Eeanoriya
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Funtast
Rock Star
Bronze Level
It´s because there are so many bad players in the pool and you can easily have an edge here.
It might be because there are much more better players in the pool and you don´t have an edge anymore.
Something? You fear to lose something.. Something money!
The fear of losing whatever it is, lies deep in our brain and is quite normal for human beings. That has nothing to do you in personal but within the evolution of life. We fear so we don´t lose our food/child/wife/husband and our race survives.
Play proper bankrollmanagement. That means never go at a table with more than 1% of your bankroll. That way your fear should be minimal because you can´t lose it all. If you played some thousands hands that way, fear should be gone. If not, maybe poker for cash is the wrong game for you.
Pokerpoet2
Legend
Loyaler
It is very common to experience a feeling of fear when moving up from a freeroll to a Buy-in game, It's Human Nature because you are trying something new, If you can Win enough from Freerolls to start building a Bankroll, then of course the next step is using that money to buy into different games.
The problem that arises is not so much that the game has changed, or you have changed, in fact the only thing that has changed are the stakes. I had a similar problem years ago playing for Points on Pogo.com I played the 200 point buy-ins and regularly won playing Stud Poker but this was in the Low Roller section, When I Jumped straight into the High Rollers with a 2,000 point buy-in I started to lose quite heavily and I couldn't understand Why?
The Game hadn't changed, only the stakes were higher, so what else had changed, and surprisingly it was me, I was playing more carefully, aware that I could be losing a massive buy-in, Which was what I was doing. Once I understood why I had changed from being an Aggressive Player into a Church Mouse Passive player, I Immediately changed back into the Aggressive player and started winning again.
Throwing a Freeroll game cost's you nothing, so it is always relaxing and enjoyable whatever the outcome, When you start using money to buy-into games then the Fear starts creeping in, and although you may not think so, It is always in the back of your mind that this game could cost you money from your precious Bankroll you have worked so hard to build.
Get past that feeling and you will have cracked it, I did it by thinking that the money, was money I never had and was taken away from other players, so if I lose it, So What? It's not the end of the World.
Good Luck and You can beat this Fear!
I Live Poker
Legend
Platinum Level
Don't play for money, buy entry and think it's a registration fee for an event. When you go to a show, for example, you pay for the attraction and at no point do you think about having no money. This isn't a very good example, but it works. If you are giving so much value to the fee money, perhaps you are investing too high buyins for your financial condition, invest amounts that will not make a difference to your budget.
Gallarado777
Legend
Loyaler
you're just afraid of losing money that's why you're so worried, you just have to think that you're playing for free after which you'll feel better or it's the money you need and you really want to win then I understand you but it still won't work sometimes you have to lose and you don't have to be afraid to lose after which you will become psychologically stronger and it will pass
takinitSLEAZEE
Legend
Loyaler
This was one of my biggest fears when I first started playing. I would get this strange anxiety and fear of losing. If you're like me and come from humble beginnings, then "gambling" is a four-letter word. Since poker is a game where a skill-edge is an advantage, this decreases the gambling aspect of it for me. So once I honed my skills, I was able to play without worry and focus on the game itself. Once you can achieve this "level-headedness" poker becomes a lot more fun to play and enjoy. The $ will start to roll in a little more as well. I hope this helps and good luck at the tables.
Lena M
Legend
Loyaler
Hi
You will be able to cope with it only when you can overcome your fear. You just need to play more for that. With experience, your self-confidence will grow and you will not even notice how this fear will pass by itself.
jproy444
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Try tournament first. Cash game can be tough because you see money disappear live. Also, in freerolls, if you win a big hand with 4 persons all-in and you win a prize, it can be easy to think you played well, but it was just luck. It's harder to win chips in a real tournament, because it's rare that you'll see 4-5 ways all-in where some go with 9-K offsuit...
ObbleeXY
Visionary
Bronze Level
Fear and anxiety in poker are not uncommon, especially in less experienced players, but it is also commonly experienced when players move up a level in stakes.
Hear is a summary of an article I read on the subject by Paul Seaton:
Fear and anxiety are usually caused by the following:
1) Fear of Losing Money
2) Decision making regret (Fear of doing the wrong thing)
3) Fear of failure (Being outplayed by better players)
FEAR OF LOSING MONEY
Guess what? EVERYONE loses money playing poker. Maybe only in the short run. Maybe only occassionally. Maybe some are up in general...but everyone loses money at some point. So dealing with losses is something you need to find strategies to help overcome. One of the best ways to lose the fear of losing is to simply DO A LOT OF IT. Volume in poker is what is needed to test how successful your strategies are. One win is not enough to say "I play profitably this way" The sample size is too small. The more you play, the more you realise that a loss isn't really important if you're making the right decisions. Right means +EV decisions...not necessarily winning outcomes.
