Some people just have a natural talent for the game they play. In fact, in some instances, it seems as if the game chose the player, rather than the other way around.
But those instances are rare. In the vast majority of cases, the best players got to the top because they worked hard. Luck had nothing to do with it. And to relative beginners of games, that should serve as inspiration that they too can make it to a high level. This is especially relevant for challenging and popular games, such as chess and poker, which are more difficult than average to reach the top.
Let’s take a look at how you can do it.
Get Your Mistakes Out of the Way
Beginners make mistakes. That’s not a criticism — it’s just reality. In fact, it would be odd if they didn’t make mistakes! To use the game examples from above: you’ll see new chess players use an overly aggressive, all-out attack strategy (patience is key), or see poker beginners playing every hand they’re dealt (you should really only play 15 – 25% of hands).
You’ll likely make those mistakes too, and that’s fine. The main thing is to try to get those beginner mistakes (and by that, we mean mistakes people make during the first year of playing) out of your system as quickly as possible. You’ll find it much easier to progress when you’re not causing your own downfall.
Immerse Yourself in the Culture
Speak to the best players of any game or sport, and they’ll tell you that they’ve long been obsessed with their chosen activity. All popular games have a “culture,” and these don’t just serve as avenues for people to enjoy their games on a deeper level — they also help players slowly build up their knowledge of the game. You’ll learn a lot about poker or chess if you participate in relevant online forums, simply because you’ll naturally come across posts that offer tips or guidance that you otherwise would not have known about.
Play Regularly
There’s no substitute for regular playing. While you can and should read blogs and books about your newly chosen game, the vast majority of your progress will come from actually playing. The more you play, the more you’ll progress. Unless you’ve chosen a niche game or activity — let’s say, fencing — then you should have no trouble finding people to play with. To use the examples from earlier, both chess and poker are readily available online. It’s also worthwhile asking if any family members or friends (or friends of friends) play the game since this will allow you to mix online with real-world play.
Steadily Increase the Difficulty Level
It’s important to steadily make the game you’re playing more challenging. All too often, newcomers make a lot of progress before hitting a plateau — and that’s often where they stay. In this day and age, it’s relatively easy to increase the difficulty level. Poker players, for instance, may progress by upgrading from in-person play to online play, before then upgrading to tournament play. It’s actually easier to qualify for large poker tournaments than many people believe, with programs such as Power Path from PokerStars making it possible for online players to win a seat at major in-person events. There are also plenty of chess tournaments, both online and in-person, that will allow you to test your skills against international players.
Continue to Learn
Finally, if there’s one trait that seems to unite top players of all games, it’s a commitment to learning. As we said at the beginning of the article, seldom few are born with an innate talent for a game. The top players reach their level by learning, practicing, and improving. No matter what game you’ve chosen, the best way for you to reach a high level — or at least reach your full potential — is to strive to understand more about the game tomorrow than you do today.
Dilawar Mughal is an accomplished author with a passion for storytelling. His works span various genres, from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt romance novels. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for character development, Dilawar weaves engaging narratives that captivate readers and transport them to new worlds.