You May Become a Target

There are usually so many low and middle stakes players in a game that nobody notices when a player has moved up to join them. However, at higher stakes, especially in live casinos, the player pools tend to be smaller. In addition, professionals at the high stakes games tend to want to stay out of each other's way and focus on the new blood. Either way, you may well be sized up by your opposition more carefully than ever before.

This does not mean you should expect that the other players are all going to try to run you over, although if your play is too tentative, this may happen. Many players at this level are professionals, and they understand there is more to beating a vulnerable opponent than simply rampant aggression.

Expect that your opponents may analyze your poker strategy carefully, looking for weaknesses and tendencies in your particular playing style that they can exploit. Whatever your style is, you will need to play in confidently, unpredictably, and be ready to make adjustments if things aren't working.

You May Feel Out of Place

If you've been playing at lower limits, playing for pots that are worth a small car or a year's rent may seem surreal. However, if you've arrived at the high stakes table honestly, by tracking your results until you are confident you are ready for the game, you should stick with it if your bankroll allows, even if you don't start winning right away. Once you know how much you are going to buy in for and how many rebuys you will allow yourself for that session, you need to stop thinking of the absolute value of the poker chips and think only of their value in the game. However, if you see real indicators that the game is too tough for you, there's no shame in dropping down to a more profitable level.

You May Be Tempted to Change Your Lifestyle

Big wins at high stakes poker games can literally be life changing money. Before you run out and spend it all, make sure the win reflects a legitimate win rate, and not a lucky streak. If you can really beat the high stakes game, you want to make sure your bankroll stays large enough to weather the inevitable swings that will come. Once you are confident in your win expectancy, it may be time to take a chunk of that money out of the poker economy and spend it on yourself.