is it possible to be a good poker player and have depression

L

lowlimitfish

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 24, 2014
Total posts
36
Chips
0
I want to be a good player maybe a pro someday but my depression and anxietys hold be back somewhat, cause when i tilt i tilt hard. I have low confidence and a concentration spam of about 5 seconds so i miss alot of tells.

Also i have really bad memory and for poker you need this so you can put people on a range to figure out if a flop helped someone.

I have a bad habit too think everyone is pulling a fast one and trying to bluff me out most pots, please can someone tell me how i eliminate this from my game im calling people down with TPTK alot and im losing money and chips in mtts because of it.

Good players are good players because they have been in a certain situation a thousand times before and they know how to react, i have my self but my minds a blank in these situation i don't remember being in the situations so in theory whenever i play im always behind even if i'm ahead because my opponent will have the beating of me if that makes sense.

Also i don't leave the house much i would describe myself as quite the little hermet, so when im on tilt or on a bad run so instead of the walk and head clearing im stuck in the house staring at my computer and convincing myself i will do just fine and try and play through the tilt.... Bad idea and 1.7k loss shows
 
Last edited:
JPoling

JPoling

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
May 13, 2014
Total posts
756
Chips
0
I got couple suggestions for you. First one, being a hermit, hey me too :) I hardly go out, but you need to pick up a hobby besides poker you can do at home whatever it might be. Video games, readomg, tv, movies etc. 2nd. Calling all the way down with TPTK? That sounds like a very common novice mistake. I use to do it all the time. I would suggest maybe reading some poker strategies, take some notes down and try to implement it in your game. Yes, I know studying is boring. But it will honestly help. Even if you just take 1 day of all studying...i did almost 1 month of nothing but studying and note taking. I got some helpful websites/youtubers if you ever wanna check then out.
 
bullishwwd

bullishwwd

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Total posts
5,717
Awards
13
US
Chips
233
"Everything" that you mentioned that you suffer from IS NOT GOOD FOR PLAYING POKER, period.

So, you will need to work on (get help with) overcoming these issues or you will never be successful at poker and likely not many other things in life.

A big plus is that you apparently recognize and acknowledge this fact ... don't be depressed because this is a really good thing. :)

Good luck, Wally
 
AlfieAA

AlfieAA

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Total posts
10,689
Awards
4
Chips
0
"Everything" that you mentioned that you suffer from IS NOT GOOD FOR PLAYING POKER, period.

So, you will need to work on (get help with) overcoming these issues or you will never be successful at poker and likely not many other things in life.

A big plus is that you apparently recognize and acknowledge this fact ... don't be depressed because this is a really good thing. :)

Good luck, Wally

wally, you cant tell someone not to be depressed man, it doesnt work like that...and saying that someone will never be good at poker or anything else in life is absolute s hite...

some of the most talented people on this earth have mental health problems...i could rattle off about 20 people that are elite in their chosen fields...

ofcourse you can be succesfull at poker and anything else you put effort into, regardless of if you are a depressive or not...


take it from someone who knows what they are talking about :)
 
johnysprinkles

johnysprinkles

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Jun 20, 2014
Total posts
8
Chips
0
I dabbled in this topic for my opening post here at CC "The life of a Grinder" and gave a brief story about how events, results impact my thought process and attitude.

We cannot escape tilt, those who advise you to "stop tilting" are giving advise that they themselves are guaranteed to not follow. An important step in improving your poker game is accept the reality of the situation, accept that tilt is part of the overall game, and don't aspire to not tilt, instead work on tilting better.

I Don't know how many of you have read Tommy Angelo's "Elements of Poker" but I encourage everyone to pick up this book and I will try to summarize Tommy although his chapters on tilt are far too good to be summarized.

~~Everyone tilts, everyone has an A-game that they start out playing. When we tilt not all of us (in fact, very few but the elite) players have a B-game. Most of us start out with tilting taking us for an immediate dip to our E and F game. By recognizing a few factors which cause us to tilt, then recognizing in what form our tilt materializes we can begin the process of "trimming off" the tilt. ~~

Like anything else in life poker requires hard work and dedication, temporary success can come to those with an abundance of natural talent for the game, but it will not keep them healthy and does not guarantee longevity. Focus on where you need to tighten up, work on your mindset and approach to the game. Remember that to be successful in poker it is more important HOW you think, not WHAT you think about.

Aaron
 
Four Dogs

Four Dogs

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 13, 2005
Total posts
4,298
Awards
1
Chips
17
Curious about your depression. Is it some sort of chemical imbalance or is it from sitting in front of a computer screen all day with no human interactions and no interests other than poker to give your life meaning? Poker is a poor substitute for a real life.
 
W

WiZZiM

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Total posts
5,008
Chips
0
I dabbled in this topic for my opening post here at CC "The life of a Grinder" and gave a brief story about how events, results impact my thought process and attitude.

We cannot escape tilt, those who advise you to "stop tilting" are giving advise that they themselves are guaranteed to not follow. An important step in improving your poker game is accept the reality of the situation, accept that tilt is part of the overall game, and don't aspire to not tilt, instead work on tilting better.

