Competing in a game is usually fun, and that’s even truer if you’re the one wining. Even the simplest of games, like “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” involve using some sort of strategy to win. Giving yourself the edge is the name of the game, and here are five things you can do to up your chances of leaving the competition in the dust.
1. Get In The Confidence Zone
Confidence is key when it comes to your game approach. If you’re unsure of yourself, you’re less likely to go all in or fully commit. You’ll end up holding yourself back before the game even starts, and you might not realize that you’re doing so!
Approach the game with the attitude that you can win. Get yourself pumped in whatever way works for you. For example, if you’re a researcher, check out videos of past winning game play or read up on it. If you’re more into action, try some practice games if you can, even if you’re just playing against yourself.
2. Read The Rules
Rules, even smaller, lesser-known ones, can be used to your advantage, but only if you know what they are. Read over all the rules for the game you’re going to be playing from start to finish. Don’t just skim!
Make sure you review each one and that you understand all regulations and how they affect game-play completely. Truly successful players know the rules inside and out so they play fair and gain any advantage possible.
3. Create And Learn Strategies
From Go Fish! to Sorry!, there are strategies that can give you an edge for just about any game you want to play. One of the engaging aspects of game-play is forming strategies and changing them over time while you become a better player and go up against tougher opponents. But in order to experience that, you have to lay a solid foundation for yourself first.
Study strategies using online and offline guides. You can also watch past games played by more experienced players if videos are available. Don’t just copy the tactics you see those players using. Adapt what you learn and form some new strategies for yourself as you go along so your opponents are caught off guard.
4. Commit To Practice
“Practice makes perfect” is one of those sayings that is rooted in pure truth. Anytime you want to improve a skill, you need to practice it as much as possible, and that goes for playing a particular game, too. Professional athletes put in more practice time than game-play time, which is how they came to be pros to begin with.
Practice the game as much as you can whether it’s against other people at the same skill level as you are or computerized opponents. Note how your opponents are playing, what strategies are being used and what your own weak and strong points are. Learn from your mistakes so you don’t keep making the same errors later on when you’re playing in a more serious competition.
5. Keep Yourself Positive
A winning attitude is largely about being positive. If you become a sore loser or frustrated every time you lose, you’re more likely to quit and become distracted from your goals. Winning players don’t let themselves be dragged down by each loss, as setbacks are a natural part of any competitive game.
Keep a positive attitude. Go into each game knowing that it’s entirely possible you’ll lose. Use that knowledge to motivate yourself to play better and keep a cool, positive train of thought if you don’t win. There’s always next time, so there’s no point in dwelling on past losses.
