What are your pre-game rituals?

[theRealMacoy]

Hello Gentlemen,

How do you prepare for that big game/tournament?
What routines do you have, if any?
Do you dress in a particular way (i.e., coolest shirt/hat)?

I am talking for home/private games. If there is a seperate way for casino lets hear it! (e.g., you dress in a particular way for the casino v.s. a private game)

As for me, I run a group called the "Gentlemen's Poker League". It seems everyone tries to wear the most outlandinsh clothes possible. Generally I go with a 1950's tie and short sleeve dress shirt with a '70 three-piece suit vest. As far as preparation, I go through my book on the various members and their game. Then I play a few hands of Poker Academy, listening to some kicking music to get me psyched.


Let's hear frow you......

Cheers,
the Real Macoy

[TenPercenter]

[ QUOTE ]
Hello Gentlemen,

How do you prepare for that big game/tournament?

[/ QUOTE ]

Load 16 folding chairs, three tables tops and a cooler into my truck. I have a newborn and can't play at my house, so I have to drag all my gear to my frien'ds since I AM THE diehard poker guy and they're not.

Ten

[jojobinks]

i have none. although if the buy in is big enough to scare me a little, i have to figure out a way to expend some extra energy. last night before my live multi-table (see my post here (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1811821&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)) which had a large buy in for me and 8 tables of players, i actually went to a nearby grocery store to buy gum and walked up and down all the aisles, just to feel a little more relaxed.

that sounds kinda weird, i know. it was freezing out, though, in the middle of nowhere, and i was going to explode from a huge dosage of caffeine.

have i already said too much?

[AcesKracked]

I always be sure I put on my favorite pair of SpongeBob Squarepants boxers the morning of the "big game." Thus far it has produced pretty good results.
AcesKracked

[faith]

Sacrifice a virgin to the pokergods. A difficult task- mind you, I live in Bangkok. But, the pokergods must be appeased.

-faith

[jtr]

Hey, Macoy.

Your home game sounds fun. Sorry to disappoint, but I think I have no rituals at all. At a casino I tend to get on the waitlist and buy a rack or two of chips, but I guess that's a little unimaginative of me.

[ QUOTE ]
Then I play a few hands of Poker Academy...

[/ QUOTE ]

Apologies for the thread hijack, but I was curious about this: how do you like Poker Academy? Do you find it a useful tool? Apart from the famed heads-up bots, do you find the play of any of the other strategies (e.g., full ring game players) to be challenging?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Cheers,
--JTR.

[SamIAm]

I open Empire and get on 6 or 7 short waitlists. Then I open PokerTracker and start it importing. GameTime+ comes next. Then I load Party and open the 4 loosest tables, all minimized. (Double the datamining = double the fun.) Then I open iTunes. By this time I'm starting to get seats. Four Empire tables, one in each corner, go on the primary monitor. PTracker, GT+, iTunes, and any IM windows go in the secondary monitor. That means I have more than 13 windows open at all times. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

I know this doesn't quite answer the original question. It's still pretty ritualistic, though. A friend came over recently to watch me play, and politely asked if I could move the live tables to the secondary screen, so he could watch better. Moving my windows was a head-trip. Things weren't were I was used to, and I had to move them back.

Who'd have guessed I'd be superstitious about online play?
-Sam

[Bellagibro]

I watch porn for inspiration.

[theRealMacoy]

thanks everyone for you excellent replies. it is nice to know i am not alone in my weird little rituals. love to hear some more....


[ QUOTE ]
i have none. although if the buy in is big enough to scare me a little, i have to figure out a way to expend some extra energy. last night before my live multi-table (see my post here (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=1811821&page=0&view=c ollapsed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)) which had a large buy in for me and 8 tables of players, i actually went to a nearby grocery store to buy gum and walked up and down all the aisles, just to feel a little more relaxed.

that sounds kinda weird, i know. it was freezing out, though, in the middle of nowhere, and i was going to explode from a huge dosage of caffeine.

have i already said too much?

[/ QUOTE ]


loving it! rituals are just what we need to put us at ease. i too sometimes drink one of those huge cafeine juice drinks and get a little over-buzzed and edgy. i find it alot better being a bit wired than feeling dazed. if i get to a point where i am brain-fried and fuzzy i take a break for a smoke, but first i usually go for a little jog up and down the street just to get my blood moving. add a little nicoteine to the mix and i have taken the gooey crust of complacency off my brain.
cheers,
RM

[theRealMacoy]

[ QUOTE ]
I always be sure I put on my favorite pair of SpongeBob Squarepants boxers the morning of the "big game." Thus far it has produced pretty good results.
AcesKracked

[/ QUOTE ]

i know it is like sacriligious to be supersticious around here but aren't we all secretly wearing our favourite underwear? for me it is usually about the hat. this cool furry gentlemen's cap just puts me in the mood to dominate at the table. i always feel ready to play when i put it on.

-RM

[Arsene Lupin III]

I eat only chicken the day of a game.
I draw a symbol that means “To Life” in the felt before every hand.
Windsprints 16 minutes before the session starts. Batting practice 2 hours 16 minutes before it starts.
150 grounders in infield practice.

-adam

[theRealMacoy]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, Macoy.

Your home game sounds fun. Sorry to disappoint, but I think I have no rituals at all. At a casino I tend to get on the waitlist and buy a rack or two of chips, but I guess that's a little unimaginative of me.

[ QUOTE ]
Then I play a few hands of Poker Academy...

[/ QUOTE ]

Apologies for the thread hijack, but I was curious about this: how do you like Poker Academy? Do you find it a useful tool? Apart from the famed heads-up bots, do you find the play of any of the other strategies (e.g., full ring game players) to be challenging?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Cheers,
--JTR.

