Playing Your A Game

[RPatterson]

Do you guys ever feel like you need something to play your best game? I think I play the best if my bedroom is really clean, it's at night so there is no sun-glare on the screen, I have a glass of water, and I'm wearing a black jacket and a certain pair of nike sandals.

The black jacket is not incredibly important, it is mainly for tournament play. In fact it doesn't help at all in cahs games. But the nike sandals are real important. They are needed for every poker game except sit-n-go's. For a while I wore a forearm sweat band but I felt that was bad luck. Also I probably play better with contacts as opposed to eyeglasses.

As far as music is concerned it shouldn't be very loud and I shouldn't actually be listening to it. The TV cannot be playing. I play the best when I am leaning back and have my left leg prop'ed up on the side of the desk. Also I play alot better when chewing something or have something in my mouth, like gum, a tac, a bottle cap, or a pen.

These are just some things I can think of right now that help me play my A game. What are some suggestions you guys may have?

[jasonHoldEm]

I generally play my best when my room is really messy, it's late at night (the one thing we have in common), I have a glass of diet coke, and I'm wearing socks and a certain pair of pants.

The socks are not incredibly important, as they are mainly for tournament play. In fact they don't help at all in cash games. But the pants are important. They are needed for every poker game except sit-n-go's. For awihle I wore underwear but I felt that was bad luck. Also, I probably play better with the monitor turned on as opposed to just randomly clicking with my mouse.

As far as music goes it should be played at high volumes and be some sort of electronic music. The TV can be playing but only if it's a sporting event with the sound turned down. I play my best when I'm leaning slightly forward with my legs crossed in the "annie duke" position. I also play a lot better when I'm browsing 2+2 or surfing for porn.

/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
J

[SlyAK]

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I also play a lot better when I'm browsing 2+2 or surfing for porn.


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Glad to see that I am not alone!!! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sly

[Al_Capone_Junior]

FAR more important is don't play tired, don't play mad.

Those things you mentioned are mostly just superstitions (not the glare on the screen tho). Superstitious things may help you THINK you are playing better, and that's fine, whatever works for you, but they are really of secondary importance.

If you have music on it should be quiet and probably should be instrumental so you're not distracted by the words.

al

[pokerstudAA]

I am playing the best when I have a pen in my hand. And a table diagram in front of me. Scribbling off notes on everyone and marking down raises and players hands. I will know exactly what all the TV watching, porn surfing, people raised with the past 5 hands and exactly what you called with. And most can't tell me the same thing. I can tell you who is playing fast, who is playing loose, who is aggressive, and who is too passive. You had better mix your game up and play without socks one day and put that leg down and turn the porn off once and awhile. I am your worst nightmare. An online poker player actually paying attention. Becareful because in a tournament I might not be at your table...but I might still be watching your game. No...I am really just kidding - I am watching TV too. I do. Really.

[Peter Harris]

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Also I play alot better when chewing something or have something in my mouth, like gum, a tac, a bottle cap, or a pen.

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annually, 12 people in the UK die of choking on an object they were playing with in their mouth.

Can't play your A game if you join the 12, buddy.

Regards,
Pete Harris

[RPatterson]

But I'll die trying.

[StellarWind]

I try to separate all the things that are genuinely useful, like making sure I have a pen and not having clutter around my mouse, from the superstitious stuff like lucky sweaters and getting my favorite seat in the sit-n-gos.

The useful stuff I try to take care of so there won't be any distractions or little problems.

The superstitious stuff I actively avoid. If you let stuff like that get in your head it will bother you when you don't have it. Anything that takes focus away from the game is bad. Learn to play your best no matter what the conditions.

[donkeyradish]

Re: Playing better when you're um, 'distracted'

Funny, but strangely true.