Most recreational poker players are content with keeping the stakes as low as possible. The excitement of the game keeps them coming back to the tables, but they lack the ambition to make large-scale improvements.
However, many profitable poker players share a common goal. They want to play at the highest stakes available, thus maximizing profits.
But like many things in life, things are not always black and white. There are several reasons why successful players refuse to play the bigger tables.
For many, the most important thing is simply getting to a place where they can win consistently. Forcing the issue too much can have disastrous consequences, so players need to put on the brakes.
Let’s review the main reasons why profitable poker players refuse to raise their stakes.
They lie about their profits
One of the most common things I encounter is people lying about their profits at the casino. This delusional behavior is not reserved for poker players. All casino players brag about their consistent profits.
In reality, they can’t say what they win or lose regularly because they don’t know. As for poker players, many of them only lose such small amounts that they believe they are finally making a profit.
That’s why poker players need to keep a detailed record of each session. Then you can quickly review the ledger and see where you sit.
It is possible that the player attempted to move up the stakes and was quickly demoted back to the B team.
Players must trust their skills to advance
Skills of a gamblerFear is a powerful thing. It can also be one of the most destructive forces on the planet.
But before I get into a sermon about how fear destroys, let’s focus on the role fear plays in the minds of poker players.
Poker players must enter the poker room exuding confidence. When you see an insecure player taking a seat, that’s the time to leave.
However, lack of confidence is not reserved for fish. I know many profitable poker players who have consistently refrained from playing because of fear.
I agree that if a player lacks the confidence in his skills to raise the stakes, he should stay put. However, lack of skill and lack of confidence are different things.
If you have the skills to be profitable at higher stakes, it seems foolish not to gain the confidence to make a change.
Why should they change their winning system?
Many poker players are happy with their current system. If they are at a level that suits them and they are showing a profit, then in their eyes nothing needs to change.
When you start making changes, uncertainty begins to play a role. This can be enough to throw off your mojo and start causing losses.
I have a poker player friend who plays $1/$2 at casinos in Oklahoma five to seven days a week. He has plenty of skill and often performs at a high level in much larger tournaments.
I’ve even seen him play in private cash games against some of the top players in the area and keep himself afloat. He prefers small stakes games because he knows how to win.
He may make less money per session, but he wins more consistently. Because of this, he hasn’t had a “real” job in over six years.
I asked him about the possibility of promotion, and he said that if something isn’t broken, you don’t fix it. I can’t argue with that logic.
They are shy because of too many missed opportunities
Sometimes, poker players decide to take a shot and move to higher stakes before they can afford to do so. This is a risky poker strategy that requires excellent timing and a bit of luck.
When the shot is successful, it allows the player to quickly increase his bankroll to a more comfortable level. Then he can enjoy the spoils of his game.
It can take months or even years to return to previous levels. So it’s easy to understand why players hesitate to make another attempt.
Some players are so intimidated by previous attempts that they refuse to move to the next level when the time is right. Given their numerous failures, it’s hard to blame their current lack of ambition.
Everyone has bills to pay
Many recreational players may look at a profitable poker player and conclude that he or she is crazy for not doubling down and trying to get millions of dollars exchanged at the highest levels.
However, the most profitable poker players are ordinary people with mortgages, car payments and families. If they have found a way to make a living at the current stakes they are playing at, it is easier for them to stay the course.
The risk increases dramatically with each step up in the stakes. For a significant number of profitable players, the juice is not worth the squeeze.
Prudent poker players won’t risk their comfort for the sake of getting more money than they need. I’m sure we all know the stories of poker players who got greedy and lost everything.
For most profitable players, it’s best to leave everything alone.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several important reasons why profitable poker players refuse to raise their stakes. Whether they lack confidence or bankroll, all of these reasons are valid.
The first step in deciding to move to higher stakes is to determine your current hourly win rate. If you can’t come up with that number quickly, you need to take a few steps back.
Start recording each session in a detailed ledger and determine where you sit. Then you’ll be able to move forward with confidence knowing the level you’re currently at.