The game of limit hold'em has been the subject of many books and articles in which the game has been thoroughly analyzed and explained. With this great wealth of information, most players understand the basic fundamentals of the game and how to properly play most of their hands. You don't have to spend much time at the tables to hear players discussing outs and odds and expected value, even if they are sometimes misreading the situation. Since so much information is freely available and discussed, most solid players play a very similar style. I believe that the difference between the mediocre winners and the solid winning players is in their mindset as to how they approach the game. In this column, I will explain some of the concepts that I try to keep in mind as I navigate my way through my poker career.
- Every bet is precious. An extra bet saved or gained here and there contributes significantly to your overall win rate. Many players do things like pay off the river just to see their opponent's cards, or peel flops too lightly when they are frustrated. If you are not actively protecting your chips, you probably should not be in the game.
- The game will run tomorrow. Many players, especially in live settings, are intensely focused on how much they are up or down for the day. Worrying about results in such a forced and insignificant time frame can only lead to bad decisions at the table. Think about it this way: Do you care about your results from Thursday of last week? Probably not. Leaving today as a loser is just as unimportant.
- Fish get aces too. Many players give way too much action to players they view as weak. Yes, they might turn over a bad hand occasionally, but that doesn't mean they never have it. Even if you do not respect your opponent, respect the deck.
- Beats happen. If people don't put in their money badly, you will not make any money. When they catch, just shrug it off and worry about the next pot.
- Think about the winners and the losers. Many players fall into the trap of analyzing only the hands they lose. It is possible to win hands poorly and lose hands well, so you should be analyzing all of your decisions. Should I have won a couple extra bets? Could I have laid it down sooner? Did I really have the odds to chase?
- Bad games are an expensive hobby. If the game is bad, quit or move down. Playing in a bad game is a waste of your time and money. Putting yourself in a position to win is the key to cash-game success. Don't let your ego stand in front of your wallet.
- Cards don't think. They are not conspiring against you as they get shuffled. Your past beats have nothing to do with the next hand you will play. Blaming inanimate objects just wastes brainpower that could be used to figure out what actually went wrong.
- No one cares how bad you run. Complaining to the players around you brings nothing but negative energy and puts a bull's-eye on your back. Relax, have a nice time, and don't let them know they got the best of you.
Keeping these concepts in mind should help you control your emotions at the table, and will directly affect your win rate as well as your sanity. 
To watch poker training videos from Chris Rhodes, point your browser to Card Player Pro, the complete online poker training site, at www.CardPlayer.com/pro.
