At the World Series of Pokers’ Main Event in 2003, Chris Moneymaker, a middle-aged accountant from Nashville, turned $40 into $2.5 million.
Since then, the popularity of poker has soared, as eager individuals the world over hope to win life-changing riches and fame, just like Chris.
For a player to perform their very best in poker. Passion and dedication to the game are essential, as is the willingness to use the ten tips below.
1 – Practise makes perfect
This may seem obvious, but the more you play, the more your game will improve. Of course, there is risk involved with poker, so it’s a good idea to play for free for a while, unless you’re feeling ultra-confident.
2 – Post-Game Reflection
Whether a player wins or loses, reflecting on what happened throughout the game will help individuals figure out what did and didn’t work in the game.
Whether identifying the point where a player started to tilt or realizing they were seated in the late position. Which means they had the luxury of taking more adventurous moves than other players.
Post-game reflection gives players the chance to prevent future mistakes from reoccurring.
3 – Selective Reading, Watching, and Listening
It’s wise to be selective about what poker material players read, watch, and learn.
There’s a lot of poker-centred forums, blogs, and books out there. But just because the author claims they are a poker expert and have each poker player’s interests at heart, it doesn’t mean they necessarily do.
As such, looking at reviews and researching the author will ensure poker enthusiasts choose educational resources that are worthwhile; to expand their knowledge about the game and improve their skills.
4 – Reason Each Move
Author Maria Konnikova reveals in her book ‘The Biggest Bluff’ rational decision-making on every move in poker is essential for a player to perform at their best.
Whether a player chooses to check, bet, fold, call or raise, reasoning must justify their move.
For example, a player may choose to fold based on the low value of their cards and their position to the left of the button, which gives them little scope to see what the other players’ turns will hold.
Logically defining a move prevents the player from making irrational decisions during the game.
5 – Prioritize Sleep
Despite its health-boosting, stress-busting benefits, a good night’s rest is heavily underrated by most.
Even though adequate sleep each night allows individuals to replenish their energy. Meaning players can sustain prolonged periods of analytical thinking, which is, of course, essential during a poker game.
Poker players committed to playing their best in tournaments should aim to achieve at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
6 – Assess Diet
What poker players eat on the run-up to the game will also help determine their performance during the event.
A heavy meal, such as a burger and shake before a poker game, will inevitably set a player up to feel lethargic during the game. In turn, diminishing their ability to reason their next move and keep tabs on other players’ actions.
As a tip, swapping large plates of processed food for smaller, regular meals packed with nutrients. Will ensure poker players have the energy to remain alert throughout the game.
7 – Practice Relaxation Techniques
Being relaxed yet focused on the game is more complicated than a player might think. After all, there’s a lot for poker players to consider in-game.
To prevent stress, frustration, and even confusion from taking over a player’s ability to make rational decisions. Using the below relaxation techniques can help individuals keep a cool, calm head throughout the game.
Take Deep Breaths: During a game, when nerves strike, and the heart starts racing. Take a few long, deep breaths. A flurry of oxygen to the brain will enable players to think more clearly while slowing down a racing heart.
Detach Emotions: It’s easy to get emotional in poker. However, to be an excellent player, it’s wise for poker fanatics to learn to be, as much as possible, emotionless to ensure they play in a controlled manner.
Poker players can draw inspiration from emotionless characters such as Sherlock Holmes or Sheldon cooper. Each character takes action to meet a defined purpose without being swayed by emotions or the outcome.
Of course, this is easier said than done. But it’s undoubtedly worth practising to help players keep calm during their poker games.
8 – Find a Mentor
The world of poker is complex. Moreover, it’s often challenging for players to evaluate what they are doing right or wrong in their poker games.
However, a poker coach can offer valuable insight, advice, and support to keep potential poker star hopefuls on track to success.
9 – No Alcohol
Whether a few vodka shots, a whiskey on the rocks, or a signature cocktail, alcohol consumption impairs a poker players’ ability to make intelligent decisions.
As such, it’s essential for players who like a drink to think about cutting out alcohol before and during their next game.
10 – Visit the Restroom
It may seem insignificant but taking a quick toilet break before a poker match can ensure players are both comfortable and focused during a competition.
11 – Picking a Poker Game
This step involves players being mindful of the experience and status of the players who will be attending a poker game or tournament.
For example, sitting with professional poker players who have an unlimited bankroll will only leave newbie poker players with destroyed egos and empty pockets.
If you can’t spot the sucker in your first half-hour at the table, then you are the sucker. – Rounders (1998)
There are multiple things poker players can do to play their very best in a game.
From hiring a mentor to enrolling in poker courses. While also taking care of their physical and mental wellbeing.
Every positive change will take players one step close to reaching their full potential of becoming the best poker player they can be.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
