Emotionless poker

[0maxpower0]

Ive been playing poker seriously for a little over five years, picked up a lot of good info, been up been down, etc. Ive been on a downswing lately, and have been scratching my head, trying to figure out why. I'm know that there are cracks in my basic playing strategy, that can be filled with focus and experience and all that; but i think MY biggest flaw is giving in to the emotional swing of the individual games, as well as my overall performance. When I win a big hand I feel elated, I feel good, when i lose a big hand, I feel angry and anxious. My BR is up and so am I, if its down I'm feeling like chit. All this thinking pretty much lead me to this idea; that when playing poker you need to be completly emotionless. Im trying to keep this idea in mind when i play, and i gotta admit that it gets really tough at times. Im trying to think of things i can do before or during a tourney or a poker session, that will kinda help me keep my cool. Stress ball during play, or a cig before a tourney, whatever. Trying to keep that thought constatntly in my mind at all times.
Any tips? Some yoga? A beer? What helps you guys keep a cool head while playing? I could rly use some input.

[jefftib2000]

I listen to music and normally helps me keep my cool after being beat by a donk or something like that. Then if I'm really mad and the music doesnt work I grab a beer and just chug it down in like 20 seconds. Donks really fusterate me!

[PANAMHIEST]

Yup musice is my number one choice now. I will usually listen to some mellow

old school rock, and it seems to keep me in a good mood for the most part.

Back in the day when i first started, A dobbie would do the trick, but not no

more, got kids and stuff to worry about, so try some music!

[freeringo]

It gets easier with age.

[jefftib2000]

I'm sure it does ringo. I'm only 21 so maybe thats why it gets pretty hard on me. The music usually helps though so I like it. There have also been times where I do carry a stress ball to the desk where I play online poker. You just have to find out what you can do to keep your cool.

[navuta]

Yup musice is my number one choice now. I will usually listen to some mellow

old school rock, and it seems to keep me in a good mood for the most part.

Back in the day when i first started, A dobbie would do the trick, but not no

more, got kids and stuff to worry about, so try some music!

I preffer the complete silence.....
normaly music makes play worst...

[Sassy12U]

I get really emotional when I play poker. Well when I lose I get really mad and upset because I don't want to lose! lol It's hard for me not to be upset because I expect to win if I play you know?! I know that you can't always win in poker but when I make a stupid move or call or all in or whatever... I get really mad. I think it's good to get mad at yourself so that you understand that you can't do it. But I guess when it comes to your bankroll, you shouldn't let it affect your money and what you play next. I've been playing somewhat in my bankroll and I notice that when I get mad at someone or the game in general, then I start to play cash games and lose my money because I am not practicing patience and that will tend to do you harm and also take away from your bankroll. I think the only way for me to not be upset is to take a break. This has worked a lot but sometimes I get so mad that I don't want to! lol or its right after I took a break and I don't think I should take another one. Maybe I could take a break for a couple of days but who doesn't like to make money?!

[thenutzaa1]

Poker is a long journey! up, down, sideways, it doesnt matter, its where you end up! Same goes for life as well.

so your on a down swing, what do you do about it? One thing would be is start playing with your head up. Meaning play like you cant lose and trust your instinct! Two you can play listening to music or something that will keep you calm! And make perfect decisions!

How i handle it is: I take a small amount of money and say i dont care what happens to it, losing it, doubling up a million times! I just dont care! I take that money and sit at one table (low limits) and play the best i CAN!! i end up winning a lot more! Because you see a lot more! try it out!

thanks thenutzaa1

[0maxpower0]

Good advice all. Especially like the, put only what money in poker that u care nothing for. Play the low limits well and just build it up, have fun. Ill definately be heeding those words. I think im going to take a second before every game i play, and remind myself to chill. I made the final table of the cake PPA, after i posted this and read the responses... so its definately a step in the right direction. So TY all. Maybe theyll be a cake promotions on me soon :-p

[woohoosue]

Good advice all. Especially like the, put only what money in poker that u care nothing for. Play the low limits well and just build it up, have fun. Ill definately be heeding those words. I think im going to take a second before every game i play, and remind myself to chill. I made the final table of the cake PPA, after i posted this and read the responses... so its definately a step in the right direction. So TY all. Maybe theyll be a cake promotions on me soon :-p

wowsa that game hads over 15000 people in it ..i chose it thinking it would have less since they restricted you could only play one of them.... but that was not the case the first few had less than 10000 ppl i thot. oh well

congrarts man ..WTG! no easy feat aged doobie marketable? or just junk? I'm a little verklempt so discuss this among yourselves ..