[/ QUOTE ]

i bet you have some sort of ritual, even if it is totally mundane. like getting a coffee, reading the sports section while you wait for your table, reviewing the last time you played in your head, scouting the tables for awhile ahead of time....or perhaps you too wear sponge bob undies but just won't admit it.

anyway, about Poker Academy (PA)
to get a better reply post a question in the Software forum.
IMO, i love PA. i have many different table configurations set-up depending upon what i want to practice. My game is a loose aggressive-aggressive game, so i have configured players to mimick the actual players in my game, which has been very helpful. I have developed a richer understanding of effective strategies based on different table configurations. As far as extrememly challenging, it gets harder the longer you play against a good adaptive player that exploits your leaks. Also, for example playing 6-max has been very helpful. The AI software is pretty tough in the NL rounds, again after you play at least 1000 hands against the various players, then they really start to nail your weaknesses.

hope this helps,
the Real Macoy

[RED_RAIN]

If it's for a home cash game. I think about what it will be like to bust someone who is new or thinks they are good with a suited semi-connected hand.

If it's a home tournament. I always believe in myself that I will get first or second. Second if I get dicked.

If it's going to casino for ring game, I think about how much I'm losing by not playing online.

If it's a casino tournament. I think about how great it's gonna be to get top 3 and tell bicyclekick.

[jtr]

Oh my god, he guessed about the underwear. /images/graemlins/blush.gif

Seriously, thanks for the PA comments, Macoy. Much appreciated.

[Etaipo]

Home game: Set the table top and chairs up, count out chips into stacks for tournament play, or into $5 or $10 bags for cash games. Put on one of my poker t-shirts (usually P-O-K-E-R K-I-N-G) or my dogs playing poker button down shirt. Put on my cap. Wait for everyone to show up late. Visualize myself with a massive stack in front of me at the end of the night.

Casino: Get dressed, jeans with studded belt, collared preppy shirt, cap. Drive, listen to music at loud volumes. Visualize myself with a massive stack in front of me at the end of the night.

[theRealMacoy]

jpo,

it's okay to admit if you wear skooby doo uderwear as well.

glad i could help regarding the PA,

Cheers,
the Real Macoy

ps. Etapio - damn that tongue creeps me out....makes me consider our early reptilialn ancestry, which is clearly stronger with you....rock on!

[jaxUp]

I really only have one when I am playing with people that I don't know. I don't have a ritual in my regular home game. Everybody who knows me knows that I am too soft to be the tough guy I like to play at the table, so it' fun to play with strangers. I try to go for my best "scum of the earth" look.

First I put on my baggy grey sweatpants, and equally baggy matching grey hoodie. I put up the hood, and slide on my oldest reeboks (circa 1999). I make sure not to shave the day of or the day before the game, so as to ensure the degenerate that I am going for. Once I get to the table I don't say anything to anyone for at least the first half-hour and slouch like it's my job.

[The Armchair]

[ QUOTE ]
I eat only chicken the day of a game.
I draw a symbol that means “To Life” in the felt before every hand.
Windsprints 16 minutes before the session starts. Batting practice 2 hours 16 minutes before it starts.
150 grounders in infield practice.

-adam

[/ QUOTE ]

You're still a sellout. Tampa Bay?

[AlohaBob]

I live in Jacksonville, FL. Lots of ex-Navy players, so my home game always begins with the playing of our national anthem.

[grandgnu]

[ QUOTE ]
Hello Gentlemen,

How do you prepare for that big game/tournament?
What routines do you have, if any?
Do you dress in a particular way (i.e., coolest shirt/hat)?

I am talking for home/private games. If there is a seperate way for casino lets hear it! (e.g., you dress in a particular way for the casino v.s. a private game)

As for me, I run a group called the "Gentlemen's Poker League". It seems everyone tries to wear the most outlandinsh clothes possible. Generally I go with a 1950's tie and short sleeve dress shirt with a '70 three-piece suit vest. As far as preparation, I go through my book on the various members and their game. Then I play a few hands of Poker Academy, listening to some kicking music to get me psyched.


Let's hear frow you......

Cheers,
the Real Macoy

[/ QUOTE ]

Our group is WAY gayer than yours. We call ourselves "Sweatin' To The Foldie's" and we all try to dress up as Richard Simmons and act as outlandishly as possible (we rub our stacks, we sweat all over the felt, wear pink headbands, etc.)

[3rdEye]

I usually go with ~ a 12-pack of Miller Lite and an 8-ball, but that's not for everyone.

J/K /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[smartalecc5]

[ QUOTE ]
Home game: Set the table top and chairs up, count out chips into stacks for tournament play, or into $5 or $10 bags for cash games. Put on one of my poker t-shirts (usually P-O-K-E-R K-I-N-G) or my dogs playing poker button down shirt. Put on my cap. Wait for everyone to show up late. Visualize myself with a massive stack in front of me at the end of the night.

Casino: Get dressed, jeans with studded belt, collared preppy shirt, cap. Drive, listen to music at loud volumes. Visualize myself with a massive stack in front of me at the end of the night.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol at POKER KING shirt (I have one too) and everyone always shows up to my home games late too!

[Suited Deuce]

The pre-game countdown begins by rubbing one out to donkeys_n_hoes.com with Burt Bacharach's Greatest Hits playing in the background. This is followed by a meal of hummus and sheep testicles and a nice 2003 Bedel Cabernet, while watching Sylvester Stallone's cinemagraphic zenith, "Over The Top." Come game time: ship it.

/images/graemlins/spade.gif