How Poker Can Fine Tune A Wrestler’s Mindset and Training Approach
INSERT IMAGE HERE >>>>https://p0.piqsels.com/preview/14/166/453/wrestle-sport-ring-fight-ring-fighters.jpg >>>> Photo
Caption: There are more similarities between wrestling and card games than you would expect
At first glance, the classic card game of poker and the rough and tumble of wrestling have little in common. One is all about mental agility, while the other focuses on physical strength and speed.
However, delve a little deeper and suddenly it becomes clear that there is more connecting the two than meets the eye, especially when it comes to the training approaches and mind-sets adopted by high stakes poker pros and those used by the world’s best wrestlers.
In this article, we take you step by step through the reasons that a wrestler of any ability level, be they a WFI pro in senior wrestling or a total novice, can learn a thing or two from what goes on at the online poker felt.
Knowing the Basics by Heart is Key to Success
The first thing any novice wrestler must do before they can ever dream of getting better at the sport is to learn the basic holds that will come into play during competition.
This, of course, means getting hands-on with a training partner, who will help you to develop muscle memory and good technique for the next time an opponent grabs you by the scruff of the neck.
Believe it or not, the same applies to poker, but instead of holds a player must learn hand rankings. If you are a wrestler looking to start out in an online game of Texas Hold’em poker, then it is wise to familiarise yourself with the ten combinations of cards that will ultimately determine whether you win or lose each and every hand you play.
Once you have these hand rankings committed to memory they will pop into your head as you play, just as a hold comes naturally to any seasoned wrestler.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice makes perfect. It is one of the oldest mantras in any sport or game for a reason. At the end of the day, the only way anyone improves is by practicing their skills.
In wrestling, this takes the form of more gentle practice sessions with fellow rookies, so that techniques can be perfected and holds refined.
The same is true in poker. It’s wise to start out competing in what are known as ‘Play Money’ games. Only once your confidence is up and you know how the game works should you then progress onto real money games, which are the equivalent of proper contact sparring.
Situational Wrestling and Hand Reviews
Sometimes it is tough to practice certain wrestling holds during sparring, because neither side is willing to cede ground in the search for victory. When this dilemma arises, situational wrestling can be the way forward. Situational wrestling forces wrestlers into uncomfortable situations that they must then find a way out of.
In poker this is known as a hand review, with many software packages out there online that allow players to save and review hands they have played so they can assess them at a later date, a habit that anyone serious about wrestling should be keen to adopt.
Nothing Beats Live Card Play or Wrestling
As soon as any wrestler is primed for live-action they should not hesitate to dive straight into the grappling action. A wrestler will always learn the most from being in a live match, facing an opponent who is putting them under real stresses and strains.
The same applies in poker. This is part of the reason that many strong regular online players will engage in multiple poker tournaments at a time, in what is known as multi-tabling, so they can boost their experience levels in record time.
Poker players are also encouraged to try different variations of the game, such as PLO or Bounty Hunters, so that they remain fresh and mentally engaged.
Wrestlers would be well advised to do the same; to seek out rival clubs and foreign tournaments, where they can experience coming up against varying styles and techniques.
