12 hours on various 5, 10 and 20 man tournaments) and was wondering was I just lucky or was I playing above my previous best.

I also wonder how much of a part luck has played with the best in the world at the right time.

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http://gthejester.blogspot.com

A closed mind is like a closed book ... its just a piece of wood.

Ditto for me... But, I haven't exactly had the deck hitting me in the face, and I've been playing with some heavy hitters and hangin' tough.. If not for some river suckouts I'd be up a LOT this week. Those suckouts may have been the difference between $1K, and $3K

Either way I know I'm not just running good, I've just hit a point in my game that I'm more comfortable, I'm properly rolled, and most of all, I'm playing smart and the difference between making those little mistakes, and not making them is HUGE in terms of +EV$...

10% luck
20% skill
15% concentrated power of will
5% pleasure
50% pain
100% reason to remember the name

been playing nba live lately

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If there wern't luck involed i guess id win everyone

there the best at taking every peice of information and making the correct decision for that player at that moment...They see suttle tells and watch betting paterns and know what type of mood your in and what type of person you are at that moment and they take all that and apply it to beating you...

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stop worrying so much and just let go.

They're the best because they learn from me.

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BOSS

imo and personal experience poker books are great....for the beginner but i would imagine their value drops as you get more experienced.

For me i need to read books and play to learn if i just played i sure as hell wouldn't learn, cos what...your trying to work everything out for yourself when you could have someguy tell you it and then go and look for it (mostly beggining to intermediate play)

What i would be interetsted to know is do most of you top guys on here try and develop your own style of play?

Cheers

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