Most important factor?

[Chopper]

Let's have some fun here. Please tell me your opinion. Which is the most important skill to have and why?

note i left out EXPERIENCE because i think we all agree there is no match for that one.

please explain if you picked "other," as i am sure i left some good ones out.

[zook]

I voted for reading palms. I always like to examine my opponents luck line before sitting down at a table.

[Anosmic]

"Instinct/feel" and "luck" aren't skills.

[Da GOAT]

''picking on the poor bastard who sucks at poker'' skill

[mrhappy333]

you left out pre flop hand selection, and position.

[dsmrolla06]

you left out pre flop hand selection, and position.

Probly falls along the lines of patience and discipline

[mrhappy333]

you left out pre flop hand selection, and position.

Probly falls along the lines of patience and discipline

goot point

[Seasider]

Reading hands. At lower stakes patience and getting it in on Aces and sets will take you a long way as well.

[dsmrolla06]

I think patience and discipline would include controlling tilt and emotions which is an extremely important factor. I dont think reading hands is really the most important skill in lower stakes games but becomes increasingly important as you move up. I think you can play perfectly fine without reading hands and just knowing how an opponent plays, whether hes loose or tight, and with stats from PT. I dont really think that would fall under hand reading so much.

[Chopper]

no, luck isnt a "skill," but someone out there swears it's better to be lucky than good. and i put it in there for him.

however, "feel" may not technically be one, either, but i personally believe it IS an important factor that some could "feel" is the best advantage in a poker players arsenal. just like Tiger in golf, you cant often overcome a player thats fundamentally sound, and also has a certain "intuition" for picking his spots to be aggressive. thats why that one's in there. there are some players that are just naturally talented enough to play at very high levels.

i certaiinly am not one of them, though...lol

[biondino]

no, luck isnt a "skill," but someone out there swears it's better to be lucky than good. and i put it in there for him.

Indeed, I see Pleasebanonlinepoker has already voted

[dsmrolla06]

Luckbox maintenance should be added next.

[miw210]

If you have really good hand reading skills, why would you need discipline/patience?

[dsmrolla06]

If you have really good hand reading skills, why would you need discipline/patience?

You cant really have one with out the other and expect to be a winning poker player. I dont care how good your hand reading is, your not going to be able to play every single hand and have a positive ev. Discipline means your not chasing draws when you dont have the cards, or laying down aces when you know your beat.

[Miffed22001]

luckbox maintenance

otherwise hand reading, all the rest can be learnt by most players its just hand reading that gives the top players the edge Imo

[jyms]

Site and table selection will be the most important aspect to your winning long term, everything else is easy to learn. And tilt control, which is probably under discipline/patience. Never tilt, make money.

[givememyleg]

I picked luck but my real choice would be hand reading followed closely by discipline/patience.

[jameseyb]

You missed out "Finding the rigged games"!

Discipline/patience have got to be my choice, just beating hand reading. It's a close tie though.

[bode]

discipline/patience is the most important IMO.

[Jimmy Mac]

Discipline & patience are the most important for new players in my opinion. As you move up I imagine hand reading is the key skill.

[Xianti]

Patience must be learned as a beginner, but once you have that, reading hands is a key skill.

"Position" is not a skill. Learning the importance of position is a key skill.

[NWNewell]

Patience must be learned as a beginner, but once you have that, reading hands is a key skill.

"Position" is not a skill. Learning the importance of position is a key skill.

DISCIPLINE!

Discipline to be patient and not play garbage.
Discipline to continually evaluate your game and try to improve.
Discipline to control your emotions and tilt.
Discipline to evaluate the situation objectively and look at the odds and not act on impulse.
Discipline to play within your bankroll.
Discipline to follow through with your objective read of the player and their hand and not give in to impulse just because you hopr you are not in as bad of shape as you think.
Discipline to . . .
etc,
etc,
etc . . .

Regardless of the stakes, knowing all the odds, reading hands exactly, knowing all the strategy won't get you anywhere if you don't have the discipline to apply your other skills properly.[/i]

[Chopper]

well put, Newell.

i figure discipline is a "catch all" category. it may be a bit vague. i meant, originally, tilt control/starting hands. but, it can also be table/seat selection.

i wonder what the big boys would say. most likely hand reading. i am also surprised, so far, to see discipline is winning, as i thought the FTR gang would say "reading" also.

[NWNewell]

well put, Newell.

i figure discipline is a "catch all" category. it may be a bit vague. i meant, originally, tilt control/starting hands. but, it can also be table/seat selection.

i wonder what the big boys would say. most likely hand reading. i am also surprised, so far, to see discipline is winning, as i thought the FTR gang would say "reading" also.

As you move up in limits, hand reading becomes crucial. But I sit believe that if you don't have discipline to go with your read, to make the lay down when you read tells you that you need to hit a long shot draw to win, then hand reading doesn't get you anywhere without discipline. I think not having good discipline will cripple you more than not having good hand reading skills, even at the higher stakes.

[donkbee]

discipline is by far the most important. you can be good at hand reading but if you're not disciplined, you can still go busto.

[Renton]

def, luck