How to define a professional poker player

At the same time, anyone can identify a professional by the traits that distinguish a poker player from ordinary people.

Professional players perceive life problems like experienced psychotherapists. Poker players see not the difficulties that arise before them, but the tasks that need to be solved. And to solve them as efficiently as possible, and ideally — with the help of the right strategy and beautiful combinations. This same mindset applies whether you're at a high-stakes tournament or just taking a break at Lollyspins, where strategic thinking can also lead to quick wins and smart entertainment.

A problem is just a combination of bad cards at a particular moment in time. It can be solved by choosing the most successful one out of several variants. If, suddenly, the problem is unsolvable, there are ways to adapt to it and maximise the benefits.

Poker players often discuss women using concise and precise professional terms. This peculiarity helps to form an image in their mind of a balanced, intelligent girl with whom you can build a long-term and healthy relationship.

Girls should remember that they will be tested in every possible way:

● ‘bluff’ (well, everything is clear here);

● ‘skid,’ that is, with money;

● ‘downstick’ - austerity mode and other options that are provided in the game.

Some people will find it cruel and cynical towards the applicants for the role of girlfriend of life, but in this way poker players insure themselves in case of unpleasant surprises in the future family life. A player, starting a relationship, prepares for a long and interesting game, in which either he alone, or he and his beloved must win.

Outside the game, a professional devotes a lot of time to sports activities, because a strong player is an endurance player. So of course a sedentary lifestyle undermines health.

Most players' income allows them to keep a close eye on their health, visit the best clinics for health treatments and have a good personal trainer.

A player is excellent at clearly separating rest and work. If you work, then concentrate 100%, to persistently achieve victory. Well, if it's time to rest, then do it on the best and most importantly healthy programme.

Since a significant part of a professional's life is spent at the gaming table, there is little time for idle pastime. This means that the circle of unnecessary connections is narrowed: ‘friends’ - envious, windy ‘battle girlfriends’, all kinds of freeloaders and lackeys disappear. There remain one or two people with whom poker players can relax and not put on masks.

Poker teaches to understand and distinguish well - to ‘read’ people. Physiognomy, behaviourism, body language, psychology - all this knowledge is a tool in the game of an experienced poker player.

A professional player invests in himself. In essence, playing poker is a short-term monetary investment. But to become a successful investor you need to be objective about yourself, what is going on around you and the opportunities available. Every mistake can be costly, so objectivity is one of the most important traits of a real poker player.

Unlike gamblers and addicts, a professional poker player analyses his financial situation and continues to live within his means. Even when he wins a large sum. Large winnings are perceived as an opportunity to study the investment market even deeper.

Poker players' money works and is never completely squandered. Bankroll management - managing and controlling one's financial health. A player does not invest outside of his bankroll. All investments are made clearly and rationally with maximum potential profit on the distance.

These two poker skills are used by all players from time to time. The ability to lose by calmly analysing and accepting your defeat by examining the reasons for it with a cold mind is an essential quality for all poker players, because behind every win there are dozens of losses. You can lose a battle and more than one, but the goal is to win the war.

A perfected technique of bluffing, or in simple language - deception, is more necessary in a live game, and therefore offline-regulators, because nothing in the world can teach you to tell a lie or hide your emotions as convincingly as an impenetrable ‘poker-face’ acquired over time.

This poker skill helps everyone in life. It is about adequate assessment of what is going on around you and the people around you. Proper evaluation simplifies life, allows you to control the events that occur in life and confidently predict the future.

If someone you know combines all of the above qualities, it means that he is already a professional player even if he has never sat down at a poker table.

A true professional knows that emotions are the enemy of rational decisions. Whether it’s a bad beat, an opponent's provocation, or a string of losses, emotional reactions are replaced with calm analysis. There’s no place for tilt in a professional's mindset — every moment is evaluated based on long-term value, not short-term pain.

This emotional discipline extends beyond the table. Life’s setbacks — failed projects, broken relationships, disappointments — are approached not with frustration, but with clarity and control. Poker players learn that emotions can’t change outcomes, only actions can.

Poker teaches a very different relationship with time. While most people want quick wins and instant gratification, a professional knows that real success takes patience and endurance. He can sit through hundreds of hands waiting for the perfect opportunity — and never feel like that time was wasted.

This approach bleeds into life: a pro doesn’t rush decisions, doesn’t panic under pressure, and understands the value of waiting for the right moment. Poker players measure time not in minutes, but in value: what was learned, how control was maintained, and whether progress was made.

Poker rewires the brain to think several moves ahead. Decisions aren't made randomly or impulsively — they’re calculated, with contingencies built in. Whether it's choosing a business partner, investing, or even making social plans, a poker player thinks: “What’s my position? What’s the risk? What’s my edge?”

This leads to fewer regrets and more stable progress. Life becomes less about reacting and more about planning. Every outcome is a combination of probability, psychology, and timing — just like in the game.

Poker teaches the art of controlled aggression. Professionals know when to strike — when to raise, when to push, when to press an advantage. But just as importantly, they know when to hold back, let things play out, and wait for a better spot.

In life, this turns into a valuable skill: assertiveness without recklessness. Whether negotiating, defending values, or leading a team — a poker player’s instinct is to act with purpose, not emotion. They don’t fear confrontation, but they never seek it needlessly either.

A professional poker player rarely clutters his mind or life with excess. Possessions, distractions, and unnecessary obligations are filtered out. Simplicity is key — in decisions, surroundings, and relationships. Focus is a limited resource, and poker teaches how to protect it fiercely.

In this way, poker players often lead minimalistic, almost monk-like lifestyles outside the table. They learn to find comfort in clarity, routine, and purpose — qualities that amplify performance both in the game and in life.

One of the most underappreciated skills poker develops is the ability to read the room — literally. A professional observes posture, facial microexpressions, eye movements, hand placement, even breathing patterns. They build a silent database of human behavior that most people never notice.

In real life, this turns poker players into natural people-readers. Job interviews, romantic dates, tense conversations — all become easier when you can tell what someone is really saying, even when they say nothing at all.

To the outside world, poker seems risky. But inside the game, professionals understand risk like few others. Every action has a calculated risk-reward ratio. They’re not afraid to take chances — but only when the math and intuition align.

This mindset translates to career moves, investments, even social dynamics. A professional poker player doesn’t fear uncertainty — he studies it, models it, and uses it to his advantage. Life is full of unknowns, and poker players are uniquely suited to navigate them.

Perhaps the most defining trait of a professional is a relentless desire for improvement. Even after a big win, a pro asks: “What could I have done better?” Satisfaction is temporary; progress is permanent. They read, review, analyze, and constantly evolve.

This hunger for growth sets them apart. It’s not about ego — it’s about respect for the craft. A true poker player knows that mastery is a lifelong journey, and the second you think you’ve ‘arrived’ is the moment you fall behind.