The comfort zone

bigjace · Nov 18, 2005

I've just read something Rob posted in FP's thread about being in a comfort zone and its time for me to ask some advice.
The last 3 weeks or so i've been at tables where i know i'm the best player but i'm playing poorly.Whilst i'm still winning i know i am not maximizing my profit and i feel like i'm falling out of love with the game.I've tried moving limits(up and down) and changing games(omaha etc) but the hunger isn't there and i'm hardly bothering playing now.
I've made numerous posts to other people having the same problem so i suppose i know my own answer,but i think i just need confirmation from my fellow members as to what i should do.
Basically i'm asking what do you do when you go through these phases.

tenbob · Nov 18, 2005

bigjace said:
The last 3 weeks or so i've been at tables where i know i'm the best player but i'm playing poorly..

OK, YOU KNOW your the best player at the table. You need to try to ask yourself why youve lost interest in the game. Is the limits your playing at too low ? I know, youve said that youve tried moving up/down the limits.

But the thing is, and its the money you play for NEEDS to mean something to you. If your making $1000 a day in your job, but playing €.50-$1 limit, then raking a pot of $10 will never generate much interest for you.

Re-Read FP's post, set you self some definate goals, do what I do, I aim to pay for a holiday once a year from poker. Going skiing in 6 weeks, and aiming for Vegas next year. Aim to treat yourself to something that you dont need but would really like.

Otherwise a break from the game is called for.

Lost the biggest game ive played for a while last night on the 2nd hand, my set of 10's was taken down by a pot stealers ALL-IN on the flop. He hit a runner-runner straight ! Dis-heartened, NOPE ! Cant wait to play the donk again, but next week i might be dis-illusioned and take a few weeks off.

t1riel · Nov 18, 2005

This is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend you. You know you're the best player? How? One of the things about poker is you can never stop learning. If you think you are the best player at a particular table, you obviously don't have the mindset to learn from other players. Also, you tend to lose interest in the game when you are losing often. These streaks happen and once they end, you'll love the game again. You're right. It is a phase. When I usually get into these phases, I take a break from poker. In the next week or so, I miss it and I'll start playing again. Usually, I get back on track. Good Luck

bigjace · Nov 18, 2005

t1riel said:
This is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend you. You know you're the best player? How? One of the things about poker is you can never stop learning.
Good point mate,a lot of the players i have played before and are,shall we say,rubbish!

Actually its a valid point because even the players i don't know i instantly lump in with the fish and i think thats my problem.I start playing any old rubbish and try to out play them on the flop.Its just to relieve the boredom mainly and i don't want to go too high in the limits and put my entire bankroll on the line when i'm in this mindset.
I think my confidence is bordering on arrogance and thats not a nice trait in anybody.
Too be honest i think i'll take a week off and drink beer or something.

no offence taken mate,i prefer a truthful response.

F Paulsson · Nov 18, 2005

TB makes an excellent point: You may need to set yourself some goals, if you're a goal-oriented person (and lord knows I am myself).

A book might be a good way to find some inspiration to your game. For a person in your situation, you may come across some very interesting tidbits if you read Schoonmaker's "Psychology of Poker" (if you haven't already). You won't learn any poker strategy, but you may find out things about yourself that will surprise you!

Dorkus Malorkus · Nov 18, 2005

Take a break. If you're not enjoying playing and 'forcing' yourself to play (a) you won't be anywhere near your best, and (b) there's no point in playing anyway.

bigjace · Nov 18, 2005

Thanks everybody for your responses.I think a break is in order and i'm going to set myself a goal for when i get back to the tables(maybe a bit of sunshine is in order!)I think i've been playing a bit too much in the last few months and i'm a bit pokered out.
Might nip down the libary and check that book out FP,gives me something else to do while i'm not playing.(will try to make the titan game though,dead money for you sharks to feed on!)

robwhufc · Nov 18, 2005

Yep, been there Jace. Got to a stage a couple of weeks ago that I was in final 3 of a pokerstars 9 player SnG and was so bored I just turned computer off. Just take a break as Dorkus said, clear out your accounts, put a round figure into your favourite and try to run it up as much as you can before christmas!

bigjace · Nov 18, 2005

robwhufc said:
Yep, been there Jace. Got to a stage a couple of weeks ago that I was in final 3 of a pokerstars 9 player SnG and was so bored I just turned computer off. Just take a break as Dorkus said, clear out your accounts, put a round figure into your favourite and try to run it up as much as you can before christmas!

Its strange how it creeps up on you and you don't realise its happening.I went on pokerime tonight and won a couple of $2stts then switched to ring games (just little 10/20 cents)and was $60 up in 30 mins(some awful players there everybody!)Then the boredom kicked in and i lost $50 in about an hour by playing hands i would never normally play.I'm just glad it was free money i was using as its a sure way to being broke when you're chasing 4 outers.I still ended up about $30 ahead but that was down to some awful play by my opponents more than good play by me.
When i get interested again i am going to kill that site,i guarantee that whatever you raise pre flop you will get at least 1 call.(with crappy suited cards normally)

buckster436 · Nov 19, 2005

Another thing Jace is you could make it like your job, Now you all might laugh, but when something comes up and i am supposed to go somewhere i say I cant go, i am working, ( i am retired by the way ) and they say what are you talking about, you dont work, so i reply, my job now is playing poker, and my kids and friends laugh at me. But the point i am trying to make is Treat Playing Poker Like a Job. People usually try to do there best at their jobs, and if i sit down to play and treat it like a job i usually play a good game, on the other hand if i dont feel to good and dont care or if something is bothering me i play poorly. So act like its your job and do your best and you might see a change.
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