I Don't know how many of you have read Tommy Angelo's "Elements of Poker" but I encourage everyone to pick up this book and I will try to summarize Tommy although his chapters on tilt are far too good to be summarized.

~~Everyone tilts, everyone has an A-game that they start out playing. When we tilt not all of us (in fact, very few but the elite) players have a B-game. Most of us start out with tilting taking us for an immediate dip to our E and F game. By recognizing a few factors which cause us to tilt, then recognizing in what form our tilt materializes we can begin the process of "trimming off" the tilt. ~~

Like anything else in life poker requires hard work and dedication, temporary success can come to those with an abundance of natural talent for the game, but it will not keep them healthy and does not guarantee longevity. Focus on where you need to tighten up, work on your mindset and approach to the game. Remember that to be successful in poker it is more important HOW you think, not WHAT you think about.

Aaron

love it! perfect post right here ;)
 
teepack

teepack

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Total posts
2,317
Awards
1
Chips
14
I'mn going to give you the same advice my golf coach gave me when I was struggling: lay off two weeks, and then quit. Every personal trait you described is terrible for poker. Can't handle a bad beat. Don't know when to stop. Get too emotionally wrapped up in the outcome of your session. Have a bad memory. Can't read your opponents. Dude, quit before you do some serious harm to yourself emotionally and/or physically.
 
suby_rafael

suby_rafael

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Total posts
1,039
Chips
0
Yes any poker player can suffer from depression and i believe it will help you as time goes on to make better decisions poker wise if you care about making a living out of it.

Is it possible to quickly cure it ? :canabis: Probably not,not many have managed to stay completely symptom free for more then weeks or months at a time.

It all comes down to really getting to know yourself and what causes your issues though. Medicine and pills are crap, suppresses all kinds of s***. :icon_colo But if you learn to understand the way you are reacting in certain situations and even how you think you can learn to avoid or manipulate your thought process.

I am by no means saying this is easy, It's really damn hard work that takes a lot of time, effort and discipline. It also takes a lot of will. Only then can you commit to it.

Just keep in mind that if you don't try to change, nothing ever will. Also remember that you are the boss over yourself, not your emotions. What you truly want to do, you can do. :rock:
 
veltins

veltins

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Total posts
2,756
Awards
2
JP
Chips
66
i have only one solution for you .. go and work a full time Job ... once you are preoccupied yourself fulltime in a Job , you will have less time to think about tilting in your loss at poker.. now Play poker only in the Weekend for fun or sometimes for one big time like Play gd mtts .. dont think about earning from poker like pros..even remember the very best of poker pros also go broke at sometime and has been through the mental depressions.. poker is not an easy game , it is a mental game . so you Need to be 100% before playing poker.. so better go out of home and do Job . that is the best way to get guarented Money. Hope my 2 Cents advice does suit you
 
Martinez

Martinez

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Total posts
288
Chips
0
One of the things you mention is not a good memory, that is what player notes are for so that you don't have to try and keep everything in your head.
You feel everyone is trying to pull a fast one over you, don't worry about it because they may well could be but at the same time many of your players at the table think the same thing.
Depression is something that cannot be cured by a few words, seek out professional advice. Depression is a medical condition and just like many other medical problems there are ways to combat it.
With regard to your short term memory, find ways to train yourself to memorise poker hands even if it means going over the same thing hundreds of times eventually things will stick in your mind. It's just the same as a top athlete, lots and lots of repetetive training.
Lastly. as many others have said find something besides poker to occupy your mind and get away from the poker table for a while.
 
L

LukeSilver

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 3, 2009
Total posts
477
Awards
1
Chips
24
Hey Tyler welcome to 2+2 im glad your been inspired since seeing i win but heres the thing, your bad at maths bad at memory and would lie down and say you deserve to die just you always did when we were together. ending up deliberately losing. you playing poker will just result in you losing all your money and committing suicide.

why dont you go into sales you were always good at that and theres lots of money in sales.

ps were never getting back together.
 
tothbopo

tothbopo

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Total posts
1,433
Chips
0
I will say that poker helps me I play for relaxing and clearing my mind
 
trolaAa

trolaAa

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Total posts
274
Chips
0
this is one of the reasons that helpd to know that you are not still a good poker player....just like me :D and many more
 
JPoling

JPoling

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
May 13, 2014
Total posts
756
Chips
0
Hey Tyler welcome to 2+2 im glad your been inspired since seeing i win but heres the thing, your bad at maths bad at memory and would lie down and say you deserve to die just you always did when we were together. ending up deliberately losing. you playing poker will just result in you losing all your money and committing suicide.

why dont you go into sales you were always good at that and theres lots of money in sales.

ps were never getting back together.

WTF?
 
