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sn0112
Rock Star
Silver Level
Someone has already recommended 'The Mental Game of Poker' book series, which I second.
In addition, it may be useful to look at this in terms of base human behaviour: fight or flight, adrenal rush etc.
If you read about these things, you can begin to understand why you are anxious and try to control it.
Focusing on your breathing, as others have mentioned, is a good starting point.
It's worth studying high performing athletes because there is a lot of crossover in terms of controlling nerves and playing your 'A game'.
In addition, it may be useful to look at this in terms of base human behaviour: fight or flight, adrenal rush etc.
If you read about these things, you can begin to understand why you are anxious and try to control it.
Focusing on your breathing, as others have mentioned, is a good starting point.
It's worth studying high performing athletes because there is a lot of crossover in terms of controlling nerves and playing your 'A game'.
Pokerstudy
Legend
Bronze Level
I have found tremendous success dealing with anxiety by taking magnesium supplements (usually only 1 tablet) or increasing my magnesium naturally by eating magnesium rich foods like avocados or almonds etc
There are various forms of magnesium, but each one/type I have tried helped greatly with overall anxiety. Talk to a doctor before using magnesium supplements or which one is best to take if you explore that route.
There are various forms of magnesium, but each one/type I have tried helped greatly with overall anxiety. Talk to a doctor before using magnesium supplements or which one is best to take if you explore that route.
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Chica_bonita
Sad Funny Lady🌬
Bronze Level
Hello! :ciao:
An increased level of anxiety is a serious problem. First, decide what is causing you anxiety. Then think about why it bothers you. Think about what the worst thing can happen. Now think about it: is it so scary? After analyzing the situation, it is easier to cope with it (of course, if we are talking about permissible anxiety, which is not considered a disease). Also think about what exactly calms you down: it can be music or something else. Use this in those moments when you know that you will be worried. Brew chamomile tea. :icon_flow
Good luck and worry less.:wink:
gupiel0k69
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I would say experience plays the most improtant role, every stressfull situiation you are in makes you more resistant to enxiety, so sometimes you just need to go with it and don't "run away" - it will make you stronger.
ObbleeXY
Visionary
Bronze Level
As someone with clinical anxiety and depression, I feel well-qualified to answer this.
Play a tonne of games/hands...often playing multiple games simultaneously.
The anxiety comes from valuing the money the chips represent. You must do away with this. Chips are merely tools in a game. You have many tools...
Play 100,000 hands and tell me you're still anxious. You won't be. If you play a freeroll and someone shoves...it's no skin off my back, so there is literally no anxiety.
Get up to $220 buy-ins though and that anxiety starts to creep back...clearly indicating to me that I have no business being in a $220 game! But its the same thing really. If I had played 100K hands in $220 tourneys, I too would get over this as I have for smaller stakes.
At the end of the day, anxiety is related to a feeling of lack of control and sometimes feeling not up to the challenge before us. Become an expert in something and then anxiety is redirected to other things.
Finally, if the game KEEPS making you anxious...then get away from it. Nobody needs that in their lives. But if it gives you excitement, pleasure and general well-being without being too much of a financial burden, shuffle up and deal!
Cheers,
ObbleeeXY
Alizona
Visionary
Bronze Level
When I first started playing live poker in a casino, I was very nervous and had much anxiety. My hands would shake and my face would turn red. Obviously, these are very bad things for live poker when you have such obvious "tells".
But over the years, as I played more and more hands at live poker, these things began to go away all on their own. I became more comfortable and more confident, and now today, I no longer have shaky hands and I can control my emotions and my heartbeat much better so my face doesn't turn red.
They key is just doing something enough times so it feels normal, just repeat it over and over again, despite any anxiety you may have... and eventually the anxiety will just go away. My opinion obv. If your anxiety is due to an actual medical condition, perhaps this advice won't work... but this is how I overcame mine at the poker tables. It takes time, that's the biggest drawback. There's really no quick solution, but as long as you understand that each time you get anxious, you are making progress towards the day it will finally be gone, that knowledge can help the process along and help to calm a little bit more of your anxiety each time. Eventually you WILL get there! Best wishes in your journey.
But over the years, as I played more and more hands at live poker, these things began to go away all on their own. I became more comfortable and more confident, and now today, I no longer have shaky hands and I can control my emotions and my heartbeat much better so my face doesn't turn red.
They key is just doing something enough times so it feels normal, just repeat it over and over again, despite any anxiety you may have... and eventually the anxiety will just go away. My opinion obv. If your anxiety is due to an actual medical condition, perhaps this advice won't work... but this is how I overcame mine at the poker tables. It takes time, that's the biggest drawback. There's really no quick solution, but as long as you understand that each time you get anxious, you are making progress towards the day it will finally be gone, that knowledge can help the process along and help to calm a little bit more of your anxiety each time. Eventually you WILL get there! Best wishes in your journey.
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scottish770
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Honestly I play one table Here are my list of don'ts: over think, watch leaderboards, drink energy drinks, if you listen to music nothing voivod or god of lamb main thing The one do " get up periodical walk and clear out breath calms nervous system for me personally
Hope it helps
Hope it helps
Z
zapadlol
Enthusiast
Silver Level
poker game control!
You need to control everything, but I am not a controller of the poker hands provided by the organizers, this is the main thing in my opinion!
You need to control everything, but I am not a controller of the poker hands provided by the organizers, this is the main thing in my opinion!
