The top 5 attributes of the 'complete' poker player

[Percula]

Some great replies... let me add some more to the list, call them the other 5 attributes.

1) Situational awareness.

2) The ability to trust your gut. Sometimes there is just too much information available too fast for the waking mind to deal with and your non waking mind must step up and give you a gut check.

3) The constant drive to improve one's self.

4) The ability to find satifaction in your life.

5) The ability to examine one's self in a crystal clear light and do what is needed.

[LearnedfromTV]

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What are the 5 key differences between good players and world class players, (extremely good players)?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll take a shot and offer two traits that blend into one another.

1. Exceptional situational memory. The best players remember more detail about how their their opponents play hands and situations, which allows them to have better reads.

2. Reading ability, which means more than putting someone on a hand. It means putting them on a thought process. Knowing what you have, what he has, what he thinks you have, what he thinks you think he has, and so on.

I think #1 leads to #2.

The best players know the odds, of course, either mathematically or intuitively. But that is trivial compared to these traits.

Discipline, money management, and the courage to push small edges would round out my Top 5, but those are traits of any solid poker player. I think what makes the very best the very best are the first two.

Any world class players care to comment?

[KaneKungFu123]

hand reading

patience (not tilting)

being honest with themselves about their play

their will to study/improve their game

motivation/playing enough hands.

[imported_stealthcow]

so where does stu ungar or barry greenstein go on your list?



stealthcow-