Was giving my computer a tune up the other day, organizing some files and programs, when I came across a game I hadn’t played in a while: PKR, a 3D poker game, UK based. Quite interesting to look through all the chips I’d racked up over the time I’d had the account.

This got me thinking about a few things, how poker is one of those games where it’s all about taking emotion out of the equation, keeping your game tight and close…especially when the stakes get high. Reading people’s emotions or reactions, determining their next move (it’s even possible to do it online, with enough training), and both knowing and understanding when the time is right to play hard, go “all in.”

In factoring all these disciplines and qualities in, you really have to admit, poker players are something to be admired – the same way you would in any given combat sport I respect the players better than me and try and learn from them. Poker is all about taking risks, while understanding the risks you’re taking aren’t really risks but instead pre-determined moves from a long string of organized and evaluative thinking.

When you think about it, the same principles apply to life. Not that every move is pre-determined, of course there are some unexpected variables and factors you never see that get thrown your way – but even then, it’s about relaxing, maintaining your composure, and through the thick of it all, thinking up and structuring a solution.

I have a saying, “if you’re gonna talk about it, it better be to find a solution.” In other words, if you’ve encountered a negative situation or a problem in general, if you’re going to talk for hours about it, at least be talking about it to find a constructive solution. Otherwise, you’ve just wasted time in idle conversation.

Once you do find a solution or way to remedy whatever it is you’re dealing with, even if it’s not a problem but instead just another step towards your own success, you’ve gotta make it your business to avoid hesitation, hit the throttle and cross that checkpoint, make it to the finish line.

You’ve gotta go “all in” when you not just think – but feel, know the time is right.

This is why I encourage people to play different games of all sorts, from board games to physical activity, especially Poker.

It takes patience. Discipline. Situational Awareness. Assessment. Raising the stakes at the right time, and raising them BIG…and as Kenny Rogers says, even knowing when to fold.

Try out PKR this week, the account takes a few minutes to set up and they offer both simulation and real cash games. Trying out the game a few rounds will teach you about your own emotions, reactions, and instinctive reflexes in situations when things go south or get tense.

If you’ve already tried out a game similar to PKR, comment and share below, letting me know what it’s taught you.

As always…

Stay Awesome.

– Rego

Musings Episode 39: I’m All In… is a post from and appeared first on Rego’s Life

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