Playing differently after few hours

lukaszkrzi

lukaszkrzi

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Hi there,

I have issue that probably most of people have which is changing play style in one session. When I playing very tight and profitable, but then something breaks in me I start to play lossy or aggressive while drawing for hands (out of desperation could be good explanation)
What helps me allot is drinking water to keep my hydrated, but some times even this not helps. Any advices that helped you in prolonged poker sessions (when for example running very deep).
Also has anyone read The Mental Game of Poker book and find it useful?
Thnaks :)
 
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alexis8888

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What helps me a lot is drinking a pint of strong beer.
 
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nygmen2007

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I find that depending on what i am playing will see how I play later on.. I play much differently after a few hours if I am holding steady then I try to be more agressive at the wrong times.. If I am up in the lead I play looser and try to steal from people barely holding on.. I am sure everyon has their own methods to theri madness...
 
westside1950

westside1950

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Havent read that book you mention, but its obvoius that you probably lose your focus after a few hours, so taking a small break (half an hour,maybe) and then continuing should help you.

I also have a similar problem, and it helped me :)
 
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hffjd2000

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Have to be consistent on your play and dont be caught on tilt and now change your style.

Have to prepare and condition yourself for the long session ahead.
 
kingkesh93

kingkesh93

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Have to be consistent on your play and dont be caught on tilt and now change your style.

Have to prepare and condition yourself for the long session ahead.

I agree with this.

I think starting a very tight game with anyways wouldn't be profitable for periods that you are card dead. I think playing the table rather than your cards is your solution. Make things happen.

Easier said than done, of course ;)
 
quick

quick

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Since this is under tournament poker I'm assuming OP is talking about tournament play where long breaks can't often be taken and where play style should and does change as the tournament grinds on.

I've recently begun getting back into some tournaments online (due to a month or so of more free time) and there's players here that know a ton more than me on tournament play here...

but I'd say in terms of staying focused: keep hydrated yes. Stretch, get out of your seat and move around. Take full advantage of the 5 minute hourly breaks.

As for play style I'll say the following:

- How you play certain hands based on position not only matter but also in different stages of the tournament: early, mid, late, final table.

- If the tournaments are deep, turbo, rebuys, add ons, double stacks, etc all matter. If I'm in an early stage of a rebuy and am following my own BRM for R&A tournaments, I'm absolutely getting in with good preflop hands like AKo. Mid stages or late stages I might be folding those hands. Why? Because an early chance to stack up is good and I can rebuy with little damage early on. So more risks.

- Obviously your style of play will vary but as the tournament goes on you'll need to adjust so I wouldn't say your style will always stay static in tournaments. As blinds increase, players bust, and the money is closer in sight watch how people tighten up usually and exploit that.

Just my two cents. As for focus during games, make sure you stand up and stretch, stay fed, stay hydrated, and focus!
 
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Lexxx

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I take a walk and play with my pet or watch TV!
 
lcid86

lcid86

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Play as often as you can and try different approaches. Track your results and settle on an approach you are comfortable with that produces good results.
 
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subdylzep

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keeping focused is hard while playing such a long session, generally in tournament poker you are going to have to stay more focused the longer you are in the tournament. So the deeper you go the more focused you want to be so i would say change up whatever you are doing, if you are talking and being active w the table, stop and try listening to music, and vice versa. If you are just drinking water, then drinking a beer might stimulate some of your senses to wake up and be more alert, granted that you dont keep drinking until inebriated! if you are finding yourself lethargic and stressed maybe sit out a few hands if your stack allows it, take a walk around the room, or casino wherever you may be and calm yourself and try to get on an even level. Whatever you need to do to change what your current situation is. Many times i'll get up and walk around just to wake myself up, I have also drank a beer or 2 to get myself focused and ready for a final table and maybe to relax a little as well. Always try to keep a straight head though and focus on everyone at the table and the way they are playing. If playing a cash game and im on a run for a few hours i'll often get up and eat lunch/dinner and leave my stack at the table for an hour or so, The casino isn't going anywhere so i'll come back to the same amount of money i had before i left. Its all about what works for you, just change it up and hope it keeps you alert. Good luck in the future.
 
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CallmeFloppy

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Mental Training. When you feel that you have altered your game in a way that is detrimental, either take a break or walk away. I would also make a mental note of when you noticed and what was going on leading up to that to better identify it for future sessions. It will also help to prevent it from happening if you can eliminate those deviations.
 
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Lexxx

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Mental Training. When you feel that you have altered your game in a way that is detrimental, either take a break or walk away. I would also make a mental note of when you noticed and what was going on leading up to that to better identify it for future sessions. It will also help to prevent it from happening if you can eliminate those deviations.

That´s quite difficult, but you are right. You have to prepare your mind to face bad moments and be ready for them.
 
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jacksonionh

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I read the mental game of poker and found it very useful. For the issue you have I think that the book could help you quite a lot. It helps you learn how to play your best game all the time.
 
lukaszkrzi

lukaszkrzi

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Yep also I have learn to to cry after having downswing, I see lots of player crying about loosing 5$ from heir 70$ bankroll :D
But I need on work more on the consistent game.
 
robertocoelho

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it is difficult to maintain concentration for long hours if you're leaving a lot out of your game can be decentralization, it was just a bad bet is normal devolved, liked the waterborne lift of a walk, breathe pronfudamente, beer boardIt looks good too.
 
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Sergei

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The rest is one piece of advice. In live tournaments there are breaks for half an hour at least. In the online tournament 5 minutes. Do yourself a break of 20-30 minutes unless of course the size of your stack allows. Or at least at the time that allows you your stack without big losses. And don't be afraid to lose a good map. not the fact that you would have won the hand.
 
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pata2004

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Slow down
Take your time
It will be alright
If you decide go hard
Take it easy
Take it easy
 
milka1605

milka1605

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Here the suggests itself either make a break or to overestimate their actions.
 
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