Lessons from a superior player -- Phil Ivey

[SpeakEasy]

I think we are watching a legend of poker. Lessons for 2+2 poker students -- why Phil Ivey is a superior poker player:

1. He eats, sleeps, breathes and lives poker. He plays and practices constantly. He has tried every strategy and seen every possible situation.

2. Student of poker. He thinks about poker constantly, including his mistakes, and is always trying to improve his game.

3. Intense focus. Has the mental and physical ability to sit quietly for long periods of time and maintain focus without losing concentration.

4. Extremely patient, and is able to play long sessions.

5. Aggressive, confident and fearless. Not afraid to lose, not afraid to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes, extremely confident in his game.

6. Massive bankroll. Neither a single hand nor his entire buy-in for a session presents a threat to his overall bankroll. The buy-in for even the largest tournaments does not dent his bankroll, and he never thinks about the money that he will lose if he busts out of a tournament or has a losing cash-game session.

7. Emotionally detached from each hand, from the other players, and from the game. Each decision of each hand is governed entirely by the situation at that moment, and is unclouded by any emotional issues surrounding the opponent, prior bad beats, bankroll concerns, etc.

8. Not driven by a desire to impress others. Does not care what others think about his play. Lets his results speak for themselves.

9. Sixth-sense poker ability. Amazing ability to read other players, smell weakness or strength, and take advantage at every possible opportunity or avoid trouble. Largely the result of #1 above -- constant play improves the ability to read other players.

10. Superior reputation allows him to create fear or confusion and take advantage of situations that are not available to many other players.

Some of these may be assumptions, but probably very close to reality. Now, if I can only incorporate more of these characteristics in my game...