[taylovesthebeatles]

What I'm wondering is, do those of you who get super upset from bad beats get just as worked up about your winning hands? That seems like it'd be difficult but also pretty important to try and do if you're someone who really gets emotional at the poker table. Which is definitely understandable, if you're serious about the game and it's something you really enjoy doing and striving to be the best.

[JettyZ]

By any chance, are you this guy?
YouTube - TONY G - WHAT AN ASSHOLE !!!

[freeringo]

By any chance, are you this guy?
YouTube - TONY G - WHAT AN ASSHOLE !!!

I love Tony G

reminds me of Eejit

Russians suck at poker

He deserved it

[bouks999]

same with me ill be chips leader at a game then go down and get on tilt and end up loosing. Then ill try to get my money back.

[0maxpower0]

What I'm wondering is, do those of you who get super upset from bad beats get just as worked up about your winning hands? That seems like it'd be difficult but also pretty important to try and do if you're someone who really gets emotional at the poker table. Which is definitely understandable, if you're serious about the game and it's something you really enjoy doing and striving to be the best.

Thats exactly it Tay. Its like, however bad you feel when you make a poor play or take a bad beat, you'd feel that good winning some chips, or outdrawing someone. What i tend to do, and shouldnt, is allow myself, or allow my mood, to go up and down as the poker game does. Im up im happy, im down, im anxious and upset. I think the idea is that you have to remain emotionless during the whole thing. Dont feel good or bad, just play the same game throughout the entire thing. IF you catch a bad beat, whatever, make the moves you have to make with the chips you got, rather than just going all in after a bad beat (which i have been known to do) If you get some chips or lay a bad beat on someone, just take it in stride. Ill often clap my hands or holla or something if i take down a big pot, and thats the behavoir i want to stop. I think if you even allow yourself to celebrate or loathe a bad hand or play, then youre going to be distracted, for every hand after that. Not to mention, especially in long tourneys, that all the hands that you celebrate and loathe will exhaust you; going on that emotional roller coaster while playing for that long will wear you out. Ive found that whenever a big hand happens (good or bad) i just remind myself to "play my best poker". Thats my mantra. I constantly remind myself thats its about focus and sound playing. As the game pulls you one way or the other, you stay right in the middle focus and unmoved, like a rock.

[woohoosue]

i found that in last nights game..... i had to become emotionless due to drama... by focusing on my play and trying not to involve myself too much with chat.... but this can never be acheived always can it? i mean making a great play is like dancing...its like step step step then dip! and wam bam ty mam. you won the hand. hard to control feelings when a play comes together well. I have learned to control my anger when a play doesnt play out the way i want ..by a misread or my draw not working out...I think freeeringo is right ...with age may not come wisdom but definately a calmer understanding of things....
you will find what works for u and become the great player we know you are.

[0maxpower0]

Funny, im 23, pretty young in relative poker standards, and ive having a dilemma with emotions in poker. Guess ringo was definately right that with age comes not wisdom... but just a calm demeanor i guess. I wish i was an old soul. But the more i post about it, or takling, think about it, the more i find that i become more emotionless and a better poker player. Its gotten to the point where i make a good play or something, and i just think "meh, thats how its supposed to go". And if i lose one i convince myself that its just a bump on the path to me getting first. I cant tell you how many times, and im sure u all have had ur share, where i had made a bad play, or gone into the final table in last place and still won it. Theres always a chance, no matter how many chips you have (tay :-p), no matter how bad a play u had made before. Keeping that thought in your mind can make even the bleakest game turn out in your favor. An early finish turns into a place, a cash bubble turns into a good cash, and a final table bubble turns into a 3rd 2nd or a 1st. You just have to believe its posisble, and in doing so, you give yourself the best chance to win.