Poker, a game of skill, creates the “illusion of control”, which is one of the hardest mental barriers for players to go past. It means thinking we can change things that are really random. This cognitive bias may cause bad choices, anger, and big setbacks. To become a better player, you need to be able to see and deal with this illusion. This article will explain what the illusion of control is, why it happens so often in poker, and provide you with useful advice on how to avoid letting it damage your game.
What is the Illusion of Control?
The illusion of control is a psychological idea that says individuals think they have more control over things than they really do. This shows itself in online poker tables in a number of ways. You might have a certain method you stack your chips, or a set way you look at your cards. These acts may make you feel powerful, but they don’t really affect which cards are dealt.
This bias makes players think they are in charge of things that are beyond their control. A player could say, “I should have known that card was coming,” even though there was no way to tell for sure that it would come after a horrible beat. They blame a random event on a personal flaw, which gives them a false feeling of control over things they can’t change.
Why It’s So Common in Poker
Poker is a great way to feel like you have control since it combines skill and chance. There are so many options to make in the game, such as whether to bet, raise, or fold, that it’s tempting to think that your choices control everything. These are called “skill cues,” which are parts of a game that are linked to skill and make the illusion stronger.
The Risks of This Illusion
Believing you have control might hurt your mental game. When you think you have more power than you actually have, you’re more inclined to:
- Go on a Tilt: When the cards don’t fall the way you “expect” them to, it makes you angry and makes you make judgments that aren’t logical.
- Chase Setbacks: Players may make risky wagers in an effort to “force” a victory and get back in charge.
How to Get Real Control Back
You don’t really control the cards in poker; you control yourself. These are some helpful strategies for getting over the illusion of control:
- Concentrate on What You Can Control: You can’t change the river card, but you can choose your beginning hand, how much you wager, where you are, and how you respond to what your opponents do.
- Accept Change: Realize that randomness is a natural aspect of the game. Even the greatest players in the world face setbacks sometimes. If you make good judgments, the results will come in the long term.
Conclusion
Players of all skill levels are affected by the strong bias of the illusion of control. You can make better decisions and become mentally stronger by knowing what it is and actively battling against it. The best poker players on PokerCircle realize that they can’t control the cards, so they put all their efforts into managing the one thing they can: themselves.
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