Inside the Minds of Poker’s Online Elite: A Study in Success

Dedication Meets Discipline

One of the first factors the study highlighted was how successful players coped with behavioral dependence, a trait mostly associated with disordered gambling. To no one’s surprise, elite players also devote extraordinary amounts of time to poker, sometimes losing track of days entirely.

“We argued about whether it was Thursday or Saturday—it turned out to be Monday,” one participant shared. And yet, unlike disordered gamblers, this intense engagement doesn’t result in financial or personal harm. 

Thinking in Terms of Value, Not Luck

Another factor that came up as relevant turned out to be players’ reliance on expected value (EV), a statistical concept that evaluates the long-term profitability of certain decisions. Unlike disordered gamblers who tend to rely on luck, successful players assess every move based on its potential return over time.

As it turns out, this mindset is crucial to have in online poker since thousands of hands are played in rapid succession. During the game, decisions have to be driven by data and logic, not emotions or superstition. As one participant put it, “Most people make mistakes in life because they don’t calculate expected value.”

Impulse Control

Players are well aware that online poker never sleeps, meaning they often run the risk of falling into impulsive behaviors. And yet, the majority of interviewed players showed exceptional self-control. Many even said they spend up to 50% of their poker-related time analyzing past hands and figuring out new approaches.

Even so, some players admitted to struggling with impulsivity during their careers. Whether it was overextending in high-stakes games or experimenting with unfamiliar formats, these lapses were often addressed through self-regulation or professional intervention. Managing “tilt” — the frustration from losses that can lead to reckless decisions — was cited as a critical skill for sustaining success.

Specialization Means Staying in Your Lane

Probably one of the most striking findings out of all of this was the players’ focus on specific poker formats. Rather than dabbling in multiple styles, successful players specialize in areas where they can maximize their edge, such as Texas Hold’em or high-stakes cash games.

The principle of “staying in your lain” remained even outside online poker. Most of the interviews players avoided games like blackjack or roulette altogether. Instead, they stuck to calculated investments, such as index funds or cryptocurrencies, something within their skillset .

The Importance of Online Communities

Another somewhat unexpected factor were online communities. While most players would tell you that online poker is a solitary pursuit, the study revealed the importance of creating small, tight-knit networks.

These groups, which were often formed through poker chats or forums, gave players things like strategic insights, emotional support, and even financial backing for high-stakes games. They were also a type of safeguard against the loneliness that often comes hand-in-hand with online play.

Adapting to the Online Game

Poker is constantly evolving, especially on the online felt. Strategies that worked to a fault just a year ago are probably obsolete by now. So, how do the elite players deal with this? According to the study, they rely on something called active open-minded thinking, a cognitive style that prioritizes adaptability and continuous learning. It’s part of the reason these players manage to stay ahead in a highly competitive environment.

One participant worded it perfectly: “The ability to admit I’m wrong and change my views has been the most important factor in my success.”

Some Implications and the Future of Poker

So, now that we know at least a part of what sets elite online poker players apart, the next logical question is — what can we do with this information? At least for gambling research, it means rethinking how we define problem gambling. Tools like the PGSI could benefit from focusing more on harm rather than simply labeling dependence, helping to distinguish skilled players from those at risk.

For poker platforms, this data could shape features that encourage healthier play, like EV calculators or reminders to step away from the screen. And for players, the message is clear: success isn’t about luck — it’s about discipline, adaptability, and community.