Free Mental Game Advice from a Qualified Coach.

Danjwarburton

Danjwarburton

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Hello CC members,

I am a Psychologist turned Mental Games Coach who specialises at assisting people at a Microstakes level.

I have a very firm grasp on not just the Mental Game, but Psychology as a whole and also the epistemology and methodologies associated with the process of information gathering.

I am here to offer free suggestions to any psychological based questions or comments you may have. This is definitely a prominent area in poker as without your mind being in optimal condition, you cannot make accurate plays and will lose money.

If you have struggled to break past a certain level, or always seem to spew chips off then I'm here to help. Post anything you want to now and let's see... ;)
 
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XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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hello, thank you for help

have problems to release pressure after game

feels that after long time of concentration on games [MTT], headache....
tried to play tennis, hiking, as an alternative, however not that effective

thank you for any suggestion in advance.

another one is....high levels of blinds, how to know who is scared to call big bets, who is not, by table dynamic or any tells from hand history or metagames?
 
cardsking

cardsking

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Its really nice to know that :) maybe in future haha
 
Randall McMurphy

Randall McMurphy

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Do you recommend electroshock therapy for tilting players? :)
 
Danjwarburton

Danjwarburton

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XXPXXP said:
hello, thank you for help

have problems to release pressure after game

feels that after long time of concentration on games [MTT], headache....
tried to play tennis, hiking, as an alternative, however not that effective

thank you for any suggestion in advance.

another one is....high levels of blinds, how to know who is scared to call big bets, who is not, by table dynamic or any tells from hand history or metagames?
Click to expand...

As you play MTTs, follow the 20:20:20 rule to reduce strain. Every 20 minutes look at an object at least 20 meters away for 20 seconds. After and before each of your sessions, keep a notepad or journal next to you to vent any and all emotions and feelings onto. Spend at least 10 minutes writing about WHATEVER just to clear your unconscious mind.

As for knowing who is scared to call big bets, this is more an external thing that a Standard Poker Coach will be able to help you with. This is beyond my area of expertise.

Randall McMurphy said:
Do you recommend electroshock therapy for tilting players? :)
Click to expand...

HaHaHaHa..

Maybe if you had asked 60 years ago, Not so much nowadays! :)
 
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RustyChips

RustyChips

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What do you think about meditation before playing? Do you think it helps? I think it kind of puts me in a too mellow mood, almost sluggish. Do you advise to do it before a poker session or some other time?

thanks.
 
Danjwarburton

Danjwarburton

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I go along with the mantra of:

"If it works, do it; If it doesn't, do something else!"

If you meditating helps, then go ahead. However, I'd normally say to people a warm up like the one below:

Review some theory
Review your goals for the session
Review your most common signals that you are about to tilt and the solutions for them. This includes writing in your thoughts and feelings journal.
Take a deep breath to focus yourself.
Say a sentence to put you in the correct mindset (Something like "This is going to be a great session for learning the game and I am focused and ready to make the correct decisions at the table... regardless of the result").
Start playing

What do you think of that warm-up?
 
RustyChips

RustyChips

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Danjwarburton said:
I go along with the mantra of:

"If it works, do it; If it doesn't, do something else!"

If you meditating helps, then go ahead. However, I'd normally say to people a warm up like the one below:

Review some theory
Review your goals for the session
Review your most common signals that you are about to tilt and the solutions for them. This includes writing in your thoughts and feelings journal.
Take a deep breath to focus yourself.
Say a sentence to put you in the correct mindset (Something like "This is going to be a great session for learning the game and I am focused and ready to make the correct decisions at the table... regardless of the result").
Start playing

What do you think of that warm-up?
Click to expand...

I think I actually like it. I seem to go into a session with doom and gloom. Some positive thinking cant hurt, right?
 
Danjwarburton

Danjwarburton

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Some positive thinking isn't usually a bad idea, just make sure it isn't unrealistic.

An example of unrealistic positive thinking is:

"It doesn't matter how I play or the decisions I make on the tables, as long as I gain the experience... that is all that matters"

NEVER THINK LIKE THAT.

You still need to take responsibility and stay in the real world (not some dream world where being an idiot doesnt matter, because it really does matter).
However, starting with a focused mindset open to potential (instead of starting assuming you are going to lose) will help a lot.

This is a great read=> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-fulfilling_prophecy
 
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