Controlling emotional impulse

Lheticus

Lheticus

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Total posts
1,198
Chips
0
This question is applicable to cash games as well, but has an extremely simple solution--getting up and leaving the table, which cannot be done in tournaments. Very often in tournaments, I find myself tilting for one of two reasons. First, I get bored with folding 20+ hands in a row when I'm on a cold streak and pull something stupid because I don't feel like I'm playing the game. In the other case, I actually tilt almost ON PURPOSE due to boredom or any other reason that I really don't want to be doing this right now--making outlandishly stupid moves because I flat-out don't care about the tournament anymore, even if I'm close to making the money. I am 100% at a loss as to how to overcome this on a mental level--ANY suggestions or other inputs on how to do this will be extremely welcome. Please?
 
S

Swickster007

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 13, 2014
Total posts
175
Chips
0
I honestly have the exact same problem. It's almost like I put the whole tournament into one hand, either double up or get out. Folding gets old especially when you have the chips to play the hands. The best way I've kept from tilting hard is to act like I'm not even in the tournament. Just try and do other things, while returning to your computer from time to time just to fold (most cases). Television helps but definitely don't stare at your computer screen waiting for the cards to show.
 
H

hffjd2000

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Total posts
2,329
Chips
0
One virtue of poker is patience. You have to incorporate in your lifestyle of being patient. I believe its simply trainng will do-like waiting in a long queue etc. Then that virtue will now follow through on your game.
 
A

adepoker11

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 31, 2013
Total posts
74
Chips
0
concentration focus on the game, if you hold the concentration of those minutes vera showing result
 
PokerPete

PokerPete

RIP Logic And Sanity
Loyaler
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Total posts
17,437
Awards
1
Chips
181
First, I get bored with folding 20+ hands in a row when I'm on a cold streak and pull something stupid because I don't feel like I'm playing the game.
ah, but you are playing the game...patience...

My favorite format is the single table SnG, and yes...I'm folding, folding, folding.
How do I fight boredom? Multiple tables. My old PC could only handle 4 simultaneous SnGs on some sites..not a problem with the new rig.
But even with just 4 simultaneous, I'm seeing 4 times the hands per hour.
 
Lheticus

Lheticus

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Total posts
1,198
Chips
0
ah, but you are playing the game...patience...

(sic)How do I fight boredom? Multiple tables. (sic)

Sounds like a good thing to try--I bet I could handle two, at least. The earlier suggestion about doing other things, I find is rather dangerous in my case--I can get more invested in the non-poker things I'm doing than the poker. I'll just have to experiment and see how many tables at once is my speed. The other problem where I get extremely just...DONE with playing poker, well...patience has been an issue for me literally all my life. I feel that just wanting to go do other things will be the biggest problem going forward...the loss of focus this causes has led to more than one heartbreaking all out before the bubble, even recently. Then again...there've been some changes in my ability to focus recently, good ones. I'll just have to experiment with that, too. Thanks to all who replied so far! ^_^
 
bkniefel

bkniefel

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Total posts
525
Awards
1
Chips
0
pete is right, you are playing the game so enjoy that. if not, whats the point right? when you donk off your chips you mine as well play blackjack.. you most likely have better odds.

poker is about patience especially when starting out like the most of us. we all mess up but hardly donk off..

i think you should play more tournaments.. they have the same breaks and it will keep you occupied. thats what i did... it helps you stay focused and busy.. realizing the ups and downs and dealing with the emotions.. you will learn that one table doesnt mean your bankroll.

hope it helps =)
 
Akorps

Akorps

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 1, 2008
Total posts
450
Chips
0
One trick is to take your hand of the mouse, and think until you come to a decision, then put your hand back on the mouse :)

A different part of your brain is in control when you are on tilt, not the rational brain, but the automatic response lizard brain. So you want to give your rational brain a chance to start working again before you click on the mouse :)
 
J

Jay65

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 15, 2013
Total posts
52
Chips
0
The best way I've kept from tilting hard is to act like I'm not even in the tournament. Just try and do other things, while returning to your computer from time to time just to fold (most cases). Television helps but definitely don't stare at your computer screen waiting for the cards to show.
Do you play cash games or tournaments?

If you play cash games I can see how detachment might help you calm down on longer sessions, but as a tournament player, I can tell you this is not good advice.

Pay attention to what the players are doing while you just sit back and wait for a spot to hurt their stacks. Play the game for real.
 
T

tohos

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jun 30, 2013
Total posts
269
Chips
0
You definitely should not be getting bored. There's always things you can be observing at the table even when you're not involved in the hand. Like Jay said, you need to be looking to exploit the other players.

There are a whole lot of details you should be taking in especially in tournaments where you either go big or go home(really you're not playing 6 hours to min cash, thats a bloody waste of time) and one mistake can cost you everything. Cash games, the stakes are always the same and every chip is worth the same, not so in tournaments.

Just try to go through what is happening in every hand instead of thinking 'I'm waiting for my hand', obviously if you are just waiting you will get bored. You get bored when you are waiting in line for the cashier, while you're stuck in traffic etc. Think of it as you are gathering intel on your opponents and not 'waiting' for your turn. Look through hand history if you didn't really get what happened and try to go through the hand again
 
el_magiciann

el_magiciann

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 8, 2013
Total posts
1,971
Chips
0
One trick is to take your hand of the mouse, and think until you come to a decision, then put your hand back on the mouse :)

It looks like good advace i will definitely try this.
 
Top