Controlling Emotions For Long Time Periods

n3rv

n3rv

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Hi guys,

I enjoy playing poker and when I am in the right mood and on my A-game I can grind and double-up a couple of times quite quickly at the start of my sessions (generally peaking about 20 minutes in).

However, after that initial time period of intense concentration I quickly change moods and can assume donk/recreational mode far too easily for my liking. I know this mood enough now to take my money off the table, however it frustrates me when I can't trust my B/C/D-game enough to grind at the tables for a longer period of time.

Often, when I recognise I am no longer on my A-game and I am up a few buy-ins, I will resume playing with lower stacks, but it will still too often lead to tilt and destruction of my previous good decisions.

I hear players like Negreanu who says the way he got better was working out an hourly rate and forcefully playing for a time period each day no matter what but it often backfires for me and makes me chase even more-so.

I am at my best when I am just playing poker for short bursts in the right mood. The problem is I generally can't sustain that optimal determined mood for greater than 20 minutes.

Is there anything you guys do to stay in the zone for longer sessions? Failing that, what do you do when you want to play poker but know you are not on your A-game?

As always, thank in advance for any help. I hope this thread can improve someone else's game as well.
 
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Arjonius

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What do you do that helps when you have to focus and/or exercise self-discipline for more than 20 minutes IRL? The first thing I'd do is think about how to adapt those things to use while playing poker.
 
suby_rafael

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Try short breaks

I am pretty sure that you are talking about cash games. I would advice you to take short breaks of a few minutes every 30 minutes that is sitting out. This is because you mentioned hat you play at your best for short sessions. I did find this helpful myself. Or if you continue playing the next good thing to do is to play more solid and tighten up your game a little and be disciplined. It is easier said than done but you have try to make the changes according to your playing style.
 
warturtle7

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After those 20 minutes or so maybe you should move a limit down so you lose less (or even don't lose) when you are not playing your A-game.
 
steffdbird

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re n3rv

Hi guys,

I enjoy playing poker and when I am in the right mood and on my A-game I can grind and double-up a couple of times quite quickly at the start of my sessions (generally peaking about 20 minutes in).

However, after that initial time period of intense concentration I quickly change moods and can assume donk/recreational mode far too easily for my liking. I know this mood enough now to take my money off the table, however it frustrates me when I can't trust my B/C/D-game enough to grind at the tables for a longer period of time.

Often, when I recognise I am no longer on my A-game and I am up a few buy-ins, I will resume playing with lower stacks, but it will still too often lead to tilt and destruction of my previous good decisions.

I hear players like Negreanu who says the way he got better was working out an hourly rate and forcefully playing for a time period each day no matter what but it often backfires for me and makes me chase even more-so.

I am at my best when I am just playing poker for short bursts in the right mood. The problem is I generally can't sustain that optimal determined mood for greater than 20 minutes.

Is there anything you guys do to stay in the zone for longer sessions? Failing that, what do you do when you want to play poker but know you are not on your A-game?

As always, thank in advance for any help. I hope this thread can improve someone else's game as well.
Hi yeah you should deffo have short sessions and slightly longer breaks as guys above have suggested :D

GL at the tables :)
 
Lheticus

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I have a very similar problem--as a result, I pretty much do universally poor at MTTs. One thing I'd like to say is that I really don't think there is such a thing as a "B" "C" or "D" game. You're either in a mental place where you can make the correct decisions, or not. "A" game or "F" game--there is no middle ground.
 
Vhyre

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If I know Im not on my A game or wont be I usually just look for a free roll or a micro stakes satellite to get my fix in
 
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