Beating the Blues During Lockdown: Why Not Become a Poker Pro?

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Most people would like to think they know what it means to make the best of a bad situation. Unfortunately, we’re occasionally thrown into a situation that’s so bad, we really don’t know what to do with ourselves.

A prime example of which being the mandatory lockdown which is currently affecting more than HALF of the world’s entire population.

These are truly unprecedented times that nobody could have expected or planned for. Nevertheless, it’s the way of the world right now and could be for some time. In which case, it simply makes sense to pass the time productively.

So, why not take the opportunity to take your poker skills to the next level?

Lockdown has seen major online poker sites like Americas Cardroom experience the most enormous influx of activity in recent years. (FYI: Josh at BTF recommends this bonus code if planning on hitting the tables at Americas Cardroom anytime soon).

There’s an enormous community of amateur and professional poker players doing their thing online right now, so why not join them?

The Surprising Benefits of Playing Poker

Whether your intention is to go pro or simply wipe the floor with your mates when lockdown is finally lifted, there’s never been a better time to work on your game. In any case, it’s worth remembering that playing poker isn’t only about cleaning house and killing time.

There are some surprising benefits to poker you probably weren’t aware of, including but not limited to the following

Concentration Enhancement

Concentration lies at the heart of successful poker play. Try as you might, it’s fundamentally impossible to perform with any kind of consistency if you don’t pay attention at all times. From the cards you’re dealt to the expressions on your opponents’ faces to their moves and habits and so on, there’s a ton happening around you at all times. All of which can help you build and enhance your concentration skills in the process.

Better Emotional Control

Likewise, acting on impulse and allowing your emotions to get the better of you is what abysmal poker play is all about. To succeed when playing poker at any level, you need to learn to keep your emotions under control and under wraps.  Again, this amounts to the kind of life skill that could prove enormously useful in your professional and personal lives long-term.

Management of Money

Admittedly, this is where a lot of people slip up. Nevertheless, poker (and all types of online gambling) provides savvy and responsible individuals with the opportunity to enhance and improve their money management skills. Chances are that if you can carefully and strategically manage your bankroll under pressure, you’ll find it much easier to manage the rest of your finances in general.

Decision-Making Skills

The ability to make rational, logical and educated decisions can have enormous benefits in all aspects of life. Again, this is one of the most important skills to master if you’re to have any success at the poker table.

General Self-Discipline

Of course, the importance of self-discipline when indulging in any type of gambling activity goes without saying. Flawless discipline is required to keep control of your actions and behaviours when playing poker, which again can help build invaluable life skills.

Stepping up Your Poker Play

If you’re all about making the best of a bad situation, there’s no better time to get started stepping up your poker play than right now.

Just be sure to keep the following tips in mind to ensure you get the most out of the experience.

1.  Scope out the best bonuses

If you’re planning on signing up with an online casino or poker room, it simply makes sense to ensure they’ve a decent bonus offer on the table. Before going ahead, consult the site’s terms and conditions that apply to the bonus, in order to make sure it’s worth signing up for. Wagering requirements, withdrawal limitations and time restrictions almost always apply – particularly where the more generous welcome bonuses are concerned.

2.  Do your homework

The web is literally bursting at the seams with helpful resources for fledgling poker pros. From video tutorials to documentaries to eBooks to online courses, there’s always something you could be doing to learn more about the game you love. Picking up a book penned by a successful poker pro is never a bad idea – it can also be a great way of killing time!

3.  Play more poker online

Ultimately, there’s nothing more valuable you can do to improve your game than to simply play more poker online. All the research and study in the world cannot make up for a lack of practical experience, so be sure to get busy as often as possible. And when you do, stick to tables that are appropriate for your bankroll and your risk appetite, otherwise you’re wasting your time.

4.  Never play when mad, sad or unhappy

Staying objective and logical when negative emotions are running riot is practically impossible. Hence, you should avoid playing poker at all costs when feeling under the weather. Likewise, a poker session that steers you towards feelings of anger or frustration is a session that needs to be walked away from immediately.

5.  Avoid intoxicants

Using booze to banish the lockdown blues is a bad idea at the best of times.  However, it’s an even worse idea if you’re planning on gambling online with real money. Again, it’s all about ensuring you are in an appropriate state to make logical, rational and educated decisions. All of which is impossible when intoxicated.

6.  Sign up for more tournaments

Last but not least, online poker tournaments can be great for transforming a relatively modest buy-in into a lot of enjoyable poker play. Not to mention, the chance to face off against of whole bunch of players with very different playing styles, with the possibility (albeit remote) of taking home a generous prize.  Plus, the fact that online poker tournaments often go on for hours makes them just the thing for passing the time when you’ve nowhere else to go!

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