What do you do to stay focused while playing poker?

manolo salazar

manolo salazar

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Most of the time I have had some problems to keep focus while I am playing . In the same way, trying to remember some strategy that I have learned before it is difficult for me.
Could you tell me what can I do to improve this issue?:(
 
monstr999999

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Firstly - no alcohol ...
Secondly - the analysis of players at the table ...
In the third - always think before going ..
And most importantly - good luck !!!
:marchmell
 
Eric_A

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Drink tea with lemon and enjoy it playing poker
 
Slav4obaby

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Stay focused on tables do not do things like watching videos or drinking alcohol
 
vov4ik

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When I start playing I make myself tea or coffee and start the game, you need to focus on playing without alcohol to make the right decisions and play less on bad cards, I wish good luck to you so that you can focus on the game well!
 
Andrew Popov

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If you find it difficult to keep concentration for a long time - try to abandon long tournaments. Play short sessions in Cache Games or Sit-and-Go game.

Secondly - try to experiment with the number of simultaneously open tables. If you play one or two tables - maybe you just get bored, not enough action at a long table. This will fill your attention and allow you to be less distracted by other activities because of boredom.

Thirdly - include some not very dynamic series, which you can watch "one eye", not forgetting about the game.

Alcohol has already been said above, but about the video I have my opinion. Try what will be best for you personally.
 
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SlavaUa

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For me helps watching live streams like on You Tube or Twitch, i am looking their play and try to do same.
 
infonazar

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I always play concentrated.
And I'm not starting to play if I feel that I can not concentrate.
 
MrPokerVerse

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I like to play a short table SnG during the work week. If that goes well, then a small field MTT. On the weekend there has not been to many times where focus is an issue.
 
sryulaw

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usually puts calm music, classical music, I turn off the television, and things that distract me. the problem and that lately I do not have time to play as much poker as before. But these tips works well with me with direct play
 
Comdemn

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Most of the time I have had some problems to keep focus while I am playing . In the same way, trying to remember some strategy that I have learned before it is difficult for me.
Could you tell me what can I do to improve this issue?:(



I do not follow any strategy. I play a maximum of 3 tables at a time, so I can concentrate and constantly change my game and adjust to the game of opponents. I act automatically, maybe you just do not have enough experience. Usually when I play I watch an interesting video (for example, a video about survival in the forest), I do not know how to whom, but it does not bother me, but on the contrary helps to concentrate and I play better! Try to find yourself some kind of task while you are playing, maybe this will help you! Good luck!
 
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bkkblues99

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Like most people I have also struggled with this. But in the last 2/3 months I have been following this and it has certainly helped (and showing in my results too). I am not saying I am now perfectly focused or anything, but I can play 7/8 hour sessions comfortably and near optimum focus. This is what I do:

1. Start with coffee for the morning session . A double Expresso. Wakes me up and hey, gotta love them Java! Of course accompanied by breakfast.

2. Medidate for 10 minutes. Nothing fancy. Just simple vipassanna (which is a breathing practice meditation for mindfulness). I admit there are days when I skip on this and I feel I am less focused on those days. On those days I do vipassanna during the breaks sometimes.

2. Register in tournaments.

3. Put on music. Whatever I am in the mood for. Ranging from Rolling Stones-Dua Lipa- Pink Floyd- AC/DC-Marconi Union- Drake- Rihanna - Bangla Songs. Whatever I like at that point. (My music taste range is wider than the hand range of Gus Hansen).

4. On the first break, get Green tea with honey (or zero cal sugar). Get a big flask full. Which easily lasts through an hour.

5. During breaks, get up. Move around (not just to and from the toilet). Sometimes do a few push-ups and situps along with some shadow boxing (specially if I am on or near a FT and am pretty pumped).

6. Sit down and take a few deep breaths in and out.

7. At 1:55 PM break, get lunch (which is prepared by that time. I am lucky I don't have to prepare it myself).

8. More green tea! Basically a flask every 2 hours.

This is the ideal routine for me to keep focus. Doesn't always go that way. But I am trying to keep this a linear and regular routine as it seems to be working for me.

P.S Some days if I can wake up real early, like 6:30 ish, I go for a jog in the park and then comeback home, shower up, get a big breakfast and then start the session along with the aforementioned stuff. I think in those sessions I am even more focused.
 
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ulgromkii

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I do not play more than two tournaments at the same time. I'm digesting a thermos of tea or coffee so that I do not get distracted later. I smoke cigarettes right after the game. No music and an outsider that can distract and without the telly, turn off all the phones, because even a minor call can knock down the mood. players at the table who is playing what hand and what bets with which hand you make notes or write down in a notebook.
 
caterina12

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First - without alcohol ...
Second - analyze the players at the table ...
Third - always think before leaving.
And most importantly - luck! bravo ... really
monstr999999 ,,,,
 
Awrpze

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I usually like to listen to beat-heavy music or a poker-related podcast. I need to play between 2-6 tables, otherwise things feel too slow for me. I prefer Sit and Go's and short cash game sessions to grinding tournies (however mixed game tournies keep me interested quite well).
 
AizenFalck

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It can be crazy to say but in my best gaems I always played distracted haha I was like watching a movie or cooking and just playing everytime it was my turn, considered position bet and hand and give the best on it. That way I achieved good places at big tournaments haha :D
 
K

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I drink tea. I stay off of my phone. I make relevant conversations at the table. I don't stray from topics but if a person is willing to open up about why they made a decision in a hand, i actively explore it. It teaches me about them.
 
A

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I make notes on players and analyze how they play. there are many strategies to remember so I take my time, analyze hoe I have played a similar hand before and what the outcome was, if negative how could I have played it differently.
 
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If you lose your interest in the game quickly, I think a short break is needed, a few days maybe a week later, no problem with concentration.
Before you start playing any of the factors that disturb you during the game,
 
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clasrasmusso

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It's about being focused and focused when playing. When I play long tournaments, I usually watch sports on TV.
 
JBGoode

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It really depends on serious the game is. If its a .11 buy in for $500 GTD hyper turbo. I'm normally relaxing on the couch, wathcing TV, drinking a beer, and hanging out with my wife. If it's a $65 weekend buy in at the casino, I cutting up with the other players having a good time, and keeping a good focus on what everyone is playing, but without the sunglasses, headphones, and monatone personality you see out of serious players. Now when I'm playing in a Major Event $500+. I got my hat on, sunglasses, headphones, got my nicotine patch applied, and I'm watching every move everyone makes.
 
GRIN281289

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I am listening to the music. it helps me stay focused.
 
K

Karen Pate

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music

I love listening to music as I play poker....it helps with thinking an focus on players ...an how they play :)
 
N

neptun1914

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Well for me ideal situation is during a weekend, nobody in home so that i can entirely focus on the game. I listen to music and try to monitor and analyze other players on the table. I have some chips to play with near my laptop and i am not in a hurry for anything so that there is no pressure or hurrying up.

Having said that this ideal situation happens very rarely. Most frequently i play after work during business days or if it is a weekend i have other things to do later which is distraction. Sometimes i even play from my phone because i needed to get out quickly or i try to do several things at the same time. Considering all of this i feel happy if i have the opportunity to at least play from my laptop with my hud and have 2 or 3 hours to play an MTT.
 
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