DECISION MAKING REGRET
Poker is a game of mistakes. The challenge is to not only make fewer mistakes than your opponents, but to make sure that when you do make them, it is not at critical points in the game. Like the Fear of losing Money, you need to flip this fear around. You need to acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes. You will continue to make them. But if you study your game...review your hands after your session, and identify the leaks, you will reduce your fear of doing the wrong thing.
GETTING OUTPLAYED
Again, we all get outplayed. Most of the time when you sit down at a table, you are not going to be the best player at the table. Your job is not to be the best, but to play a solid strategy. Your job is ALSO to pay attention to how every opponent plays...take notes. Get intel on how they play. Identify betting patterns, bluff tells. To play exploitative poker (as opposed to, say, GTO), you need to classify your opponents. You need to know who the Nits are. Who the TAGs are, Who the LAGs are and who are the fish -- because you'll treat their behaviours differently.
Other things to help with anxiety:
Mindfulness - Poker is a psychology game. Practice mindfulness to gain more control over your thoughts and feelings.
Be Positive - You cannot change the cards, but you can change the way you react to the cards.
Naval Gaze - Look inwards and explore your own thoughts and feelings. Dig deeper and find out where they come from.
Take breaks.
exercise.
Eat well.
Sleep well.
Acquire balance in your life between Work/Non-Work. Family/Non-family, Poker and Non-Poker.
Go to the pros - nothing wrong with seeking some professional help. Sometimes you need approaches which have stood the test of time...and science.
at any rate -- relax and enjoy. Poker is a great game.
Regards,
JT
Hear is a summary of an article I read on the subject by Paul Seaton:
Fear and anxiety are usually caused by the following:
1) Fear of Losing Money
2) Decision making regret (Fear of doing the wrong thing)
3) Fear of failure (Being outplayed by better players)
FEAR OF LOSING MONEY
Guess what? EVERYONE loses money playing poker. Maybe only in the short run. Maybe only occassionally. Maybe some are up in general...but everyone loses money at some point. So dealing with losses is something you need to find strategies to help overcome. One of the best ways to lose the fear of losing is to simply DO A LOT OF IT. Volume in poker is what is needed to test how successful your strategies are. One win is not enough to say "I play profitably this way" The sample size is too small. The more you play, the more you realise that a loss isn't really important if you're making the right decisions. Right means +EV decisions...not necessarily winning outcomes.
DECISION MAKING REGRET
Poker is a game of mistakes. The challenge is to not only make fewer mistakes than your opponents, but to make sure that when you do make them, it is not at critical points in the game. Like the Fear of losing Money, you need to flip this fear around. You need to acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes. You will continue to make them. But if you study your game...review your hands after your session, and identify the leaks, you will reduce your fear of doing the wrong thing.
GETTING OUTPLAYED
Again, we all get outplayed. Most of the time when you sit down at a table, you are not going to be the best player at the table. Your job is not to be the best, but to play a solid strategy. Your job is ALSO to pay attention to how every opponent plays...take notes. Get intel on how they play. Identify betting patterns, bluff tells. To play exploitative poker (as opposed to, say, GTO), you need to classify your opponents. You need to know who the Nits are. Who the TAGs are, Who the LAGs are and who are the fish -- because you'll treat their behaviours differently.
Other things to help with anxiety:
Mindfulness - Poker is a psychology game. Practice mindfulness to gain more control over your thoughts and feelings.
Be Positive - You cannot change the cards, but you can change the way you react to the cards.
Naval Gaze - Look inwards and explore your own thoughts and feelings. Dig deeper and find out where they come from.
Take breaks.
exercise.
Eat well.
Sleep well.
Acquire balance in your life between Work/Non-Work. Family/Non-family, Poker and Non-Poker.
Go to the pros - nothing wrong with seeking some professional help. Sometimes you need approaches which have stood the test of time...and science.
at any rate -- relax and enjoy. Poker is a great game.
Regards,
JT
yogo9
Visionary
Bronze Level
"Scared money can't win" ,
Try to have enough bankroll, Ones you are in the game tell yourself that money is an investment into having a fun time and gaining experience no matter the result is , Try to gain confidence and if you have a good hand with a the right community cards call and don't be afraid of bad beats, Eat and sleep well, do some relaxing exercises before the start of the tournaments that really helps a lot. Good luck to you.
Try to have enough bankroll, Ones you are in the game tell yourself that money is an investment into having a fun time and gaining experience no matter the result is , Try to gain confidence and if you have a good hand with a the right community cards call and don't be afraid of bad beats, Eat and sleep well, do some relaxing exercises before the start of the tournaments that really helps a lot. Good luck to you.
