First Big Poker Win
03.05.2010 -It's the moment every aspiring poker player dreams of – your first big win. Keep at the game long enough, and you're bound to get that moment. Heck, even fish occasionally luck out. Committed amateurs get so used to accepting losses and to earning their small wins with blood, sweat and tears that often times that first big win can be overwhelming, even if it is well-deserved.
What's Next?
Their first big win tends to stop even level-headed poker players in their tracks. In a ring game, this reaction can be disastrous. While the temptation for many ring game players is to take advantage of what seems like a streak of luck, this mindset isn't logical, which is your first cue that maybe you should take the money and run. It may seem amateurish to some to run with your money, but the truth is that virtually all dedicated ring game players stand once they've increased their stack to a certain point. In the future, when you're more accustomed to taking big pots you'll be better prepared to play through the excitement.
For tournament players claiming their first big prize, the above scenario isn't a problem because you only win once the game has ended. On a similar note, though, it's best to take a moment to wind down before jumping into a new tournament. Once you're back at the lobby looking at your player account, you only have two options: to reinvest your big win or to cash it out.
The Withdrawal Process
It's perfectly fine to put your poker money back into the bank account it originally came from. Very few amateurs actually come out ahead, so it's understandable if you feel like a squirrel with a nut and want to hide your prize. But if you plan on continuing your poker efforts, remember that your next deposit has to come from somewhere. Perhaps the most logical way to withdraw your win is to use your big check to set up a poker-specific bank account and to use that as the source of all future endeavors.
Reinvesting
If you're serious about making your poker habit profitable, then the smartest thing you can do is add your big win to your bankroll. This could be your chance to try multi-tabling or to enter some larger tournaments which when combined with a solid strategy means more big wins in the future. It will also allow you to buy into your current stakes level with a deeper stack, giving you the added advantage of higher fold equity.
What Not to Do
Many players' first instinct is to jump to a higher stakes level. You'll have better success mastering your current level first and not moving on until you're consistently leaving the table ahead. Also, it's a big mistake to attribute your big win to luck – even though some is inevitably involved. Remember that poker is ultimately a game that rewards players that rely on straightforward skill; don't let that first big win go to your head and undermine future play.
Poker Rooms
