On the surface, patience is a “soft” poker skill—nice to have, but not nearly as useful as mastering ranges or studying ICM.
But the truth is that strategic patience is one of the most undervalued edges in the game.
And let’s get specific: this isn’t about folding everything and hoping for aces. Strategic patience is the capacity to play deliberately—choosing when to act, when to wait, and how to fend off the urge to force action out of boredom, tilt, or frustration.
The best players don’t win because they play every pot. They win because they know when not to play. They steer clear of marginal situations, keep their cool amidst anarchy, and make fewer emotional mistakes. In the long run, that discipline accumulates into a gigantic edge.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what strategic patience is, why it’s so crucial, the three types you need to master, and tangible ways to practice it both at and away from the table.
Because in poker, the player who can wait with purpose is typically the one stacking chips when it matters most.
What Strategic Patience Is (and Isn’t)
When players hear “patience,” many picture an ultra-tight style—folding constantly, playing safe, or passively waiting for the nuts.
That’s not strategic patience. That’s avoidance.
Strategic patience is active, not passive. It’s a matter of making good decisions, not sitting on thumbs forever.
It looks like:
Folding a marginal but good hand because the spot isn’t worth it.
Staying disciplined through long periods of card-death without trying to force action.
Holding back a bluff when the read isn’t solid.
Quitting early when focus slips, protecting both win rate and mindset.
It does not look like:
3-betting garbage just to “get involved.”
Calling rivers because “I’m due.”
Forcing action after a downswing to chase losses.
Bloating pots out of ego or boredom.
The difference is simple: folding because you’re scared is weakness; folding because the spot isn’t profitable is patience.
Why Patience Is a Real Edge
Patience is not sexy, so it gets overlooked. But make no mistake—it’s a real competitive advantage.
Why? Most players don’t have it.
They hate folding. They hate waiting. They can’t stand being card-dead or sitting quietly while others scoop pots. So they try to rush it. They spew. They try to chase.
Strategic patience is what rescues you from that trap.
It’s rooted in three core mental abilities:
Emotional Regulation – staying composed through discomfort instead of reacting impulsively.
Impulse Control – resisting the urge to “make something happen.”
Long-Term Thinking – remembering you’re playing the session, tournament, and year—not just this single hand.
Examples in action:
Folding AJo in the small blind versus a strong UTG open.
Skipping a thin bluff on the bubble to preserve your stack.
Taking a walk after three bad beats instead of tilting off more chips.
These aren’t highlight-reel plays—but they’re the decisions that separate the grinders who last from the ones who burn out.
The Three Types of Strategic Patience
Patience isn’t one-dimensional. To succeed in the long term, you need to develop it in three areas:
- Tactical Patience: Waiting for the Right Spot
This is the most obvious type—the skill to fold marginal hands and not force the action.
It entails:
Releasing technically playable but –EV spots.
Staying focused during card-dead segments instead of zoning out.
Letting context (position, stacks, opponents) determine your decisions—not boredom.
Ask yourself:
Do I make thin plays to “stay active”?
Do I feel anxious folding for long periods?
Do I use downtime to observe and strategize—or tilt-scroll my phone?
- Emotional Patience: Riding Out the Internal Storm
This is the most difficult type for the majority of players—the patience to sit with frustration or variance without acting.
It looks like:
Accepting a rough run without chasing losses.
Taking a breath after a bad beat instead of punting immediately.
Staying grounded during long losing streaks.
Ask yourself:
Do I make the same decisions when I’m stuck?
Can I pause and reset before I act or do I act impulsively?
Do I let variance dictate my mood and decision-making?
- Developmental Patience: Trusting the Long Game
Poker development does not happen overnight. Developmental patience is staying the course over months and years.
It means:
Grinding stakes longer than your ego wants.
Following a study plan instead of chasing the “next shiny thing.”
Measuring growth in terms of skill acquisition, instead of short-term results.
Ask yourself:
Do I get frustrated when there is slow progress?
Do I catch myself constantly comparing my journey with others?
Am I willing to build slowly instead of rushing through?
When you cultivate all three types—tactical, emotional, and developmental—you become the kind of player who is steady no matter the cards, the swings, or the stakes.
How to Practice Strategic Patience
Patience is not a personality trait—it’s a skill. And like any skill, it improves with practice. Here’s how to cultivate it:
Recognize Impatience Early
Pay attention to cues like rushed decisions, “I’m due” thinking, or physical tension (tense shoulders, restless legs). Awareness is step one.
Use In-Game Grounding Exercises
When impatience arises, pause. Take two cycles of 6-2-7 breathing (inhale 6, hold 2, exhale 7). Then inquire: What’s the smart play here—not the emotional one?
Set a Session Intention
Ground yourself prior to play:
“I’ll wait for the spots that matter.”
“Quality over quantity.”
“Patience is part of my edge.”
Review With Patience in Mind
Following sessions, ask:
Where did I force action?
Where did patience save me chips or focus?
What did I learn about my tendencies?
Practice Off the Felt
Build patience in life:
Mindfulness meditation (sitting in discomfort).
Urge surfing (waiting before you check your phone, etc.).
Writing down triggers and responses.
The more emotional control you have off-table, the easier it will be to stay calm in-game.
Final Thoughts: The Edge That Doesn’t Show Up in Stats
You won’t see “patience” tracked in your HUD. It won’t show up in EV graphs. And no one will praise you for folding second pair on the turn.
But behind the scenes, strategic patience is what sets the disciplined winners apart from the impulsive losers.
It’s not about playing tight—it’s about playing smart.
Patience protects your edge, clarifies your decision-making, and maintains your consistency during swings. In the long term, it’s what generates real results.
So here’s your task: Select one type of patience—tactical, emotional, or developmental—and work on it this week. Pay attention to when you feel impatient and notice how you respond.
Because although in poker aggression may win pots, patience wins careers.