This article is about the endless argument over whether poker success is luck or skill, and, know what, I’m going to answer it once and for all! I’ve been playing poker for many years both money and free texas holdem poker and in this time have made some real nice money…I’ve also been busted a few times so I like to think I have a good perspective on the issue!

First off, lets consider what skill in poker is. In my opinion a skilled player is one who can recognize betting patterns, understand flop odds, and percentages, and have a solid concept of strategy and theory. I have noticed however, not matter how well skilled one may be, you must account for variance, and sometimes aggressive, even poor play from others.

I believe in conclusion it is best to assume that poker is a combination of both skill and luck where the skill level of the player involved has a definite effect on the “luck” component of the equation in the medium and long term.

The assumption would be based on this conclusion that you have to be both pre flop aggressive, as well as post flop smart. Many times a player might find themselves in a position where they made the proper call, yet they find themselves behind due in part to an opponents luck hitting a one or two outer.

It is extremely difficult to combat this situation. This can, in part, be blamed on the speed of online poker hand as opposed to the live game. In the online poker game it is a lot faster and you have a lot less time to make decisions.

Many players believe there are more bad beats in online poker than in the live game. This is not unreasonable in a math sense due to the far greater number of hands seen and played. There is also, I feel, a tiredness factor in action, players feel pushed or maybe suffer a succession of bad beats.

As a result decision making can become irrational, and typical hands that would be thrown away are now played, and even pushed pre flop out of anger in attempting to win back lost funds.

Others, who are skilled can pick up on such trends and play them to their advantage, which in turn results in greater loss, and in the eyes of the losing player, more bad beats which he feels was based on luck.

The successful (skilful) poker player knows how to manage both aspects of the game. In effect you become able to manage probability (luck) by application of skill and so apply the old phrase beloved of annoying sales managers/gurus everywhere, “make your own luck”. Basically meaning that your skill flattens out the “bad luck” to the extent that you are up consistently in the medium and long run.

And how to do this? My advice is to start safe and low risk. Go to one of the better free texas hold em sites and practice lots and lots. You will find your confidence (and bankroll) growing and can then take a step up to some low stakes games, and from there…who knows!