02 Oct 2024 mindset mental game discipline Imagine you have just learned how to add numbers. Now you’re ready to solve Einstein’s equations, right? No? Well, in poker, this happens all the time! Dunning-Kruger Effect The Dunning-Kruger effect, or "Know-It-All Syndrome" in poker is when a beginner, after winning a few hands, already sees themselves as Linus Loeliger. Meanwhile, the real Linus still doubts if he is good enough for the WCOOP Main Event. Signs of the "Know-It-All Syndrome" "I outplayed everyone!" You won three hands in a row and are already planning to quit your job to become a poker pro? Congratulations, you have a severe case of the syndrome! "Poker is easy!" If you think this after a week of playing, we’ve got bad news for you: Poker is as simple as quantum physics for a cat. "Why should I study? I know everything!" Ah, sweet ignorance! One day, you’ll realize you know about poker as much as a fish knows about bicycles. "Those pros are just lucky!" Yes, of course. And Usain Bolt just happens to walk really fast. Dunning-Kruger Effect Curve Now, let’s break down the Dunning-Kruger Effect curve, or in other words, the stages of poker enlightenment. Know-Nothing: You've just started playing poker and know nothing about it. Peak of "Mount Stupid": You’ve just learned to tell a flush from a straight and caught an upswing. The world of poker seems simple and clear. You’re sure you’ll be playing high stakes in a month. But then you lose your entire bankroll in one session and suddenly realize that poker might be a bit harder than you thought. Valley of Despair: You start studying and realize how much you don’t know. Poker seems like an unsolvable puzzle. You’re thinking about switching to checkers. Slope of Enlightenment: Gradually, you start understanding the depth of the game. Your poker skills improve, but so does your awareness of how much more there is to learn. Plateau of Sustainability: You’ve become a really good player. But now you understand that perfection has no limit, so you keep learning every day. How to Overcome the "Know-It-All Syndrome" Accept your ignorance The first step to wisdom is to admit you know nothing. Socrates said this, and he was a smart guy. Learn, learn, and learn some more! Read books, watch poker videos, analyze hands. And no, watching the "High Stakes Poker" show doesn’t count as studying. Play against stronger opponents Nothing grounds you more than a good beating from a better player. Think of it as a free poker lesson (well, almost free). Be critical of yourself Analyze your game. Yes, even those hands where you played like a total noob. Especially those! Never stop improving Even if you’ve become a strong player, remember: there’s always more to learn in poker. In poker, as in life, the more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know. It’s not a reason to feel down, but an amazing opportunity to grow! Who knows, maybe one day you’ll really become the next Linus. But until then, remember: overconfidence in poker costs a lot, and lessons in humility cost even more.
