Motivation in Poker: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Drivers and How to Leverage Them
Motivation in Poker: What You’ll Learn
- Understand the psychological factors that drive motivation in poker and their impact on performance.
- Learn about the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators in shaping a poker player’s mindset.
- Discover effective strategies to maintain focus and resilience during poker games.
- Explore the relationship between goal-setting and sustained motivation in poker.
- Gain insights into overcoming common motivational challenges poker players face.
What keeps you coming back to the tables? Is it the thrill of competition? The intellectual challenge? The dream of building a bankroll and turning pro?
Motivation is at the heart of poker success. It’s what drives you to put in the hours studying ranges, reviewing hands, and battling through the inevitable ups and downs of the game. Without the right motivation, it’s easy to lose interest, get frustrated during downswings, or burn out when results don’t go your way.
Psychologists break motivation into two broad categories: intrinsic (driven by internal rewards like enjoyment and personal growth) and extrinsic (driven by external rewards like money, status, or recognition).
Both play a role in poker, but if you don’t understand how they work—or how to balance them—you might find yourself stuck in a cycle of results-oriented thinking, unable to sustain long-term progress.
The best poker players don’t rely on one type of motivation but develop a balanced mindset that fuels consistent improvement, regardless of short-term outcomes.
In this article, I’ll break down the key differences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, explore how they impact your mindset at the tables, and discuss practical ways to leverage both for long-term success.
Understanding Motivation in Poker
At its core, motivation is the reason behind your actions. It’s what pushes you to fire up another session, study your leaks, or keep playing after a tough beat. But motivation isn’t just about wanting to succeed—it’s about what fuels that desire.
Some players are naturally self-driven, fascinated by the game of poker’s strategic depth. Others are motivated by competition, financial rewards, or proving themselves.
Neither approach is inherently right or wrong, but understanding why you play can make all the difference in how you handle the mental swings of a poker game.
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Why Motivation Matters in Poker
Poker isn’t a game of instant gratification. Unlike other competitive activities where effort translates directly into results, poker has variance (aka the frustrating reality that you can play flawlessly and still lose).
If your motivation isn’t strong enough (or if it’s based on the wrong drivers), downswings and setbacks can drain your confidence, making it harder to stay committed.
This is where Self-Determination Theory (SDT) comes in. It’s a psychological framework that explains how different types of motivation impact performance, learning, and resilience. SDT tells us that the most sustainable motivation is rooted in three core needs:
- Autonomy – The feeling that you control your choices and growth.
- Competence – The drive to improve, master skills, and feel a sense of progress.
- Relatedness – The connection to a community through peers, study groups, or competition.
Poker players who cultivate these three factors tend to stay engaged longer, handle adversity better, and enjoy the process more even when results aren’t going their way during online poker.
Now, let’s break down the two main types of motivation that drive players and see how each plays out at the poker tables.
Intrinsic Motivation: Playing for the Love of the Game
Some players would grind every day even if there was no money on the line. They love the intellectual battle, the thrill of solving complex problems, and the satisfaction of making the right decision under pressure. These players are driven by intrinsic motivation (the internal rewards of playing and improving).
Intrinsic motivation comes from within, and it’s fueled by personal enjoyment, curiosity, and the satisfaction of mastery. Intrinsically motivated players don’t need external incentives like money or status to stay engaged. Instead, they find the game itself rewarding.
Common Intrinsic Motivators in Poker
- Love of Strategy – Poker is an endlessly deep game, and many players are drawn to the challenge of making the best decisions with incomplete information.
- Desire for Mastery—Some players are driven by a passion for improvement. They enjoy studying the game, refining their thinking, and finding creative ways to outmaneuver opponents.
- Problem-Solving Enjoyment – Every hand presents a new puzzle. Players who thrive on problem-solving often find poker deeply satisfying, even when results don’t go their way.
- Personal Growth – Many players see poker as a tool for self-improvement where they practice patience, self-discipline, and emotional control.
The Power of Intrinsic Motivation
Players with strong intrinsic motivation tend to:
✔ Handle downswings better – Because they value the learning process, they don’t let short-term results dictate their emotions.
✔ Stay in the game longer – They aren’t just chasing money; they enjoy the grind and see challenges as opportunities to improve.
✔ Develop deeper skills – Since their motivation is tied to learning, they are more likely to study effectively, review hands, and refine their strategies consistently.
But while intrinsic motivation is a powerful driver, it’s not always enough on its own, especially in a game where financial incentives and external validation play a significant role. That’s where extrinsic motivation comes into play.
Extrinsic Motivation: External Rewards and Recognition
For many players, poker isn’t just about the love of the game; it’s also about winning money, climbing the ranks, and proving themselves. These are examples of extrinsic motivation, where external factors drive effort and commitment.
Extrinsic motivation comes from outside rewards like money, status, competition, or recognition. Unlike intrinsic motivation, which is fueled by internal enjoyment, extrinsic motivation depends on external incentives. This might mean grinding for profit, trying to reach a specific stake level, or chasing leaderboard standings.
