bankroll bluff discipline mental game tilt variance Professional poker coach Pete Clarke identifies four critical mistakes that destroy poker careers before they start. Learn why checking results constantly, drinking alcohol, ego-driven calling, and poor session discipline sabotage your success. Essential mental game advice for serious players. Stop checking short-term results. Avoid alcohol completely. Control ego-driven calls. Play focused sessions with proper mental preparation. Career-Killing Habits: Result Obsession - Constantly checking bankroll conditions your brain to care about daily variance instead of long-term skill development Alcohol Destruction - Even moderate drinking impairs decision-making, increases tilt, and creates anxiety that ruins poker performance for days Ego Calling - Refusing to fold because you hate being bluffed leads to massive losses against better players who exploit this weakness Session Discipline - Playing tired, distracted, or for wrong reasons (chasing losses, filling emotional voids) guarantees poor results Mental Preparation - Treat poker like professional sports - only play when physically and mentally optimal, not as casual entertainment Variance Acceptance - Learning to fold strong hands and accept being outplayed is crucial for long-term success against skilled opponents Professional Mindset - Set clear boundaries with family/distractions and approach poker as serious work, not recreational gambling
