Increasingly poker players have come to appreciate the importance of avoiding tilt and remaining focused at the tables. They've learned it doesn't matter how thoroughly you understand poker strategy, an inability to control your emotions can prevent clear thinking and smart decision-making at the tables.
For a number of players, once they become comfortable with — or even approach a mastery of — poker's fundamentals, the ability to master the mental aspect of the game can continue to elude them.
Dr. Patricia Cardner has written extensively on the subject of psychology and its relation to poker, including contributing articles here at PokerNews offering concrete advice to players hoping to improve their focus and develop good practices to increase their chances of performing at their highest levels.