Competition is competition. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing chess, football or poker; the rules of improvement are the same. Practice makes perfect.
If you dream of becoming the next Garry Kasparov, read up on your opening moves and practice them until they become second nature. If you want to become a better kicker, you need to get out on the field and hone your kicking technique. Likewise, if you want to compete at the World Series of Poker, or even just make money from the game, you have to put the effort in and practice.
For some reason though, there’s a widely held belief that those who play casino games and video games don’t need to practice. Winning money at the poker table, or coming first in a Call of Duty tournament, is seen as the result of natural talent rather than hard work.
Put simply, that’s not true. The best in the business do obviously have a large amount of natural talent, but they hone that through repetition. One key difference between a competitive gamer and an athlete though, is that the former can get their reps in on the road.
In this article, we look at that concept in more depth, explaining how and why competitive gamers keep themselves sharp whilst travelling or outside of traditional work hours.
Casino Gaming
Sat on a boat in Nicaragua? Walking down the street in London? Waiting for a bus in Somalia? Online casino sites don’t discriminate against location or activity. In all three of those scenarios, you can open up your phone and spin the virtual reels at DraftKings (https://casino.draftkings.com/).
So, if you’re in training to become a better poker player, there’s no excuse not to practice on the go. You can log in to a site like DraftKings and play poker, or even just go over your hand knowledge by giving video poker a go.
If you’re short of cash, there are thousands of free poker sites and apps out there too that you can practice on. All you need is a mobile phone and a sliver of reception – so maybe a boat in the middle of Nicaragua isn’t the best place to practice after all!
Mobile Gaming
Most AAA gaming titles that are enjoyed on console have mobile alternatives and these mobile alternatives give you the opportunity to practice and consolidate your skills on the move.
Sure, the graphics and gameplay might not be of the same quality, but you’re still getting the reps in. Think of it like using the gym on holiday. There won’t be the same range of equipment and weights as there is at your gym back home, but if you tailor your workout, you can still build muscle.
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(Mobile gaming makes practice on the go easy.)
Aim Training
Most competitive video games like Call of Duty come down to your aim. Yes, there’s a whole range of other variables out there, but knowing the map, understanding tactics and maximising your loadout aren’t going to take you to the next level alone – trust me, I have a 0.75 K/D!
The main skill that differentiates good players from players like myself is their aim. Fortunately, there are apps and websites like 3D Aim Trainer that allow you to spend hour after hour practicing your aim.
This can be done in the back of a car, on a bus or sat on a train and it will have an enormous impact on your skill level. Unfortunately for me, there are just some things that can’t be fixed, like my incredibly wonky aim.
(3D Aim Trainer is a great way to improve your shooting on the road.)
Do Your Research
Reading about the best tactics in your game of choice. Watch YouTube videos showing you the latest gun meta. Find out about the latest updates and how they might affect your gaming style.
The internet is a treasure trove of information, and not just something that enables you to waste two hours scrolling on TikTok or Reels. That two hours could be better spent and it could help you out of a tight spot the next time you find yourself in a competitive environment.
Natural Ability Gives You a Headstart, Discipline Takes You to the Finish Line
It’s a cliché, but talent is not the most important ingredient in success. To be your very best, you need to train to improve and you need to train regularly.
Community football fields are full of overweight players who were high school superstars, whereas the NFL is full of talented athletes who shed blood, sweat and tears to get over the finish line and make it to the top.
To achieve greatness in the world of competitive gaming, you’ll have to do the same. Are you ready for that?