One reason that poor players are prone to making mistakes at the poker table is that many decisions in poker require assumptions or thought processes that are vastly different to those we require in our everyday life. In fact, many of the attitudes required to play good poker actually go against our instincts.

Ian Taylor & Matthew Hilger – in The poker mindset

 

If you want to be a successful poker player that reaches the highest levels, you simply can’t do that unless you are aware of your weaknesses and focus on plugging those leaks. For most people, even after doing that, they’ll simply never be good enough to play at the highest levels. That’s just life. You have to accept that and find a game you can beat. Most people rise to their own level of ruin by always looking to play in games they can’t beat. It’s part ego, part delusion, and part competitive spirit.

Daniel Negreanu – 12/2009 – in Full Contact Poker

The most important thing for a professional poker player to have is discipline. If you cannot move down in limits when you are losing, you do not have the discipline that is needed to be a professional poker player.

Chris Ferguson – 05/2008 – in Card Player

In Europe, there are more very good players, but also a lot of bad players. In the United States, there are a lot more average and good players. I think there are more great players in Europe than America.

Antonio Esfandiari – 02/2009 – In Poker News Daily