Focus (or a lack thereof) |
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Posted Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:49 pm GMT by gainsomeskills
Hey guys...Quick question for yall.
I'm an amateur who's been playing for about 3 years. I play a smooth combination of online play, small home game tourneys, and casino play when I'm back home with the family.
Lately, man, it's like I have reverted back into a rook mode. Like, I'm by no means an expert, but I'm overplaying high cards pre-flop, I'm overvaluing TP/TK, and I just can't seem to stay focused while I play and then I let my emotions play too much into the game.
It's frustrating, in my instance, because this summer I was playing the poker of my life. Just great tournament strategy, I was following my instincts, and my emotions didn't even play a roll. Now, it's the opposite.
It may sound childish, but I'm thinking about - just for a while - removing all poker software from my computer so I can calm myself. I haven't played a home tourney in 2 weeks and think I should lay off a bit longer.
Does this happen to you guys often? Never? Seldom? And if so, how long do these ruts last? Cause honestly...Over the 3 years I've played poker, I've LOVED IT...But now, it's almost like...Ehhh, it's not worth it.
Cheer me up...?
Did you know that participating in a poker forum can help you improve your own game? Be it by sharing experiences or simply asking for help, participation in a forum helps you focus and keep 'on topic' which will help you improve your game. You can learn from other players feedback and from their experiences. Why the THP poker forums? We offer one of the best managed texas holdem poker forums available, and the community within is far more friendly than those typicaly found on other sites. We've made a 'lurkers edition' of the poker forum available here on Holdem Poker Online, but we encourage all visitors to register and join in on the conversations on TexasHoldem-Poker.com
Posted Thu Oct 05, 2006 11:18 am GMT by 1988 TR
If you feel like you are getting too far away from basic strategy, read a good poker book. Always helps me to take a break, read a good book, and get back to the basics.
Posted Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:36 pm GMT by UrAteUp
Great sound advice TR. I often find when I start on a losing streak it is time to dwell into my hand histories and see if I can spot some sort of pattern. Once you find where you been going wrong then you can stop it. For instance are you playing position? Are you playing only top hands out of position? Are you playing your monster hands strong enough?
Posted Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:36 pm GMT by Jauron
When I really start to feel this way I try to find something to focus on. I either try to switch games (try omaha or 7 card stud for a bit) or I try to focus on live or tourney or big tournies or short handed or something to get myself to refocus on what I am doing. I might jump down to a lower level SNG and steam that way if it's really bad.
If that doesn't work I might read a poker book or take a break, after all there is a lot of non poker stuff that is fun too.
Posted Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:02 pm GMT by 1988 TR
| UrAteUp wrote: | | Great sound advice TR. I often find when I start on a losing streak it is time to dwell into my hand histories and see if I can spot some sort of pattern. Once you find where you been going wrong then you can stop it. For instance are you playing position? Are you playing only top hands out of position? Are you playing your monster hands strong enough? |
Thanks. By the time I am through reading a book, I have a few new strategies to try & whatever was causing me to lose is forgotten. 
Posted Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:45 am GMT by MasterShake
When I start to lose focus, I always ask myself: "What would Jesus do?" Then I tell myself, "Ferguson would toss that trash! Why are you even thinking of calling you stupid donkey!"
Posted Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:50 pm GMT by gainsomeskills
Thanks guys...I am actually tempted to play a home tourney this week.
Not sure I will though...
Above all else guys, it seems I'm doing two things wrong:
1) I'm overvaluing hands. I.E. - TP-TK, Big cards pre-flop, etc...
My patience is there, but I'm developing an inability to slow down in a hand or throw one away.
2) I'm also been having a bad problem with trying to build a stack too fast and that leads to a lot coin flip decisions. Like in past tournaments, I've called all-ins with AJ and AQ when they were big bets I was facing.
Soooo, I'm going to re-read Harrington I think and maybe take another week off. Thanks for your insight guys.
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