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.
TORONTO – Singles star Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski will anchor Canada’s five-player lineup when the team tries to defend its Billie Jean King Cup title in mid-November.
The 26th-ranked Fernandez, the 2021 U.S. Open finalist from Laval, Que., is the lone Canadian in the top 100 of the WTA Tour’s singles rankings.
Dabrowski, from Ottawa, is ranked fourth on the doubles list. The 2023 U.S. Open women’s doubles champion won mixed doubles bronze with Felix Auger-Aliassime at the recent Paris Olympics.
Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., returns after a breakout performance last year, capped by her singles win in Canada’s 2-0 victory over Italy in the final. Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino is also back and Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., returns to the squad for the first time since 2022.
“Winning the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023 was a dream come true for us, and not only that, but I feel like we made a statement to the world about the strength of this nation when it comes to tennis,” Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh said Monday in a release. “Once again, we have a very strong team this year with Bianca joining Leylah, Gaby, Rebecca and Marina, making it an extremely powerful team that is more than capable of going all the way.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to make Canada proud, and we’ll do our best to bring the same level of effort and excitement that we had in last year’s finals.”
Fernandez, who beat Jasmine Paolini to clinch Canada’s first-ever title at the competition, is ranked No. 42 in doubles.
Canada, which received an automatic berth as defending champion, will play the winner of the first-round tie between Great Britain and Germany on Nov. 17 at Malaga’s Martin Carpena Arena.
Australia, Italy and wild-card entry Czechia also received first-round byes. The tournament, which continues through Nov. 20, also includes host Spain, Slovakia, the United States, Poland, Japan and Romania.
Stakusic is up 27 spots to No. 128 in the latest world singles rankings. Marino is at No. 134 and Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, is ranked 167th.
Canada will look to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to successfully defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
Malaga will also host the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Final 8. The Canadian men qualified over the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Great Britain in Manchester.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby plans to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin for at least three more years.
The Penguins announced on Monday that they re-signed the 37-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., to a two-year contract extension that has an average annual value of US$8.7 million. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season.
Crosby was eligible to sign an extension on July 1 with him entering the final season of a 12-year, $104.4-million deal that carries an $8.7-million salary cap hit.
At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas last Monday, he said things were positive and he was optimistic about a deal getting done.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is coming off a 42-goal, 94-point campaign that saw him finish tied for 12th in the league scoring race.
Crosby has spent all 19 of his NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, amassing 592 goals and 1,004 assists in 1,272 career games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
