There are two types of people in this world: those who confidently ask for what they want and those who cross their fingers, hope for the best, and end up disappointed. If you’re in the latter camp, it’s time for a rebrand.

Negotiating a raise isn’t about luck—it’s a game of strategy, confidence, and knowing when to make your move. It’s poker, but you’re stacking your value instead of chips. And in this game? The house doesn’t always win.

Step One: Play the Long Game

Smart poker players don’t bet their entire hand on the first round. They build momentum. If you walk into your boss’s office unprepared, asking for a number that makes their jaw drop, you’ve already lost the game.

Instead, start playing the long game now. Keep track of your wins, major projects, and the times you’ve saved the company from metaphorical (or literal) disaster. The more receipts you have, the stronger your hand will be when it’s time to make your move.

Step Two: Read the Table

Poker pros don’t just play their cards; they play the people. The same rule applies in salary negotiations.

Know your boss. Are they data-driven? Emotionally motivated? Do they respond to direct pitches or prefer a more conversational approach? Study them like they’re your opponent at the final table. The better you understand their decision-making, the easier it is to position yourself as the obvious choice for a raise.

Step Three: Bluff With Confidence

Confidence sells. If you sit down at the table looking unsure, your opponent (a.k.a. your boss) will see right through it.

So sit up straight. Maintain eye contact. Speak with conviction. The key to a successful bluff isn’t deception; it’s unwavering self-belief. You know you’re worth more. Now, make them see it, too.

Step Four: Know When to Go All In

Timing is everything. You don’t go all in on a weak hand, and you don’t negotiate a raise when the company just announced budget cuts.

Find the right moment. A successful project? A glowing performance review? An industry-wide salary bump? That’s your cue. Walk in with data, confidence, and a number that reflects your value. Not what you think you deserve—what the market says you do.

Step Five: Be Ready to Walk

The best poker players know when to fold. If your company refuses to recognize your value despite the receipts, confidence, and strategic timing, it might be time to play at a different table.

Your skills? Experience? Impact? They all have worth. And if they won’t pay up, someone else will.

The Bottom Line? Play to Win.

Negotiating a raise isn’t about being liked. It’s about being respected. It’s about knowing your worth, playing your cards right, and never settling for less than what you bring to the table.

So the next time you sit down at that salary negotiation table? Play to win. You’ve got this.