888poker: The Keys to Poker Game Selection
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Game selection should be important to every poker player. It can be the difference between someone being a winning or losing player. Consider the factors outlined in this article presented by 888poker ambassador Alexandre "Cavalito" Mantovani before your next session to give yourself the greatest chance of success at the tables.
Be Honest About Your Goals
Do you play to win the most money you possibly can? Or to challenge yourself against the best players in the world? Are you willing to give up a bit of profitability to decrease variance? How long are you willing to play without withdrawing your bankroll?
All of these questions should be sincerely answered because the answer to each question will impact a good game selection category.
A tournament player who is willing to sacrifice some profitability to decrease variance should prioritise smaller field tournaments. A player who wants the highest profitability possible and doesn't mind spending months without cashing out must play big field tournaments.
Understanding your goals will help you choose the best games for you.
How Often Can You Play?
Your game selection will partially be determined by the amount of time you have to play poker. If you can only play one to two hours a day, you should probably be looking to play BLAST sit-and-go's or cash games as your main game.
If you have more hours available, you can play tournaments. It's very important to have enough time to dedicate and focus on the game you choose to play.
Is Your Bankroll Big Enough?
The size of your bankroll is also a big piece of the game selection puzzle. Not only because poker is a long-term game with a lot of variance but a lot of players can't make the best decisions if they feel any kind of money pressure. Especially if a single play has a big impact on your life.
If you don't feel comfortable going all-in in the late stages of tournaments or bluffing in cash games, even though you know, it's the best play in this scenario. You probably shouldn't be playing this game.
Seek Advice
Nowadays, most people have access to a professional poker player they know and respect. This player probably has had or still has some difficulties regarding game selection.
That's an excellent person for you to ask specific questions about your own game selection strategy.
Even after playing professionally for over five years, Montavani hired a professional to build his MTT schedules, and this decision has had a "massive impact" on his career and results.
As much as we think we know what's best for us, getting an outside perspective can be extremely helpful.
Know How to Adapt
Both in poker and in life, adaptation is a very important thing for our prosperity and survival. Before taking your seat, take a moment to confirm that this is the right game for you to be playing in. If the games you have been playing in lately have been very difficult, too expensive or have been causing you any kind of discomfort, there are a lot of options that may be better suited for your bankroll or technical level.
The opposite is also true if the games you have been playing don't challenge you, are too easy, cheap or boring. You can pick games that are more connected to your reality.