C
Cooking
Legend
Platinum Level
Like others said, usually when we play higher stakes the players are much better than on freerolls. I have the same problem, I'm usually a micro/small stakes player and occasionally I win through satellites tickets to $109/$110 tournaments and my average results are not good. I think it's because I get nervous playing these tournaments because the money would really make difference if I ended up winning, so, I play too tight and usually I play much more aggressively. So, at least for me, I know I need to study more and work on my mental.
Blumoon888
Enthusiast
Silver Level
It depends on how much your playing for hun. Maybe your trying to hard and forcing it when cash is involved. Mostly it's just patience, waiting for a hand you like, and spotting the draws and slow plays pulling you in. If you are winning freeroll which are usually an all in fest you should be fine. Best of luck
Regards Chris
Tech101205
Visionary
Silver Level
I think why this happening because
U are getting psychologically conservative when u are playing with hard earned money and having fear of loss .
When u play freeroll u know u can lose nothing and there's always a next chance to try till u get something
Giving u an edge of endless possibility to try and win without any fear and most importantly there is no psychological pressure
But when we play with actual money it's different , the fear of losing starts kicking in , this time u get conservative and starts changing ur natural style of play.
Why it happens !
Because there could be different reasons for different players
Since u have not mentioned reason I am assuming fear because majority of players face this at tables during their early days
Fear is one big thing u must cross while playing poker.
No matter what the underlying reason for that fear element while u are playing at the table
U must always remember one thing u are playing a game and u must be willing to express urself and risk wherever necessary to win the hand
Poker is like any other game
In a game win and loss is a must
Our goal should be to minimize loss ratio compared to win ratio so at the end of the day we walk away with some profit in our hands
In order to do that we must be willing to accept before hand the worst possibilities and be prepared for it mentally and must be willing to have that freedom to express our plays at table with ease
So in order to achieve that what u need is a Bankroll that can support ur playing style
Everyone has one which gives them some edge over others and like everybody u also have one
So try to figure out what kind of player u are first and get ur self prepared with suitable bankroll and then play with ease with proper bankroll management
U won't have fear because u know u always have backup for that next hand and u can always try to win back ur money
U are getting psychologically conservative when u are playing with hard earned money and having fear of loss .
When u play freeroll u know u can lose nothing and there's always a next chance to try till u get something
Giving u an edge of endless possibility to try and win without any fear and most importantly there is no psychological pressure
But when we play with actual money it's different , the fear of losing starts kicking in , this time u get conservative and starts changing ur natural style of play.
Why it happens !
Because there could be different reasons for different players
Since u have not mentioned reason I am assuming fear because majority of players face this at tables during their early days
Fear is one big thing u must cross while playing poker.
No matter what the underlying reason for that fear element while u are playing at the table
U must always remember one thing u are playing a game and u must be willing to express urself and risk wherever necessary to win the hand
Poker is like any other game
In a game win and loss is a must
Our goal should be to minimize loss ratio compared to win ratio so at the end of the day we walk away with some profit in our hands
In order to do that we must be willing to accept before hand the worst possibilities and be prepared for it mentally and must be willing to have that freedom to express our plays at table with ease
So in order to achieve that what u need is a Bankroll that can support ur playing style
Everyone has one which gives them some edge over others and like everybody u also have one
So try to figure out what kind of player u are first and get ur self prepared with suitable bankroll and then play with ease with proper bankroll management
U won't have fear because u know u always have backup for that next hand and u can always try to win back ur money
TheNutz4You
Legend
Loyaler
Sample size is a big part along with better players in the pool. I bet you've play a ton more freerolls than you have real money mtts
LaNimmer
Visionary
Bronze Level
It is almost impossible to play poker if you are scared of losing money. Play within your means, and play as well as you can. In the end it is still gambling, you may have the best hand pre flop but that is not assured.
M
mssmotilda
Visionary
Platinum Level
Yes, everything is simple here, you yourself named the key word - and this is experience. I think this happens to everyone at first, just play more and everything will pass.
Eeanoriya
Enthusiast
Silver Level
100%
Flower2211
Rock Star
Bronze Level
It’s all about psychology; more responsibility falls on you, which you are apparently afraid of. You need not to think about prizes and money during the game, but focus more on prize places. For example, when I play either for tickets or for money, I still set the goal to take a prize place, regardless of whether there is a ticket or money
makisaa
Legend
Loyaler
Obviously when you play for free and for tickets, you don't have something to lose so you think clearer and there is no anxiety. When you play for money, you see your "pray" in front of you and this makes you nervous! As much experience as you gather by playing, this nervousness and anxiety will be reduced. Just play and enjoy!