Once in a while I have to do this; I either get caught up in FPS (fancy play syndrome), or I just start tilting and playing off my game to the point where I need to take a step back, analyze, and get back to the basics.

Lately, I’ve been living completely off of my poker winnings. They’ve been small and infrequent as of late, so needless to say it’s been stressful for me - I’m going to write up a small checklist to make sure I read every day before I start playing and probably halfway through the day too.

Some notes-to-self, in random order:

1) Play your standard game. Don’t get fancy and over-think a situation.
2) Don’t even start thinking about past losses. Think of the best decision at hand.
3) STOP AND THINK in key hands; there’s no need to rush. Run the whole hand through, and pin a hand range on your opponent. Now see what the best course of action is, and do it.
4) If you take a beat or get outplayed, take a break, run through the hand and see what you did wrong/right, then get right back to playing. Learn from any mistakes. If you really are tilting, go work out, eat and take a shower. Get your mind off the poker for a while.
5) If you find yourself at a table you can’t beat, then leave! Don’t try to outplay someone who’s constantly taking money from you - that is unless they’re just a lucky LAG who’s been running good.
6) DON’T BLUFF a calling station.
7) Don’t play two tables unless you’re feeling very strong about your play.
8 ) Don’t play above your bankroll limits
9) Make sure that if you’re playing cash, you think EVERY action through. (I’ve been playing like sh-t in rings lately)
10) Have fun! It’s a game! Hustle the fish and feel good about it - small stakes holdem is a very beatable game, and you can do it with an ounce of discipline and a bit of luck.

Now all I have to do is post some “Hellmuthian” quotes on my mirror that I can stare at 25 hours a day:

“I am great”
“I am the best”
“I will win”
“I love myself”

:/

-ChuckTs