Need some advice

PapaC

PapaC

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I've got to the point where I do more replying to treads than I do making my own treads. Maybe I should have made this tread 2 or 3 weeks ago, because it's not going very well with my game and my BRs are going down slowly but surely. About 3 weeks ago I started getting bored with playing poker. Sometimes I would register for a MTT and play it for 30 mins and I would be bored, and wish I had not even played it. And my play after that is plum stupid. So instead of just giving my buy in away like that, I've just been playing very little, but even like that I'm losing. I can't catch a hand for nothing. I sit and fold for an hour, and may catch just enough hands to keep my starting chips or a little more. And the out come is always the same. I either blind out or all in out just trying to get a hand in there. The same is happening at my cash tables. I'm just losing a few $ at a time but it is now adding up fast. That's about all I can say about what is going on. Is anyone else going through this or have you been through it and what did you do? Maybe I should not be playing at all, but many members here say keep trying and that's what I been doing, but it's sure not working. Need Advice
 
starting_at_the_bottom

starting_at_the_bottom

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Sounds like you are just playing because you feel you have to.

I would take a break for a week (perhaps self exclude) and wait until your motivation increases. Perhaps think of an end goal, like putting winnings towards a holiday.

I cant really play MTTs either without getting bored or losing concentration. Its weird because I can play cash games for hours. I guess its knowing I can leave the cash table at any time and take my money with me.
 
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NKGB13

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I've got to the point where I do more replying to treads than I do making my own treads. Maybe I should have made this tread 2 or 3 weeks ago, because it's not going very well with my game and my BRs are going down slowly but surely. About 3 weeks ago I started getting bored with playing poker. Sometimes I would register for a MTT and play it for 30 mins and I would be bored, and wish I had not even played it. And my play after that is plum stupid. So instead of just giving my buy in away like that, I've just been playing very little, but even like that I'm losing. I can't catch a hand for nothing. I sit and fold for an hour, and may catch just enough hands to keep my starting chips or a little more. And the out come is always the same. I either blind out or all in out just trying to get a hand in there. The same is happening at my cash tables. I'm just losing a few $ at a time but it is now adding up fast. That's about all I can say about what is going on. Is anyone else going through this or have you been through it and what did you do? Maybe I should not be playing at all, but many members here say keep trying and that's what I been doing, but it's sure not working. Need Advice

I'm in the same mood buddy. Not sure what's happening. I've made quite good at the freerolls and .25 MTT SNGs grew from 0 to 10 something, then lost it all again. For some reason I keep loosing and also have the boring feeling too.

If I would give you any advice would be find a good poker book or thread and complete it, then try to get back. That's what I'm trying to do.

Sounds like you are just playing because you feel you have to.

I would take a break for a week (perhaps self exclude) and wait until your motivation increases. Perhaps think of an end goal, like putting winnings towards a holiday.

I cant really play MTTs either without getting bored or losing concentration. Its weird because I can play cash games for hours. I guess its knowing I can leave the cash table at any time and take my money with me.

The break. That's what I've been hearing from many ppl. But I would like to use this break productively. Do anyone indicate a good school of poker or book to read during my break? hehe
 
PapaC

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Thanks guys for your replies. At least I see I'm not the only one who gets bored with the game. I have a bigger BR at BCP than at FF, so I'm really going to take a week break from there, and just play a little at BCP unless it gets bad too. And when I come back I think I will drop down a level. It's going to be like I'm out of place, because I've already come through 5nl. But I have to do something to save my BR. GL to you all
 
starting_at_the_bottom

starting_at_the_bottom

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And to clarify. Break doesnt mean just from the tables, it means no poker videos or books. Go to the gym, go for a walk, anything.....just totally remove yourself from poker.
 
jordanbillie

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Well...I will start by saying this is my first post in a year or so. I took a complete break from poker (no playing, no reading, no videos, etc). I think what happens is after playing poker for a while, we feel the need to fill all free time with playing, because more time playing equals more money. When this happened to me, I felt it was not a healthy lifestyle. I took a year or so away and am now ready to play again, with it being a fun approach and with very modest goals. I don't expect to make enough money to retire, I am simply playing with a small bankroll and trying to build it up. It's a personal challenge, not a financial need. I have a much better mental approach to the game and I find myself having fun again, which is why I started playing poker in the first place. I hope you find your way to having fun again, because without it, poker can become very boring.
 
