What Poker Players Can Learn from Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a popular film franchise based on best-selling books by J.K. Rowling. The first film of the franchise ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone’ was released in 2002 and since then, sequels and spin offs of the franchise  is winning the hearts of the audience worldwide.

Each character of this fantasy series has a rich backstory that makes them relatable to real life. There’s a lot we can learn from them.

But, do you know how these mysterious characters underscore some ‘magical’ lessons for a Texas Hold’em Poker player?

Here are some invaluable lessons we picked up for the Poker fanatics from the story of “The Boy Who Lived” that will surely help them come out on top at the game table –

Never stop learning

Though he is backed by his friends, Harry always knew that he has to fight his ultimate battle with the universe’s most dangerous wizard all alone and learning magic is essential for his survival. His willingness to learn provided him an added advantage in destroying the Horcruxes and defeating Voldemort. Poker is a game of skills and strategies. Mistakes are inevitable, but you should think of them as another step towards improvement. Practice and training helps you acquire critical thinking, patience, and decision making ability. To survive in the game for a long time without constantly upgrading your knowledge and skills is unthinkable .

Identify your Severus Snape

Snape taught Harry the importance of preparation in order to achieve his goals. Before playing on your own at the real stake tables, it is important to understand the basics of the game through books, blogs, forums, videos, etc. You can join an online community to share your experiences, thoughts, and queries related to the game with other players and get their valuable inputs. Many professional players share their teachings through e-books or video tutorials to help beginners learn the tricks of the trade. There also freeroll games available on some Indian Poker sites that you can join with practice chips to experience the table environment without making any investments from your pocket.

Conquer your fears

Harry Potter faced several situations where he realized that he is not fully prepared to deal with his fears. But with his perseverance and courage, he managed to overcome the odds. Playing a real stake tournament against opponents with years of experience is not a cake-walk. Like the Boggarts, there are skilled players on the Poker table who can smell your fear and anxiety and mark you as an ‘easy target’. The best way to get over your fear is facing it, instead of running away from it. Your opponents are not invincible. Take time understanding their tendencies, body language, batting pattern, playing style, etc and develop your strategy accordingly. Learn how to transform your stress and anxiety into a desire to succeed. Remember that no matter how threatening your opponent is or how terrible the situation looks, you can always make them “riddikulus”.

“It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”- Albus Dambledore

Regardless of your confidence in your skills and experience, always pay attention to the strengths of your opponents. Foresightedness is the key to deal with challenging situations in Poker. No matter if you play free Poker, cash games, or a multi-table tournament, there should always be flexibility involved in your plans, so that you can modify them as per the situation on the game table.

Harry Potter proved that confidence and positive thinking are the keys to accomplishments. If you’re determined and passionate for the game, you will be able to achieve big wins on a consistent basis in Poker!