Setting goals is an integral part of any poker journey. Without having specific goals to strive for, it would be tough to measure your progress and know when you have reached success. While everyone’s goals will differ, some general guidelines can help you set practical goals for your poker career.
Study The Game First
One of the most common mistakes that beginning poker players make is diving into the game without taking the time to learn all the ins and outs first. While it is possible to come up with goals without knowing all strategies, poker hands, and rules, it would be easier if you studied before setting them.
Since you’re new, your first goal should be to learn as much about the game as possible. Spend time reading books and articles on strategy, watching training videos, and talking to more experienced players to get their insights. The better you understand the game, the more wisdom you’ll have on what to work on.
Start Small Goals
Trying to accomplish too much at once is a recipe for disaster and will likely lead to discouragement. Choose one or two specific areas you want to focus on and set goals accordingly. For example, if you wish to improve your hand selection, set a goal to only play premium hands for a certain period. Or, if you’re working on your bluffing game, try to bluff more often in specific situations.
As you start seeing results from your efforts, you can begin setting bigger goals. Remember to focus on quality over quantity; making small and incremental improvements is better than trying to accomplish too much at once.
Set Reasonable Goals
It’s essential to set goals that are challenging but also achievable. Once you achieve your small goals, you will quickly become bored and unmotivated. On the other hand, if your goals are too hard, you will likely become frustrated and give up. The best way to find a happy medium is to set goals that are slightly out of your comfort zone but still within the realm of possibility.
Set A Realistic Timeframe
Have realistic timeframes and set deadlines to track your progress and stay motivated. However, setting unrealistic deadlines can only lead to frustration. Since you’re a beginner, it’s probably not feasible to expect to be a professional player with the best poker hands within 6 months. A more reasonable goal might be to achieve a certain level of proficiency within 2-3 years.
Think About Your Motivation
It’s also essential to think about your motivation for wanting to achieve your goals. A clear understanding of why you are pursuing poker will help you stay focused when the going gets tough. Whether your goal is to make some extra money, have fun, or become a professional player, make sure your motivation is clear in your mind.
Be Specific
Vague goals like “I want to be a better poker player” are not very helpful because measuring progress for it is difficult. Instead, try to set specific targets like “I want to be able to beat my friends in home games” or “I want to make $500 profit in online poker this month”.
Use The Right Metrics
For example, if your goal is to improve your tournament results, you could measure this by tracking how much cash or final tables you make in a month. Alternatively, if your goal is to improve your cash game results, you could measure this by tracking your winnings over a certain period.
Set Short-Term and Long-Term Goals
It can be helpful to set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals can keep you motivated daily, while long-term goals can give you something to strive for in the future. For example, a short-term goal might be to study poker odds and other mechanics for 2 hours every day, while a long-term goal might be to become a professional player within 5 years.
Create A Poker Schedule
One of the most important things you can do to reach your poker goals is to develop a consistent schedule. When you’re new, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of playing and want to sit at the tables all day. However, this is not a sustainable way to approach poker long-term.
Set aside a certain amount of time each day (or week) that you will dedicate to playing and studying poker card hands and other related things. It will help you stay focused and avoid burnout. In addition, having a schedule will make it easier to track your progress and see how far you’ve come.
Make A Plan
Once you’ve set your goals and developed a schedule, plan how you will achieve them. This plan should include what you’re going to study, how much time you will spend playing, and your goals for each session.
Making a plan is vital because it will help you stay organized and on track. Additionally, it’s much easier to achieve your goals when you have a specific plan to follow. However, don’t be afraid to change it if you find that it’s not working for you.
Review Your Goals Regularly
As your poker journey progresses, your goals will likely change and evolve. What might have seemed like a good goal at the beginning might no longer make sense further down the road. By reviewing your goals regularly, you can make sure they are always aligned with your current situation.
Make Your Poker Journey Goal-Oriented
Poker is a great game that can provide challenge, excitement, and rewards. However, it’s important to set realistic goals so that you can stay focused and motivated. By following the tips above, you can develop a plan for achieving your poker goals. Good luck!
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