Learn Texas Holdem

There is some dispute among poker enthusiasts as to whether poker is a sport or a game (or both). Some feel that since there is no clear athletic ability required, poker cannot be classified as a sport. Others feel that the level of endurance, focus, competitiveness, skill and discipline required for success in poker gives it much more in common with sports than mere games. Whether you agree that poker is a sport or not, approaching poker as a sport can have beneficial effects.

Texas Hold'em as a Sport: Exercise

A healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial to successful sports performance. Even though poker players spend their time sitting, they need energy to remain focused. A player who is stuffed with food or overtired is not going to be able to think and play at the optimal level required for poker success. A healthy body often leads to clearer thinking. In addition, neglecting one's physical health can be dangerous in poker precisely because it can be so sedentary.

Texas Hold'em as a Sport: Practice

Very few baseball players hit a curveball on their first try. Michael Jordan spent more time doing drills than any of his teammates. Players in every sport practice for hours and hours to prepare themselves for competition. In Texas Hold'em, the more hands you see, the better you can get. You have a much better chance of winning your one hundredth tournament than of winning your first.

Texas Hold'em as a Sport: Post-Game Analysis

During practice, coaches have their players watching game tapes whenever they aren't out on the field. Anything the players can pick up on their performance or the performance of their opponents can give them an edge for the next game. This is extremely true in poker as well. Online poker sites allow you to keep detailed notes on your opponents that will appear whenever you play those particular individuals. You can also access detailed hand histories and analyze them with tracking software to tell you what areas of your game you need to work on.

Whether poker is classified as a game or a sport, it is clearly a highly competitive activity that requires well-developed skill and determination to win. If you approach success in poker with the same attitude as you approach success in sport, you are putting yourself in a great position to appear in the poker winner's circle.