In modern poker, the difference between a winning player and a stuck one is not always about technique. Often, the enemy is in the head. This is explained by professional and coach Alexander Fitzgerald
The first of these is a classic phrase at any table: “this is the best hand I’ve had in an hour.” For Fitzgerald, this thought is completely irrelevant. Cards have no memory or sense of justice. That a hand is the “best in a long time” does not make it playable. If it’s bad, it’s still bad. Period.
Another common trap is the famous “he can’t have it every time.” This reasoning, more emotional than logical, leads to calling bets without foundation. The coach warns that often the problem is not that the opponent is bluffing too much, but that the player himself is showing weakness in his range. And when that happens, opponents simply apply pressure.
The fear of being exploited also appears as a silent enemy. Many players avoid certain lines for fear of becoming predictable. However, Fitzgerald is blunt: most opponents are not paying enough attention. Between cell phones, distractions, and automatic play, few really analyze patterns.
Alexander Fitzgerald Has Just Over Three Million Dollars In Online Poker And Nearly One Million In Live Tournaments.
Along the same lines, another illusion arises: “if I do this always, they will notice.” The reality is much harsher. According to the author, even winning players can go years without adjusting to obvious patterns. For many, poker remains more reaction than analysis.
Finally, one of the most costly mistakes appears: refusing to fold when things go wrong. Whether in cash games or tournaments, players often push their last chips out of frustration, instead of recovering. That impulse, accumulated over time, is lethal for any bankroll.
Fitzgerald’s conclusion is clear: improving at poker is not just about studying ranges or solvers, but also identifying and correcting these mental patterns. Because in the end, the most dangerous opponent is not always in front of you… sometimes they are making decisions with our own chips.
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Source: Alexander Fitzgerald on cardplayer.com