Jblocher1

Jblocher1

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Total posts
2,645
Chips
0
Hey Tyler welcome to 2+2 im glad your been inspired since seeing i win but heres the thing, your bad at maths bad at memory and would lie down and say you deserve to die just you always did when we were together. ending up deliberately losing. you playing poker will just result in you losing all your money and committing suicide.

why dont you go into sales you were always good at that and theres lots of money in sales.

ps were never getting back together.


OMG.... This made me lol so hard. Wth Luke?
 
Larryvillain

Larryvillain

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Total posts
94
Chips
0
My experience is that the journey of becoming a successful poker player over the course of several years built my confidence and self esteem via small daily victories that added up to major accomplishments. Everyone is different, but my poker career was very therapeutic for me.
 
J

JamaicanKid

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
May 25, 2013
Total posts
515
Awards
1
Chips
0
If you have all of these problems that you have listed then sorry Poker is not for you..................work on your problems by seeking professional/medical help..............If you overcome these hindrances then you can try poker if not then poker is unhealthy for you..
 
J

JamaicanKid

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
May 25, 2013
Total posts
515
Awards
1
Chips
0
Hey Tyler welcome to 2+2 im glad your been inspired since seeing i win but heres the thing, your bad at maths bad at memory and would lie down and say you deserve to die just you always did when we were together. ending up deliberately losing. you playing poker will just result in you losing all your money and committing suicide.

why dont you go into sales you were always good at that and theres lots of money in sales.

ps were never getting back together.

*silence* *crickets* *whistles and exits thread* >>>>>>
 
MTCashman

MTCashman

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Total posts
3,742
Awards
78
Chips
568
I'm sure you could be successful, but poker could definitely make your depression worse.... it can be a painful game
 
bullishwwd

bullishwwd

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Total posts
5,717
Awards
13
US
Chips
233
I want to be a good player maybe a pro someday but my depression and anxietys hold be back somewhat, cause when i tilt i tilt hard. I have low confidence and a concentration spam of about 5 seconds so i miss alot of tells.

Also i have really bad memory and for poker you need this so you can put people on a range to figure out if a flop helped someone.

I have a bad habit too think everyone is pulling a fast one and trying to bluff me out most pots, please can someone tell me how i eliminate this from my game im calling people down with TPTK alot and im losing money and chips in mtts because of it.

Good players are good players because they have been in a certain situation a thousand times before and they know how to react, i have my self but my minds a blank in these situation i don't remember being in the situations so in theory whenever i play im always behind even if i'm ahead because my opponent will have the beating of me if that makes sense.

Also i don't leave the house much i would describe myself as quite the little hermet, so when im on tilt or on a bad run so instead of the walk and head clearing im stuck in the house staring at my computer and convincing myself i will do just fine and try and play through the tilt.... Bad idea and 1.7k loss shows
The most common cause of depression is when a person is caught between the need to give up something and their will to hold on to it or their anger at having to give it up.

It is still a good thing that you recognize these issues and are addressing them vice being in denial.
 
T

thatgreekdude

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Total posts
1,024
Awards
1
Chips
1
I'm prone to depression, I often feel lonely and isolated. For me poker gave me clarity it was something that would distract me from my own thoughts and problems, I became absorbed in it, granted I sucked for a long time and lost a lot of money but I was determined to get better and be the best player I could be and I ended up paying for my own holiday abroad which I thoroughly enjoyed and needed after the year i've had (stress from college/general stress) Absolutely every single one of us is capable of achieving great things, don't let anybody take that away from you! As for being a hermit i'm similar in a lot of ways I do enjoy hobbies that require me to be a little isolated (poker,video games) but I often find that seeing friends/family or going for a game of football at the park or anything to get you out of the house does you the world of good, it's hard to be depressed when your around people you can have fun with! Good luck with poker and I hope that your depression improves!
 
ScottieDuncan

ScottieDuncan

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 23, 2012
Total posts
1,286
Awards
1
Chips
1
I suffered from some of your problems. Take time off and find another past time. Take time and recoup and regroup. Evaluate what responses you have had and relax. Take all the replies to heart and re-evaluate. Remember Patience is a virtue.
 
C

Chemist

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
May 17, 2009
Total posts
1,480
Chips
0
wally, you cant tell someone not to be depressed man, it doesnt work like that...and saying that someone will never be good at poker or anything else in life is absolute s hite...

some of the most talented people on this earth have mental health problems...i could rattle off about 20 people that are elite in their chosen fields...

ofcourse you can be succesfull at poker and anything else you put effort into, regardless of if you are a depressive or not...


take it from someone who knows what they are talking about :)

Inspiring, thanks for making that post Alfie,
(although maybe wally was also kinda right in some things),
{together the posts make a good balance}. :willy:
 
PapaC

PapaC

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Total posts
2,798
Chips
0
Hi lowlimitfish. I am Bipolar myself and I get real depressed sometimes and those are the worst times for me to be playing poker. One question,do you take meds for your disorder??I do and have for many years,but it is still there at times. When I'm down I find other things to do for awhile and that helps me. Sitting in the house all the time is bad for you. Right now I have my laptop out on the porch doing my posts. Just try something different. It will help
 
Top