Benjamin “bencb789” Rolle is an elite-level professional poker player and founder of the RaiseYourEdge poker training site. Rolle is respected and feared by his peers in equal measure. Today, he gives away some trade secrets to PokerNews readers for free.
After playing poker for over 15 years, I’ve learned some lessons that go far beyond the game itself. I started grinding $1 Sit & Go’s (SNGs) and eventually worked my way up to playing $5,000 SNGs before transitioning to tournaments. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few crucial insights, especially during those inevitable downswings.
One thing I’ve come to understand is that the pain and frustration you feel during downswings aren’t just setbacks—they’re part of the process that makes you stronger. It’s like life: nothing worthwhile comes without a bit of struggle. Trust in the journey because, just like in nature, nothing can grow without a little rain.
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Poker mirrors life in many ways. You can do everything right and still lose. It’s tough, but the wins will come if you stay in the game long enough. The cards may not always go your way, but how you play them counts in the long run.
The game has also taught me lessons that apply far beyond the poker table. Many of my friends who started in poker have gone on to excel in business thanks to the resilience, patience, and stoicism they developed through the game. Just like in business, doing everything right doesn’t always guarantee immediate success, but it sets you up for it.
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Practice is everything in poker, but it’s not just about playing more hands. It’s about observing others, staying curious, and being open to different approaches. The best players are the ones who keep learning and don’t just blame bad luck or bad opponents when things go wrong.
Results will follow if you focus on the right things. Poker isn’t the be-all and end-all, but if you take it seriously, you’ll develop valuable skills in other areas of life. If you don’t, then yes, you might be wasting your time.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to how much you should play or study. This is where self-awareness comes in. You need to understand what works best for you. Some people realize poker isn’t for them, and that’s okay, too. The journey is personal, and there’s no wrong way to go about it.
One thing I’ve learned for sure is that there’s always the best possible decision in every situation. Complaining about bad luck or playing outside your bankroll isn’t it. Instead, taking a break, talking to friends, or reviewing your game are positive steps forward.
Stress isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either. Often, it’s under stress that we perform our best and push ourselves to new heights. It’s about managing it, not avoiding it.
But it’s also important to work smart. You can spend endless hours studying solvers, but if you don’t know where your money is coming from or what your biggest leaks are, you won’t see much progress. Focus on what truly matters, and the results will come.
Poker is a game full of life lessons if you’re open to them. If you’re only focused on the money, you might miss out on what the journey can teach you. But if you embrace the ups and downs and stay committed to learning, you’ll find success not just in poker but in whatever else you pursue.
