Are You a “Good” Poker Player or a “Winning” Poker Player?

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Most people assume a “good” poker player is a “winning” poker player and vice versa.

I don’t think this is right, but differentiating between them is a bit tricky – maybe more than you think.

A “winning” player is one who, over enough time and a sufficient number of hands for the data to be statistically reliable, takes more money off the table than he puts on it.

“Good” is trickier. You can be a good player without being a winning player. I know, that feels a little weird. It isn’t.

How to Be a Good Poker Player

A couple of weeks back I did a little pop psychology riff on Zen. We mused on the affective elements of the game, looking for ways to maintain emotional equilibrium no matter what was happening.

In essence, we were looking at ways to become a “good” player. If this also made you into a “winning” player, that would be cool, but it’s not necessary and certainly not guaranteed.

Indeed, figuring out what makes a “good” player isn’t straightforward. For starters, good poker players have fun, and they’d better – because they’re almost certainly going to lose.

Very few come out ahead over the long haul, due to differing skill levels and/or the house rake, the “vig.” Many (most?) players don’t quite grasp the role the vig plays in low-stakes games where the vast majority of players are found.

In a $2/$4 limit game, the typical maximum rake is from a reasonable $3 to a crushing $5, and I’ve seen $6! Add the dealer’s tip and the bad beat jackpot takeout that players have a preternatural (and unfortunate) affection for, and up to 2BBs get sliced out of each sizable pot.

This rake is essentially impossible to overcome. So, while it’d be nice to be a winning player, the truth is that most of you won’t be. So don’t sweat it.

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Good Poker Players Think About the Game

Poker is, at heart, a form of recreation. Recreation costs money. Movies cost, tickets to a hockey game cost, a dinner out costs.

We are all perfectly content to “lose” money in our preferred forms of recreation and “good” poker players view the game in just this way.

Good players also think about the game, how they’re playing, how others are playing. They read, talk with friends and contribute to the dozens of Internet chat rooms and discussion groups.

If you’re not already active in one of these groups, join in. You’ll find an astonishing array of smart, engaging people – and, of course, the occasional flame-thrower.

Just ignore them. Good players treat poker like a hobby, where you keep learning and look to improve.

Good players also work to diminish variance. There’s a natural fluctuation to the game, and everyone is going to have ups and downs, but the game is far easier to enjoy when the swings are modulated.

Lowering variance also makes it easier to play your best game more of the time. Few things derail the average player more than a huge hit to their bankroll.

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Poker is More Complex Than Chess

One aspect of the game that gets lost in a lot of these discussions is that poker is likely the most complex competitive game routinely played. 

It is more complex, has more interwoven strategic levels and is tougher to master than any of the other supposedly intricate games like bridge and chess.

You chess mavens out there can scream all you want, but if you understand both games at anything close to a deep level, you know what I’m talking about.

Can You Win at Poker Without Being Good?

OK; now you see how you can be a “good” player without being a “winning” player. Can you be a “winning” player but not be a “good” player?

Absolutely. There won’t be many of this breed, but they are out there.

My guess – since I’ve got no data here I’m running on my own fumes – is that there are at least three kinds of winning players who are not particularly good players.

First, there are the highly aggressive players with little regard for money, ones who view the game as a deadly competition, or a parade ground for their egos.

These guys (and they are almost always men) can be long-term winners from a strictly cash point of view but not be good players in anything like the descriptions above.

Their visits to tiltville will undercut their game. The stress that comes with approaching each session with such a highly tuned competitiveness will eventually take its toll.

And, most critically, the high variability that a playing style like this carries with it will mean that this type of player will often not be playing his A-game.

Most of these “action junkies” won’t be winning players 10 years down the road unless they make serious adjustments.

Then there are the unmovable rocks, the tightest of the tight. Their style will ultimately yield a positive EV so, by definition, they are “winning” players.