Common Extrinsic Motivators in Poker
- Money & Financial Freedom – Many players start playing poker because of its earning potential. The idea of making a living from the game is a strong motivator, especially for those who dream of turning pro.
- Status & Recognition – Some players are driven by prestige. They might want to earn the respect of their peers, achieve a high online ranking, or make a name for themselves in the poker community.
- Competition & Achievement – Poker is a battle of wits, and many players thrive on the competitive aspect, wanting to prove they can beat the best.
- External Accountability – Some players stay committed because they are in a staking arrangement, part of a poker group, or have financial obligations tied to their poker success.
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The Benefits of Extrinsic Motivation
Extrinsic motivators can be incredibly powerful in keeping players disciplined and driven. Players who are extrinsically motivated tend to:
✔ Put in structured study time – When money is on the line, players are more likely to work on improving their game.
✔ Stay competitive – Chasing leaderboards or striving for higher stakes can push players to perform at their best.
✔ Maintain discipline – Players with financial goals often develop stronger bankroll management habits to protect their earnings.
The Downsides of Relying Too Much on Extrinsic Motivation
While external rewards can fuel ambition, they can also lead to mental pitfalls, especially in a game like poker, where short-term results are unpredictable. Over-reliance on extrinsic motivation can lead to results-oriented thinking, which happens when you focus solely on financial outcomes.
This way of thinking can discourage you when you are in a downswing (even if you are making the correct decisions).
It’s also easy to become burned out and frustrated if poker starts to feel more like a job than a passion. Remember how tough it is to keep up your motivation during a losing streak.
Finally, players who chase money are prone to tilt and emotional swings. It’s not uncommon to see a player like this make poor decisions, play too long, or take unnecessary risks to recover losses.
The key is to leverage extrinsic motivation without letting it control your mindset. The most successful players use a balance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, ensuring they stay engaged and perform well under pressure.
Balancing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation for Long-Term Success
The best poker players find a way to blend both types of motivation to stay engaged, disciplined, and resilient. If you lean too heavily on one side, you risk either burning out (from chasing money and results) or losing direction (if you lack clear goals or external incentives).
The sweet spot is to use extrinsic motivation to set measurable goals while keeping intrinsic motivation at the core of your long-term commitment.
How to Create a Balanced Motivational Framework
Align Extrinsic Goals with Intrinsic Growth
- Set specific financial or performance goals and connect them to skill development rather than results.
- Example: Instead of saying, “I want to make $5,000 this month,” focus on “I want to improve my river play to increase my win rate over time.”
Focus on Process-Oriented Goals, Not Just Outcomes
- Extrinsic goals often focus on results (profits, rankings, win rates). Instead, balance them with process goals, which are things within your control (like the number of hours played).
- Example: Track how often you make disciplined folds, review a set number of hands per week, or stick to a pre-session warm-up routine.
Use External Incentives Strategically
- Poker leaderboards, staking deals, and financial targets can help push you to stay disciplined, but they shouldn’t dictate your emotional state.
- Set up accountability structures (study groups, coaching, tracking software) to reinforce positive habits without making results your sole focus.
Title Image Credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock
Reframe Downswings as Learning Opportunities
- Intrinsic motivation shines during downswings, as it keeps you focused on improvement rather than frustration.
- Instead of reacting emotionally to losses, analyze hands with a growth mindset by asking, “What can I learn from this?” instead of “Why does this always happen to me?”
Check in with Your Motivation Regularly
- Every few months, take time to assess what’s driving you. Are you still enjoying the game? Are you too focused on short-term profits?
- Adjust your approach if you feel burned out or disengaged. Motivation isn’t static; it changes over time.
When you combine the love of the game (intrinsic motivation) with clear goals and rewards (extrinsic motivation), you create a sustainable approach that keeps you motivated, resilient, and improving over the long term.
Maintaining Motivation at The Poker Table
Motivation is the fuel that keeps you in the game. Whether you’re grinding micro stakes, preparing for your first big tournament series, or aiming to move up in stakes, understanding what drives you can make or break your long-term success.
Intrinsic motivation (your love for the game, your desire to improve, your fascination with strategy) keeps you coming back, even when results don’t go your way. It helps you push through downswings, stay focused, and enjoy the process of becoming a better player.
Extrinsic motivation (money, status, rankings) can give you clear goals and help drive discipline, structure, and ambition. But if you rely on it too much, it can lead to frustration, emotional swings, and burnout.
The most successful poker players learn to balance both by setting external goals and not obsessing over short-term results. They love the process of improvement and use financial or competitive incentives to stay motivated. Finally, they focus on growth and decision making because they know long-term poker success comes from consistency.
As you continue your poker journey, take a moment to reflect on what truly drives you. Are you playing for the right reasons? Are you setting goals that align with your growth? Are you developing a mindset that will keep you in the game for years to come?
Because in poker, the players who last the longest (and win the most) aren’t just the ones with the best strategies. They are motivated to keep improving, no matter what happens at the tables.
Title Image Credit: Netfalls Remy Musser/Shutterstock
