How To Be A (Good) Poker Loser

I recently heard Phil Ivey say something that caught my ear. Speaking on the Joey Ingram Podcast, Ivey said that not everyone is going to win in poker, and that’s ok. Although we know this logically since poker is a zero sum game—for every winner there has to be a loser (or many losers if we’re talking about tournaments)—but very few people are willing to acknowledge that they are that “loser” and even fewer optimize for that reality.

But what does being a good poker loser look like, and if that’s you, how can you ensure you do it the right way? Here are three tips from Ivey for non-poker professionals.

Play Within Your Means

According to Ivey, as a recreational player you want to be able to play consistently and not put too much at risk. This means playing in games and limits that are within your means. Because while it may be fun to hop into big games and splash around in tournaments with monster prize pools, if having a bad run at those limits is going to put your entire bankroll at risk and knock you out of the game completely, that’s not an approach that will work out in your favor very often.

Instead, find cash games and tournaments that fit both your bankroll size and skill level, and make the goal longevity in the game. Fortunately, these days you don’t need to spend a lot to make a lot, especially in tournament poker. Every day, for example, ACR Poker hosts dozens of tournaments with $1-$20 buy-ins with significant payouts that will allow you to not just keep your bankroll safe, but constantly give you the opportunity to hit a big score that will let you level up. So, take Ivey’s advice and stick with games that you can afford to play in the long term.

Treat Poker Like A Hobby

Ivey discussed the fact that for most people, poker is nothing more than a hobby, the same as golf, bowling, or shopping. And just like you wouldn’t go out to the driving range expecting to make a bunch of money, the same can be true with poker. Ivey advises that recreational players put a specific amount of money aside each month into their poker bankroll and view it the same way as their shopping budget. Although you may one day turn poker into a profitable hobby, that isn’t necessarily a requirement for enjoying the game.

Speaking of which…

Make Poker Feel Good Again

When asked how he chooses what games to play in, Ivey explained that: “my approach to playing poker is if it feels good, I do it.” This is incredibly insightful advice that every recreational player ought to take to heart.

Poker, at its core, is meant to be fun. If you’re not enjoying it, or are constantly feeling stressed out and tilted, what’s the point? Until you have proven to yourself that poker can replace your primary income, choose games and events that excite you. Whether that’s a low stakes PLO tournament or a poker vacation where drinks on the beach are as important as the late-night cash games, the focus should be on maximizing your enjoyment of everything the game has to offer.

This also means recognizing when it’s time to take a break. If a session feels like a chore or the losses are starting to sting more than they should, that’s a good sign to step away from the table until you can get back to enjoying the game.

According to Ivey, if you can do those three things: play within your means, treat poker like a hobby, and continuously enjoy the game, you’re likely to find that being a poker “loser” doesn’t feel like losing at all.

And if that philosophy is good enough for the GOAT, it’s good enough for me!