We are Poker Power

To celebrate the World Series of Poker Ladies Event and the amazing turnout, we want to showcase some of our most powerful testimonials. How has poker changed the game for you? Reach out and let us know! support@pokerpower.com

Attacking the preflop aggressor after the flop

“I am currently negotiating a contract position with a large health care company.  After our initial telephone call, I could tell the company thought I was a “weak opponent” given that I had never negotiated with a company of that size.  In the follow-up email the company had requested with some client information, I was very aggressive in pointing out the issues they had not discussed or thought about with the client. This has shifted the post-flop play as we progress in discussing compensation. My attack has confused them. I also know they are pot committed, as the client specifically requested they hire me for this project.  I am ready to go all-in.”

 -A.M.

Emotional Intelligence is crucial

“Poker requires a high level of emotional intelligence, just as women need across many business contexts – especially those that are high-pressure and emotionally charged.  More specifically, when playing poker, one needs to be aware of how they are feeling, while managing those emotions (you don’t want to go on tilt).  Likewise, when facing a tense, high-pressure business situation (perhaps negotiating for scarce resources, making a time-sensitive choice), we need to ensure our emotions don’t get the best of us or cloud our judgment.

Emotional intelligence is also about being aware of other people’s emotions and navigating others’ reactions.  In poker we have to pay attention to others and see if there are any tells that we can use to our advantage. In business situations when you are negotiating, be mindful of what information the other party is inadvertently telling you through a tell.”

-G.L.

First and foremost, it’s having a seat at the table

“A few observations AFTER we establish that we should have a seat at the table:

1. Knowing when to act.
   1. The first-mover advantage can set the stage for the discussion.  In business, you’ll encounter situations where you want to set the tone and you should act first.  Think premium hands, you don’t LIMP those.
   2. When gathering all of the information before you can also set the stage.  Listening to all the arguments before you make a decision is the same as watching the story being told on the table unfold.  When it comes time for you to act, what is your position at the table?  Can you fold or defend your big blind?
2. Do the work. Ensure that you have reviewed all the information so you are not blind to what could happen in any business venture.  Sometimes your initiatives are going to fail, and it will be disappointing, but if you put yourself in the best position you will walk away feeling good because when you review the “hand/situation” there will be nothing that you could have done better.
3. Isolate. The point of the 3-bet preflop is to isolate the players in order to extract the maximum value for your hand.  Some hands are better-played multi-player and some better isolated.  The same can be true of business when there might be too many cooks in the kitchen to get to a decision.
4.  Let folks catch up when you have the nuts at the table.  If you flop the nuts, don’t immediately go all-in.  Recognize your position in the negotiation and let people catch up to extract maximum value and use that to build goodwill.  If you go all-in too soon, you may scare them off.  This translates so well to business – you can’t run all over people.  I’ve encountered so many firms/vendors that are “take it or leave it” in their approach, which is extremely polarizing.”

-E.S.