Poker is filled with valuable mantras, like “All you need is a chip and a chair” or “It’s never wrong to not play.” However, one mantra stands out among all others — the one that has saved me a thousand buy-ins and holds the power to improve your win rate at any moment:
Wait for a better spot.
The Power of a Simple Thought
Let’s think about this together. Imagine asking 1,000 professional poker players:
What causes players to shift from their A-game to a C-game?
What would the pros say? Based on my experience, it’s not about over-bluffing or frustration, but rather this:
“When capable players slip into C-game, their VPIP rises. They start seeing more flops, getting restless, and investing too much in preflop situations they should fold.”
I’ve been there. I would play well, but eventually, I’d get anxious, loose, and stray from my solid play.
Enter the Mantra
The moment my game started to turn around, five simple words entered my mind:
Wait for a better spot.
Since then, I’ve embraced mantras as a way to stay grounded and focused. It’s like collecting life lessons that help me stay focused at the table:
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This will pass.
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Listen.
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I’m okay in here.
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Sit up.
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Watch the game.
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Wait for a better spot.
These recitations provide stability, relief, and focus — essential elements for long-term success.
What Am I Waiting For?
When I say “wait for a better spot,” I’m talking about aligning five key factors:
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Position
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Stacks
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Villains
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Prior action
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Cards
I can feel when everything aligns, and that’s when I know it’s time to act. If that feeling doesn’t come, I fold. That’s what it means to wait for a better spot.
Patience: The Key to Winning
Position
In the hijack with 6-7 offsuit, it’s tempting to play when the stacks are deep. But the position isn’t great, especially with two strong opponents behind me. If I were on the button, I’d play.
Stacks
The stacks matter. On the button with 6-7 offsuit, I fold when the opponent has 20BB. I’ll play when the stacks are deeper — around 100BB or more.
Villains
Sometimes, even if the position, stacks, and cards align, I’ll fold. If the opponent is a tough pro, I’ll wait for a better spot, but against weaker players, I’m more likely to play.
Prior Action
If the small blind has been folding to 3-bets, I can raise with A-5 suited. But if the action suggests a fold, I’ll wait.
Cards
Some hands, like J-T suited, feel great in some spots, but in others, they’re just not worth playing. Trust your instincts and fold when you’re uncertain.
The Benefit of Waiting
Waiting is not just a strategy, it’s a mindset. It reduces the number of bad decisions and increases the number of profitable situations. I’ve learned that patience at the table leads to more rewarding moments and fewer regrets.
“Waiting raises the density of profitable situations.”
Even when I slip into a tilt, the mantra keeps me grounded and helps me avoid making reckless decisions.
“Wait for a better spot.”
Repeat it, and see how it transforms your game.
In Conclusion
Poker is a game of patience and timing. And when in doubt, remember the mantra: Wait for a better spot. It has saved me countless buy-ins, and if you follow it, it may do the same for you.
Why take my word for it? Ask the 1,000 pros.