PapaC

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Thanks and that is what I'm going to do starting today. I already played 2 this morning and it's the same. I think I have this "I don't give a crap attitude" There is no way to play my game like that.
 
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lauraPOKER

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Take a break

I agree with starting_at_the_bottom and would take a break. Because it seems you lost the motivation... if you play just for the money, you need to get hold of your inner shark. Otherswise, you will lose more money and spirits.
If your shark is temporarily gone, take a break along with it!!!
Both will be son back!



Sounds like you are just playing because you feel you have to.

I would take a break for a week (perhaps self exclude) and wait until your motivation increases. Perhaps think of an end goal, like putting winnings towards a holiday.

I cant really play MTTs either without getting bored or losing concentration. Its weird because I can play cash games for hours. I guess its knowing I can leave the cash table at any time and take my money with me.
 
Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

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Thanks and that is what I'm going to do starting today. I already played 2 this morning and it's the same. I think I have this "I don't give a crap attitude" There is no way to play my game like that.





You mention posting more than thread making, never a bad idea to spend some time just reading forum threads, reading & now & then offering advice in the learning poker forum is a good way to remind oneself of why you enjoy poker & how far you have advanced. Time off usually works as well.
 
PapaC

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Even though I need a break, I keep thinking I'm giving up, and that is something I don't want to do. Am I playing scared poker? I do seem to be thinking more about losing than I am about winning.
 
bprpm

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If u play and you're feeling bored, you have to stop, never play just you think u have to.... It looks lie you're in one downswing and u are losing some potencial, some confidence, if u agree with me u need to stop, and take some days off... go out with friends, ow wife maybe.... We first need to be good with us then we care about the game... But this days you study a litle... And remember in long term the best players makes the good results....
Hope u get better...
bprpm
 
XXPXXP

XXPXXP

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I think the reason is you don't have enough back-up plan if some situation happened unexpected.
eg: first 30 minutes of MTT if card dead happened , what should I do, -- sacrifice some noodles to poker god:D

my advice is : try to "DISCOVER" where your problems are and solve it like an expert.

good luck.
 
Izissant

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I`m of the view that you should play just for your pleasure and that`s all. Also you should improve your skills continuously and play only in a good mood.. It`s not your work - it`s you hobby so it should bring your joy and a good mood..Otherwise its not your day for the game and you should understand it..)
 
PapaC

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Ok been on break since yesterday, but I am playing at SwC for Bitcoins. There is only 5 chip freerolls, and last night I went from 2 chips to 10.5 chips. There is like a 1 1/2 hour between them. So if or when I get bored, I will just read and hang out with a friend of mine. Thanks guys/gals and GL to you all
 
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Maybe you should stop playing for a while. Come back when you feel you miss poker. Say hello to the cards again and get back to the game in a few weeks!
 
Sil3ntness

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Yes take a break when you feel like poker isn't fun anymore.

Unless you're playing for a living, poker should be entertaining.
 
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UncleConRon

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My reason

I am going though it too.. Its the curse of the queen and her jacks (knights and pages in tarot). She wants us to grind it out give them a chance. I might be superstious, but ask yourself in a game of odds why does this keep happening. Hang in there papa and tell the queen do you want odds or spiritual government intervention. Tell the queen. I often fight with her, but take the spiritual government way. If you hang in their you win. Takes longer that's all.
 
ribaric

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Dont play for a week or 5 days and then go to tournament with less people like sit n go or maybe you colud play spin n goes. Depends on what kind of tournament do you like the most.
 
Al Spath

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If you're not having fun, withdraw funds and find another activity. Yes, activity, being blunt, you are not (it only seems), putting in the effort to learn and earn, and it (seems), like it's not fun LOSING.

There is so much more to poker than just your cards, and coaches like myself are quick to point that out (when you are in a hand or not in a hand). There is lots to read, lots to comment on, and of course, plenty of free instructional poker videos that may allow you to refocus your attention on the important aspects of the game, make you a better player, a winning player, and most of all, a fun loving happy player again.

Check out my 90+ videos on YouTube, it's free, all I ask is that you subscribe and you will be notified when a new one is posted. Good Luck if you stay and try to learn to earn.
 
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If you're not having fun, withdraw funds and find another activity. Yes, activity, being blunt, you are not (it only seems), putting in the effort to learn and earn, and it (seems), like it's not fun LOSING.

