A Framework of Mental Toughness in Professional Poker Players
A Framework of Mental Toughness in Professional Poker Players
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Issue Date
2011
Authors
Weinstein, Aaron
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Abstract
This study investigated mental toughness within professional poker players. Mental toughness has been referred to as a "psychological edge" that entails an ability to cope better than your opponents and be more consistent than your opponents (Connaughton, Hanton & Jones, 2002). Poker experts tell us over and over again that winning at poker is not about luck, playing your cards correctly or even understanding the statistics related to pot odds, but is about knowing yourself and understanding how others think, feel and behave (Fujitsubo & Peachey, 2006). In the current study, fifteen professional poker players were interviewed, consisting of 12 males and 3 females between the ages of 21-60, with winnings totaling more than $86 million, 409 tournament cashes, and 24 titles. Qualitative semi-structured interviews looked to address three areas: examining a poker-specific definition of mental toughness, the identifying attributes that encompass mental toughness in poker at the professional level, and the development of a poker-specific framework of mental toughness. Results verified Connaughton et al.'s (2002) definition of mental toughness and identified 47 components in 14 attributes that exemplify mental toughness. These attributes were grouped into four dimensions: one general (attitude/mindset) and three time-specific (pre-competition, competition, post-competition), within an overall framework of mental toughness. The applied implications and future research areas involving mental toughness and poker are examined in the Discussion section below.