Psychology The Mental Game Of Poker URL has been copied successfully! Poker is not a sport but a competition of mental fortitude, endurance, and perseverance. I’ve never considered myself an intellectual. I did okay in school, dropped out of college to pursue poker, and generally stay out of the loop when it comes to world events. Everyone is wired differently; some people pick up poker and are naturally gifted. That was never me. This is where mental fortitude comes into play. Mental Fortitude Mental fortitude is defined as “the psychological strength and resilience to withstand and overcome adversity, challenges, and setbacks.” This is where I’d say 90% of players quit poker—or at least give up to the extent that they cannot become professional. It takes a borderline obsessive person to lose money, return to the table, lose again, and repeat the cycle. However, if you are fiercely competitive and willing to learn from each mistake, I truly believe anyone can become a winning poker player. I have coached hundreds of poker players, from the lowest to the highest stakes. Some of my students have surpassed my own skill level. The common thread among successful players is their ability to listen, learn, and improve. On the other hand, those I’ve had tough conversations with—or those who eventually gave up—were the ones who made excuses for their actions and refused to accept feedback on obvious blunders. Life presents many hurdles that can affect your poker game: a rough breakup, financial struggles, or long losing streaks, to name a few. I’d be lying if I said I’ve never faced these issues. I’ve gone broke several times, endured painful breakups, suffered extended losing streaks, and faced numerous challenges in my career. Yet, I continue to study, grind, and play at what I believe is a very high level. This leads us to endurance. Endurance Endurance is “the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.” Endurance is tricky because most players don’t fully grasp its importance. No matter how skilled you are, fatigue will set in. If you play 24/7, you’re doomed from the start. I’ve met countless regulars who either burn out to the point of losing consistently or lack the discipline to book a win or a loss and call it a night. Knowing when to stop is one of my greatest strengths, but it’s a skill that requires training and experience—it’s not something that comes naturally. New players, eager to play endlessly, often fall into this trap. I was once that person. Over time, you must learn to recognize when you’re playing poorly, acting out of desperation, or seeing red. These are issues that even many professionals still struggle with, to be honest. Perseverance Lastly, let’s discuss perseverance: “perseverance is doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” While it coexists with mental fortitude, perseverance is distinct in some ways. In poker, you need to be stubborn—but in a constructive way. You must take lemons and make lemonade. You need the resilience to stomach four, five, six, or even seven-figure swings, depending on your stakes, without abandoning your pursuit of becoming a professional. Poker is not for the faint-hearted or those who give up easily. It’s for those willing to learn, grind, study, and repeat. Can everyone do this? Absolutely not. For many reading this, there’s a good chance poker isn’t for you. But if you understand the risks, commit to being a student of the game, and are relentless in your pursuit of becoming a professional, I believe in you—and I hope you believe in yourself. Now go create your own luck! Rob Kuhn The Ohio native started playing poker in the 7th grade, dabbling in $5 home games. After turning 18, he dropped some cash onto the virtual felt and the rest is history.