There is so much more to poker than just your cards, and coaches like myself are quick to point that out (when you are in a hand or not in a hand). There is lots to read, lots to comment on, and of course, plenty of free instructional poker videos that may allow you to refocus your attention on the important aspects of the game, make you a better player, a winning player, and most of all, a fun loving happy player again.

Check out my 90+ videos on YouTube, it's free, all I ask is that you subscribe and you will be notified when a new one is posted. Good Luck if you stay and try to learn to earn.

Like your comments Al, I tried to follow your videos, but I'm looking more for the concept of Poker for now. A rookie like me sometimes doesn't understand some strategies you expert players use.

Any material to indicate?

BTW, you made me re-think about my bad trend in poker. I did stop a bit to play. But you totally make sense when saying. I'm loosing because I need to improve my strategy and game.

So, let's see what I can do in a short term. My goal is: 100 bucks on my BR until Dec 31.

Starting from Freerolls.
 
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@papac There's nothing wrong with stopping playing for 90 days if you're not digging it.

If you're playing just a single tourney, do something else while it's going. I've done sudoku, read a book, hearthstone, or playdominion.com. The last two can suck a bit when you're in a hand, but really I just click fold for a bunch of time, and every so often I'll watch for a hand or two and look for a spot to steal. When I get something worth playing, then I pay attention. It's probably not optimum, but it's better than getting bored and stacking off.

When things start getting interesting, then whatever I'm doing falls off. I can always quit a game of either hearthstone or dominion if it comes to it.

But if you know you need to be committed mentally to play, then just stop if you can't commit. At least don't do tourney's if they are going too long. And if you're playing bad in cash then quit that as well. There's nothing wrong with doing one round in a cash game then dropping out before the next BB if you don't feel it. After awhile I tend to ask myself if I want to do another round for 10 minutes or not. And If I'm 2-3 from the BB and I feel I'm done, I just quit.

You've got to know when to stop. There's no rule you have to play 40 hours a week or anything. But do what you like. As I said, I swap games sometime because anything can get boring after a month to a year of going all out on it.
 
PapaC

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Thanks again you guys for the replies and advice. Today is day 3 of my break. I'm doing good, and I really don't miss poker right now. But I would never withdraw all my money from a site. I like playing, and learning. I have worked hard with my game for 2 years right here, and it has helped 100%. This won't be the first time I've went through this, and I done the same thing. I'm using SwC as my fix, and there is nothing to lose. I would play other freerolls at my money sites, but it may cause me to open other games. But I will be playing our freerolls here, but I will play them on ACR where I don't have a BR. I need the money on there anyway. Thanks again, and GL to you all.
 
PapaC

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Can't wait till this one is over. I'm getting sick from something and it's not withdrawals from poker. Got a 5 Card Draw freeroll at SwC at 4:10pm and that will be my first game today, and maybe the only one. Been doing a lot of reading, which I like to do anyway. But the truth is that now I have way to much time on my hands, so I hope in a week I will feel different. GL you all
 
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Best thing to do is take a break week or two revitalize maybe a new book on poker then hit it again and you might be alright.
 
STL FAN

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Hope all is going well and glad to meet you. I have seen your replies to others and enjoy reading not just your replies, posts, but posts, replies of all members here because everyone has something to offer. There is a root to your situation; this situation is unique, even if what you feel is universal to all poker players.

The seed from which this has taken root will not go away until you become honest to what is going on with poker, the symptoms are outlined; boredom, bankroll slowly depleting, lack of motivation from results of just those two topics.

The underlying problem is in a form of tilt that comes from attachment to investment? Perhaps expectations of boredom, or loss that goes deeper than the result of X or Y? Look inward and your answer will be more complete than my analysis. Looking into the beginning of a problem will help fix the end result quicker than taking a break from poker because when the problem returns, then not identified, then recognition of the problem will not be done properly to prevent this from happening from the illusion of taking a break?

Just attacking a mental leak will help the brain to relax, focus on new information that is not related to poker, and that is not being played on the felt. Then when reading about the mental part of your game from reflection from within will help with motivation to learn about other parts of the game that are related to your play on the felt. Concentrate on inch worming your game this will help to give your game a mental plan away from poker rather than just taking a break, thinking that a leak will go away, and is going to fix your poker problem long term. Small improvements over time become rewarding then motivation, boredom, other leaks will not weigh on your mind because you will always have a plan in place to fix any part of your game.
 
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