Peter Kurzdorfer has been a chess master since the early 1980s. He is co-author of The Everything Chess Basics Book with the US Chess Federation and a former editor of Chess Life magazine. In The Tao of Chess: 200 Principles to Transform Your Game and Your Life, Kurzdorfer shows how the complex game of chess can reveal underlying truths that one can adapt from the chessboard to all aspects of life, even no-limit. hold’em. tournament poker table.
Here are some of Kurzdorfer’s insights into competitive thinking, each followed by my translation of the poker tournament:
1. “Attacking a well-prepared opponent on the fly will rarely work in any sport or game.” Page 57.
In a no-limit tournament, the all-in bet gives the player a significant advantage. But sometimes this advantage can be abused, leading to a false sense of security or superiority. If you repeatedly attack an intelligent and observant opponent, that opponent will adjust. Then it’s only a matter of time before an ill-conceived all-in bet leads to big trouble.
2. “Initiative is an advantage. Seize it whenever you can and take it away when you don’t, if possible.” Page 60.
“We know that if you want something to happen, you have to make it happen. And the way to make something happen is to aggressively pursue it.” Page 102.
“The best way to psych an opponent up is to always play the strongest moves.” Page 213. And,
“Fortune favors the brave… At least one of the reasons this is so is that defending is such an unpleasant pursuit for most players.” Page 219.
In virtually all hold’em poker situations, the aggressor is favored to win the pot. Therefore, it is almost always preferable to bet or raise rather than call. When betting or raising are not viable options, then the next best option is to fold. The goal is to become the table captain, or alpha player. This position is achieved through relentless aggression.
3. “Completing a big task becomes possible when it is broken into many small connected tasks. In other words, a journey of a thousand miles is accomplished one mile at a time.” Page 129.
Playing in a poker tournament is an undertaking of mammoth proportions. There are literally thousands and thousands of considerations on factors like hands, opponents, odds, levels, and more. These many factors intertwine to create an endless stream of situations. And, each situation then requires the selection, from a menu of several, of the best option. In fact, this is too big an elephant to eat in one bite. Even the thought of winning a tournament can be overwhelming.
When overwhelmed, there is a reserve mental position. Remember that poker is a decision game. Winning poker is achieved by taking one good decision at a time. And that is all that is required. One good decision at a time, over and over again.
4. “Every dog has its day. Never think that you can win without effort. Page 160.
We all know about dogs in poker. They are the unlikely and desperate hands held by an opponent. Hands that probably should never have been played. But, there they are, anyway. Suck the river to win the pot that corresponds to us. Being done. It’s the stuff that puts sound players on tilt.
And therein lies the challenge. And there is also the meaning of winning against all odds. However, at least against all odds. This is not a time for complaining and self-pity. This is a time to redouble our commitment to win.
5. “Be on the lookout for opportunities in any game you play. They show up when you least expect them.” Page 173.
Windows of opportunity in a poker tournament occur during the play of a hand. These windows open imperceptibly and close quickly and permanently. If a player is not informed, observant and decisive, the opportunity will be lost. The missed opportunity could take the form of not being able to raise against weakness and therefore winning a pot now, rather than losing it later. However, many of the other moves in poker are time dependent.
6. “The hardest game to win is a game won.” Page 192.
Biggest disappointment in tournament poker: becoming bubble boy, after being the chip leader. And, the second biggest: finishing second, after being the chip leader. In fact, winning a tournament seems to be a great achievement in itself. I suggest you read Kurzdorfer’s book to learn how to overcome this obstacle.
7. “Anything that doesn’t belong in the position in front of you is a foreign thought: delete it.” Page 205.
Entertainment. There is no place in any form of competition for mental distraction or loss of concentration. Of course, staying focused for hours during a tournament under pressure and duress is a great goal. Especially, when you are competing online at home. So, learn the art of concentration. And get the necessary aids, like disabling your email while you play.
8. “Think strategic lines when it’s your opponent’s turn and tactical lines when it’s your turn.” Page 207.
In other words, always pay attention to the action. Especially when you’re not on hand. The information you gain will help shape your strategic plan. Then, as opportunities present themselves during one-handed play, you can execute tactical moves to advance your strategy.
9. “Patience… All strong players have this virtue in abundance…”, page 214.
All poker players have been instilled in the importance of patience, time and time again. For some players, patience is synonymous with dedication. For others, patience is an exercise in self-discipline. Regardless of how you define patience, the result is the same. Patience is the ability to wait, and wait, and then wait much longer, to play only the right hand at the right time.
An important universal truth about competitive thinking is to be discovered in Kurzdofer’s book. It is this: regardless of the sport, be it chess, bridge, poker, martial arts, video games or whatever, there are only a few fundamental rules for achieving a winning mentality. And most, if not all, of those rules can be found in his book.
