How to Win at Everything

Play methodically and strategically, remaining relaxed even under stressful conditions. Even if the game requires a certain amount of speed, such as speed chess or sports, the player who stays calm is usually the one who ultimately walks away in triumph.Get used to breathing regularly as you play, taking time to make the best possible choice when it's your turn.If you are relaxed and calm it will be much easier for you to evaluate the various options and choose the best one.^[1]

Analyze your opponent's needs and weaknesses. Instead of trying to imagine what your challenger is thinking, ask yourself simpler, more effective questions.First ask yourself:"What does my opponent want to win?".So:“If I were him, what would worry me most?What is his weakness?".The answers to these two questions almost always indicate a valid strategy to follow.

• Imagine playing tennis against a player who has a great serve, but is weaker at the net.This player will tend to hit the ball hard, making you play on the baseline to avoid the area in front of the net;you, on the other hand, should reverse the trend by forcing him to come closer with short, cutting shots.
• In board, card or strategy games, ask yourself what your opponent needs to achieve victory.How can you stop him from getting what he needs?

Study the best strategies for the game you play. If you are a chess player, there are hundreds of books that cover moves, methods for reading your opponent, and long-term strategies in detail.If you play cards, however, mathematicians and game theorists have tested solutions to win almost every game, and these are often found for free on the internet.Don't try to learn everything through experience:Study the successes of other players and use them to your advantage.

• In addition to providing you with strategies, reading news and tips about a given game will help you recognize when your challenger is applying one of these strategies, so you can quickly counter it.
• Athletes also regularly study the latest advances in their discipline.For example, let's think about the US triple jump champion Christian Taylor:after having documented himself with research and scientific studies, he overturned the common belief by performing short and quick jumps instead of long and slow ones, thus winning the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics.^[2]

Identify repeating patterns. They can be game patterns or the opponent's way of acting.Anyone strives for casual behavior, but will still repeat the same methods over and over again, especially if they believe they work.Paying attention to general trends and patterns in the game can help you manage opponents and achieve victory.

• For example, if the enemy team is scoring points by attacking on the left side, don't just keep playing.Find a way to solve the problem on your team's left.
• In "Paper, Scissors and Stone" most men play the stone first, while the women play the card.This means you will always have to start with paper:so you are more likely to win or draw.If you pay attention to similar sequences when you play, understanding your opponent's game will be like reading an open book.^[3]

Use the case to your advantage. Just as you analyze your opponent's behavioral patterns, you can assume that he does the same.Whenever you add random elements, or simply reverse your patterns, you might catch him by surprise and gain an advantage.Not all games allow for elements of randomness, but changing tactics to confuse your opponent will usually help you gain the advantage.

• In sports, for example football, you can shoot from all around the penalty area, not just when you are close to the goal.Force your opponents to move to defend both outside and inside the area.
• Follow nature to reproduce randomness.For example, if you are serving in tennis, instead of always serving to the same side or alternating, look at your watch:if the minute hand is between 0 and 30 you serve on the right, if it is between 31 and 60 you serve on the left.

You must know the rules of the game perfectly. You cannot win if you commit fouls or break the rules.What's more, knowing the rules well is the best way to notice any cheating and know exactly what tools and strategies you have at your disposal.If you are playing a game or participating in a competition, knowing the rules perfectly already gives you an immediate advantage.^[4]

Train each individual skill to improve your game overall. Take poker, for example:While you can train simply by practicing a lot, good players know that to win they need to focus on every part of the game.So one day they study which hands to play or not to play, another day when to bluff and yet another how to calculate on the fly the probability of the cards coming out.If you excel at individual skills, you radically improve your overall game.

• For many games, such as chess, there are online exercises, i.e. specific game scenarios to be solved in a short time.
• For this reason training is essential in sports.Don't just think about repeating the same movement over and over again:think about how you will use a specific skill to achieve victory.^[5]
• More complex challenges, such as playing video games against the computer or even yourself, are great ways to develop your skills in your free time.

Communicate effectively and consistently with any teammates. The teams where we talk the most are also the ones that work best.You should maintain ongoing communication regarding your opponents' moves, where you are, whether you need help or support, or any changes in strategy.Don't think it's best to go it alone or stay silent to maintain secrecy.The best teams are in constant communication with each other.

• If you understand or find something useful for your teammates, let them know.
• Provide constant updates about your game, such as:"I'll take this", "I need help", "Watch your back" etc.^[6]

Practice psychological tricks. There is a famous episode from the Tour de France in which Lance Armstrong, leading after climbing a very steep mountain, sees a competitor gaining ground.Although exhausted, Armstrong changes his expression to a cheerful and relaxed smile and looks back at his opponent, who instead seems very tired.The latter, fearing that Lance is not tired at all, becomes demoralized, allowing Armstrong to win easily.You can employ the same type of tricks in any game to gain a psychological advantage.Staying calm and composed will make your opponents collapse.

• Regardless of the type of game, keep a straight face.The only emotions you should show are the ones you want your enemy to see.
• If for some reason you bluff in the game, do not reveal it to your opponent even if the bluff succeeds.For the same reason, in card games you never show your hand, unless you are forced to do so.This way you won't know when you're bluffing or not.