But they will not be “good” players. They are often skinflints who play every day looking to grind out a couple of bucks for lunch, the car payment, rent. They’re not having fun, and don’t enjoy themselves – when they play poker, they are essentially going to work.

They have no A-game, because they are so protective of their bankrolls that they stay at B level. That’s OK for them, but I wouldn’t want to spend my life this way.

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Lastly, There’s Me

Lastly, there are folks like me. I’m a long-term positive EV guy. I know this because I keep records and am brutally honest with myself. But I don’t think I am a good player. In fact, I am a better poker writer than a poker player.

I have too many brain farts, moments where I flatline and do something mind-bendingly stupid. When these mental lacunae happen they undo hours and hours of “good” play. Worse, I get really, really ticked at myself and end up howling at the moon like a wolf who’s lost his kill.

In these moments I do not have fun and so, by my definition, I am not a “good” player.

Structured Study and Self-Awareness

Experienced players benefit from a defined approach to study. Some integrate modern tools like solver-based training or range analyzers, reviewing individual hands after a session. Others focus on mental preparation, employing techniques that minimize anxiety and keep them in sync with their strategic plan.

At the table, self-awareness remains vital. A strong sense of when you’re deviating from your game plan can save you from sliding into tilt. This includes acknowledging the early signs of mental fatigue and being honest about your emotional state. By keeping detailed session notes and regularly reviewing them, you can see patterns of play that support or undermine both your enjoyment and bottom line.

Balancing Exploitative and Equilibrium Play

At professional levels, players are often torn between exploitative strategies and equilibrium-based (GTO) approaches. A purely exploitative style can generate immediate returns against weaker opponents, but it risks large losses when facing stronger, observant foes. Conversely, a strict GTO strategy might reduce your exploitative edge, though it can provide a more stable foundation.

Finding a balance means knowing your player pool and adjusting on the fly. You might lean toward an exploitative approach in a soft live game while embracing a more balanced strategy in tougher online matches. Practicing these shifting styles allows you to be both profitable and intellectually engaged, which supports the blend of “good” and “winning” that many professionals seek.

FAQ

What is a “good” poker player?

A “good” poker player is someone who enjoys the game, maintains emotional balance, and continually learns. While this type of player might not always finish ahead financially, he or she treats poker as a fulfilling activity and strives to improve in areas like variance control, study habits, and bankroll management.

How can you be a good player without being a winner?

You can be a good player by appreciating poker as a form of recreation, focusing on skill development, and respecting both your opponents and the game’s complexity. This mindset emphasizes learning and enjoyment rather than bottom-line profit.

What leads some players to be winning without necessarily being good?

Some winning players rely on highly aggressive styles or extremely tight play, generating a profit while neglecting the recreational and balanced mindset. Others have fundamental leaks but still show a net gain over time due to favorable conditions or exploiting weaker opponents.

Why is poker more complex than other strategy games?

Poker’s hidden information, the interplay of probability, psychology, and game theory, and the wide variety of strategic adjustments required make it more complex than games like chess or bridge, which involve complete information or more limited forms of hidden data.

How do GTO principles fit into the concept of being both good and winning?

Game-theoretical optimal strategies aim to minimize exploitable patterns while maximizing profitability in challenging environments. Integrating GTO concepts can make you a more balanced player, allowing you to enjoy the intellectual challenge while also improving long-term earnings potential.

What are ways to manage variance and protect your mindset?

Focusing on consistent bet sizing, table selection, and a willingness to step down in stakes can help moderate bankroll swings. Being mindful of tilt, mental fatigue, and emotional triggers preserves your enjoyment of the game and supports sustainable winnings.

How can structured study elevate your game without losing the recreational aspect?

By reviewing hand histories and employing advanced tools sparingly but consistently, players can sharpen their technical skills without turning poker into a chore. Session reviews, note-taking, and discussions with peers allow you to maintain a fresh perspective while steadily improving.

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