June 27, 2010
Reasons not to play
Not putting in enough volume is really hurting my chances at making it to the mid stakes. As always I find myself with very little to do, and I still shy away from playing a session. If there was no money involved I would play all the time. Here are my reasons not to play:
- I've been winning lately. I expect to lose sooner or later.
- I've been losing lately. I'm not confident in my game.
- I've been breaking even lately. I expect to lose sooner or later, and I'm not confident in my game.
So, how can I get in more volume? There is no scenario where I'm fired up to play. Not being results oriented, not feeling entitled to anything, and knowing that in the long run hard work pays off. If anyone can figure out how to do it - please share your secret with me! For now, I've noticed that once I'm more comfortable at a stake, and my bankroll is a bit deeper, I behave more rationally. This might be an argument for stricter bankroll management. Or maybe I just need to stop being such a damn nit.
1 Comments:
oopsipooped posted on June 27, 2010 at 15:12 PM
I can relate to all three of those mindsets you described to a T. I was a full ring micro grinder for the last year and a half, putting in huge volume and not loving it, not to mention not making any money or progress.
I took a few months off and didn't use one brain cell to think about poker. I started up again this month because I missed the game (but moved to 6max) I think that's really the key. You have to be playing, not because you want to just make money or attain some level in the game for the sake of it. There is something to be said for hard work and study, but I don't think you should feel like you have to put your head down and soldier on. If that's the case, you won't be fulfilled no matter how you do.
Starting up again this month I've managed to put some distance between my mental state and the fact that it's real world money. This was always a tilting point for me. I have also found a new interest in the process, rather than the outcome. I try to keep in mind that it's just a game with luck and strategy. I think if you look at all of the really successful players, they truly love the game.
Things I've found that have helped me this month:
1. Not holding myself to rigid goals or time lines for progress.
2. Control my emotional state and my attachment to the money - don't slip into the mindset of "I have to make it back"
3. Take a break when I realize I am no longer enjoying the process.
4. Don't play volume just to make some bonus status i.e. iron man/VIP level
5. Study, write and think about poker, but don't expect that "time invested in study" = "level of success in game" I've fallen into that trap and got really down on the game. It takes time and study in necessary, but the application of what you learn won't be perfect or instant.
You can follow the blog I just started here at http://www.deucescracked.com/blogs/snackbucket
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