Grit & the Grind: How Great Poker Players Get Great

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: January 11, 2025

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Jonah Lehrer is an interesting guy, an Ivy graduate and a respected journalist.

He’s got a deep interest in psychology as well as poker, and that makes some of the things he’s written about very relevant to this space here.

In a recent piece in the Boston Globe, he extols the virtue of grit and perseverance in the struggle for success.

He notes, correctly, that popular tales about how greats like Newton made scientific breakthroughs are myths.

The Poker World Has Its Myths

The notion that Newton discovered gravity when an apple bonked him on the head is just plain wrong, as is the one about Darwin discovering natural selection when he encountered various finches in the Galapagos.

These scientific urban myths don’t just mislead – they distort the very essence of how true, deep, understanding is achieved. Newton and Darwin were both brilliant. But so were many of their contemporaries.

The key is that both were intensely focused on their work. They spent years – in Darwin’s case 20 – sifting data, pouring over models, reading, absorbing ideas, pushing the envelope of understanding.

In the poker world, we too have our myths. We believe that some just have a natural affinity for the game and can pick it up on the fly.

A couple of dozen hours at the felt and, bingo, they become solid, winning players.

If you think that Darwin just took a cruise around the world and got hit in the head with a really cool idea, you might also think that Phil Ivey got where he is because of some magical talent.

Or that the young Internet stars popping out of their bedrooms with million-dollar bankrolls are just cool guys with a flair for playing risky games.

Example:

Imagine you’re in a small-stakes online tournament. You’ve taken down a few pots early with A K and J 10 , but then you run into a hyper-aggressive opponent who applies constant pressure. The myth is that a “naturally gifted” player can instantly decode every bluff or trap. In reality, it takes methodical note-taking, hand review, and careful analysis to uncover this opponent’s strategy. Over time, you pick up patterns and make adjustments, demonstrating that real skill doesn’t materialize out of thin air.

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Ability + Zeal + Hard Work

Lehrer quotes, approvingly, a line from Sir Francis Galton (who, interestingly, was a psychologist before there was a psychology as well as Charles Darwin’s first cousin) to the effect that high levels of achievement depend on “ability combined with zeal and the capacity for hard labour.”

And herein is the lesson for today.

I’m a recreational player. I put in a couple of hours a week either flipping chips at my local card room or zinging electrons around the world at virtual tables.

I read a lot and I think a good bit about the game and how I play it. But I’m a dilettante and I know it.

But I have friends, good friends, who are serious and successful pros. And I am astonished at the efforts they make, the time they put in, the intensity they bring to the game.

They don’t just read books and articles. They play astronomical numbers of hands, keep records, make notes, rehash hands, review sessions, carry out intellectual autopsies on tournaments.

They go back over these data and rethink things. They deliberately try out different strategic moves and clock how those sessions went.

They spend endless hours with friends of like minds and similar skills going over all of this stuff. The best are also brutally honest with themselves. Just like a good scientist, they know the data do not lie.

Lehrer spent a week exploring these issues with many top pros at the WSOP and, as he told me, “It was pretty clear.

These players succeed, not because of any special ‘talent,’ but because they have found something that they love so much that it doesn’t feel like a job.

“They need to do this. They are putting in literally thousands upon thousands of hours of focused, concentrated study.”

Example:

Consider a seasoned professional studying a tough spot in a No-Limit Hold’em cash game. They run simulations on a range of possible flops with Q Q versus a 3-bet from the button. After dozens of database reviews, they notice a pattern of over-folding on certain boards. By deliberately testing new strategies, they slowly correct this leak. This granular, data-driven approach is where grit and perseverance shine, more than any single flash of natural talent.

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Formula for Poker Success is Hard Work

The successful young poker pros, those rising to the top, are getting there for old and honored reasons. Sure, they’ve got some natural talent; they’re smart, not particularly risk-averse and have a natural (or quickly learn) emotional stability.

But these qualities alone won’t do it. It’ll just make them smart, easy-going players who make a couple of bucks at the game.

As Lehrer put it, “What they’ve got to have to become among the best is good old-fashioned grit. They’ve got to be focused, motivated and have a deep desire to get better, to succeed, to become truly great at what they do.”

