Keeping Up Motivation As A Holdem Newbie - How To Retain Focus and Concentration

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denmark786

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Hello To All

I've just started playing online poker within the last few months on almost a daily basis, until this year I didn't even understand poker!
Having tried a few sites I find pokerstars the one I enjoy most with the variety, I have an issue though. Despite coming 13th in 1 privelage free roll and 3rd in an FPP tourney within the first few weeks, I keep having a motivation issue where for example I could be table chip leader or in the leading few in the event but often around the 90-120 minute mark my focus starts to sway and I will start to play silly hands and give my stack away.

Last night I played in a play money sit and go as I have begun to get fed up of having to deposit then give my cash away, and decided I needed to work through the period when my mind starts to drift.

As usual after a couple of hours I started to lose my stack so decided to sit out for 5 mins, play a hand then sit out again, with a great battle and multiple short breaks I got back into the game and am well chuffed to say I won my first event all be it just being play money the conditions were just the same such as being a MTT event.

I now really wish to get serious and really go for it with cash, and wanted to know if fellow users had any tips and suggestions how they get through periods when concentration is lost and motivation drifts, all advice would be appreciated as I haven't come across any tutorials or strategies that cover this?

Regards,
Denmark786
 
Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

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You might try single table, (6 or 9), player SNG's, another option would be cash tables, as you can, if you have sufficient discipline, just leave the table should you get bored.
Poker is about acquiring information, about the players at your table, about yourself, about the game in general, if you don't find this interesting enough to hold your concentration, you are probably focusing only on your cards & your chances of winning each particular hand, it's called being results orientated, & it will cost you as much time & money as you are willing to donate.
I would suggest you spend some time reading various basic strategy articles on this forum, before you invest more money.
Good luck to you.
 
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rifflemao

rifflemao

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-Weed out all distractions, such as tv.
-Play in an uncluttered environment.
-Take a power nap before the tourney.
-Get tasks\chores done beforehand.
-Observe and take good notes on the players at each table.
-Keep track of your M during the tourney.
-When you're not in a hand, try to range the players in the hand.
-Do some yoga and or meditate before playing.
 
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Misdir

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may i suggest the same as I am quite new to online poker as well--what works for me is to play at least two games at the same time. Even if you play a very micro game or a FR along with your more serious MTT or SNG or cash game, whichever. And during the breaks GET-UP and move around, pee, or get something to drink. That is what those 4 min are four. and have fun. You must enjoy poker or why else spend the countless hours studying, reading, playing. GL
 
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cotta777

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there are some good pointers listed above.

you need to find yourself in your own mind. Whatever it takes for you to be positive and optimistic - You need to do it.

how you handle your emotions and react to day to day variance of life are key to being consistantly a good winner.

Poker isn't just a hobbie if you want to become pro or a winner, its a lifestyle and its a livelyhood
 
lovemiscou

lovemiscou

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i usually play 2 cash games at the same time and read the cc forum to keep busy wile i am playing, so maybe you can try that it works good for me after a long wile at grinding the micro tables
 
Henry Minute

Henry Minute

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i usually play 2 cash games at the same time and read the cc forum to keep busy wile i am playing, so maybe you can try that it works good for me after a long wile at grinding the micro tables
To me this is just a distraction, same as having TV on, particularly as someone new to poker. To keep busy you should, as others have said, be paying attention to what the other players on your table are doing and taking notes about them.

So far as the OP is concerned, they seem to have found a solution that works for them (the short breaks) but this could lead to them missing some prime opportunities.

If it is a case of having a limited attention span then try playing variants that do not last so long, maybe STTs.
 
Arjonius

Arjonius

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i usually play 2 cash games at the same time and read the cc forum to keep busy wile i am playing, so maybe you can try that it works good for me after a long wile at grinding the micro tables
Keeping busy and focusing on your poker game are not the same thing. Multi-tabling comes with a cost; you can't focus as much of your attention on each table. That's why people who play lots of tables play more straightforward when they play more tables.

As for mixing in non-poker activities, I do it myself. However, it comes with the same cost; I can't focus as much attention on the poker I'm playing. Reading forums et al is essentially a way to avoid doing things that aren't as much fun, like watching and collecting info when I'm not involved in hands. It's definitely not conducive to playing my best.
 
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