Lehrer also notes that success and IQ are only weakly correlated. IQ isn’t the same thing as intelligence and who succeeds at life’s games is more tightly linked with factors like perseverance, grit and sweat.

One of the most intelligent people I’ve known was a professional racehorse handicapper. Not many people can make a living doing this. He did.

We were friends for nearly 25 years. He told me that when he took the Army IQ tests he scored a shade below average. Fascinating.

And, for what it’s worth, I suspect that many of the better poker pros might easily have (or may yet) become artists, writers, businessmen.

The formula for making it is pretty much the same for all.

Deepening Your Poker Grit

Poker success rests on a blend of focus, knowledge, and determination. While the original text emphasizes how crucial grit is, it can be taken even further by incorporating modern processes into your routine. Some players call it an endless loop of learning: you study theory, gather data, analyze performance, and circle back with new insights. This cyclical approach strengthens your decision-making on every street and in every position.

It’s important to cultivate a method for steady improvement, whether you use advanced software tools or do your own manual analysis. Consistent post-session reviews, reference to up-to-date theories, and exploring complex scenarios all keep your approach fresh. In this way, you elevate your overall game by ensuring your grit is guided by the latest thinking in poker.

Integrating Hand History Analysis with Modern Strategy

A thorough hand history review is one of the most straightforward methods to upgrade your game. It is not enough to rely on vague recollections of what went wrong. Today’s more experienced pros use hand replayer software to visualize each detail. They look at positions, bet sizing, board textures, and stack depths, aiming to spot areas where they might deviate too much from established strategic baselines.

Players who embrace a balanced style keep an eye on how they range opponents, checking if their calls or raises align with a well-rounded approach. Some even simulate hands using advanced tools for deeper analysis of EV (expected value). This process reveals subtle leaks you might otherwise overlook.

Maintaining Focus During Long Sessions

Focus can slip during marathon sessions or after a run of bad beats. Even the most intense training regimen cannot prepare you for every variable in a real game. To maintain your edge, it helps to set clear in-session goals, such as reminding yourself to defend your blinds against frequent steals or to be mindful of bet sizing tells from certain opponents.

The ability to remain calm and disciplined despite fatigue or tilt is what separates winning professionals from the rest. By combining a well-structured study schedule with mental endurance, you create a game plan that can handle the adversity every poker player faces.

FAQ

What is grit in poker?

Grit in poker is the unwavering combination of perseverance, passion, and disciplined effort at the tables. It reflects a willingness to study intensively, play through difficult stretches, and continue refining your game no matter how challenging the competition becomes.

Why do myths about instant poker talent persist?

Myths about instant talent linger because they fit a neat narrative that disregards the thousands of hours players spend on practice, data analysis, and self-reflection. The stories of someone quickly mastering poker are rarely backed by the full truth of how much work went into developing that skill.

How did Jonah Lehrer’s perspective on psychology and poker shape the article’s theme?

Lehrer’s interest in psychology and his conversations with top pros underscored that poker success relies on focused, continuous study rather than innate genius. His observations highlight that skill evolves through systematic effort.

Why are IQ and winning at poker only weakly correlated?

IQ measures certain types of cognitive ability, but real success at the poker table demands additional qualities like grit, adaptability, and emotional control. This blend of traits goes beyond what an IQ score can capture, giving a hardworking student of the game a strong edge over someone relying only on intellectual aptitude.

How can modern study techniques reinforce long-term success?

Modern study techniques like hand history analysis, simulation tools, and thorough post-session reviews bring clarity to tough spots and correct persistent leaks. They build on the framework of intense dedication, ensuring you can adapt effectively to changes in the game.

What role does focus play during long poker sessions?

Even the most knowledgeable player can suffer if focus wanes. Maintaining concentration, tracking opponents’ betting patterns, and preserving emotional balance in extended sessions all bolster your edge and separate you from less disciplined opponents.

Can a beginner develop grit as effectively as an experienced player?

A new player can begin cultivating grit by adopting structured study habits and seeking feedback from more advanced players. While experience naturally enhances your understanding, the foundation of grit is a choice to work hard and stay dedicated, regardless of how many hands you’ve played.

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