little exitedness you get when you flop a big hand

[Mikey]

ok, here is the thing, when I have a big hand, I get really exited, fumbling hands, my heart starts pumping, I feel very nervous, I'm exited I'm going to win a big pot.

You know what I mean...right??

What are some mental strategies... or mental tricks you can play on yourself, to not get overly exited, to calm yourself down in these situations.

Here is one way I try to do it, for instance, I'm in hand, and I flop a set of 9's lets say, top set.

9c 3d 4h.

Its tough not to get exited with the nuts. But what I try to do is, I try to think, hmm, what is the best way to extract money out of my opponnents should I try for a check raise or bet this one out. How can I play this hand optimally. , not....... OMG I flopped a set of 9's....... OMG!! OMG!!!

Another thing too...when I'm in a casino...and I see someone fumbling and playing with chips and stuff, they try not to get exited but they do and I can see right through them, sometimes I can see it perfectly clear, it turns on like a light bulb.

I WANT TO GET RID OF THIS!

Any other mental tricks you can play on yourself to not get overly exited??

[mosch]

The answer to this is basically: play more poker.

I find I have a bit of the same problem when I'm playing someplace unfamiliar, but after a while I get accustomed to my surroundings and I'm able to just play again. For me it's just a matter of getting fully comfortable at that table, in that room, with those players.

[Gahnia radula]

There was a similar post to this a while back, i cant remember who posted it (you can check the archives if your really keen).

The general concensus was like mosch already said. Play more poker. Keep playing and there will be plenty of times when you flop/turn/river monsters, and as you spend more time at the table you'll fell more comfortable and relaxed.

I went through the same thing when i first started playing in a casino, increased heart rate, shaky hands etc. But as my casino experience increased i found that when i floped a monster the "exitedness" died down, because i'd been in that situation many times before.

Just stick with it, take deep breaths but becarefull not to let the table see it, and as your expereince increases the "excitedness" will eventually fade.

I know it sucks to get one of those have patience replies, but the reality of it is that, thats all you can do.

[Homer]

Any other mental tricks you can play on yourself to not get overly exited??

Pessimism works nicely for me. Even with top set of 9's on a 943r board, I see all the ways I can lose (someone with 25/56 could catch an open-ender, 26/A5/57 could catch gutter, xxs could go runner-runner for the flush, etc), so I don't get too excited. Of course, this also works against me at times, making it so I don't get full value out of hands.

-- Homer

[onegymrat]

Mikey,

As most others have said, play more poker and the controlled nerves will come naturally to you. Try this from now on though. Handle each and every hand you're dealt the same way from now on. Have double the chips in your hand on every street, whether you're raising or not, so you are ready to raise. Hold the cards the same way preflop whether you are calling or mucking. Make no movements before it's your turn to act. If you do this each and every time you play, it will begin to be habit. This habit will lessen your tells so the only time they can see that you've flopped a monster is if they can see your heartbeat through your shirt. Good luck.

[Mikey]

easier said then done. But I'm working on it.

[SlipFits]

I had the same prob. really bad at first, but it has started to die down, I find the pessimest approach works, after having a few cracked on the river you get a little less excited the next time!

[onegymrat]

Homer,

Quit messing with the boy and just tell him to stop drinking so much coffee!

[Dov]

Playing more poker will help, but not as much as truly understanding the game. This is not a game of short term wins. You are too results oriented right now. Simply make each decision in the context of your 'life long poker game'

When you play like that, you don't attach so much importance to any one hand. One of consequences is that you won't get so excited.

You should also check out the book 'Zen and the Art of Poker'

[JayKon]

As some have pointed out, top set gets cracked all of the time. You need to stay aware of who is in the pot, what they are doing, and the range of hands they are likely to pay you off with.

So, you have top set (9's), bet and got 3 callers - what do they have? What is your position to a pre-flop raiser? Did the big-blind defend? Did he call the flop? Is someone else betting, raising?

How coordinated is the board!

In short, there is still a lot to do to win the maximum, or sometimes lose the minimum.

Jay

[VinnyTheFish]

1) play more cards, get used to flopping monsters. (everyone agrees there).

2) Just relax and Think! Look for the absolute nut and see if someone else is freaking! i.e. you have 4/images/graemlins/heart.gif4/images/graemlins/diamond.gif, flop comes 4/images/graemlins/club.gif9/images/graemlins/club.gif9/images/graemlins/spade.gif. Obviously someone holding a 9/images/graemlins/heart.gif9/images/graemlins/diamond.gif has you even if the 4/images/graemlins/spade.gif hits. But some holding 9-x!!! or 4-x maight stay in. Is there a suited combo that could connect the 9/images/graemlins/club.gif, 4/images/graemlins/club.gif for a str8-flush if there is a runner-runner (5/images/graemlins/club.gif,6/images/graemlins/club.gif), and the bozo is holding 7/images/graemlins/club.gif,T/images/graemlins/club.gif? Think about it. You'll keep your mind counting cards instead of the chips going to your pile.

We've all seen it! They do not call it a bad beat for nothing.
Train yourself. Relax and enjoy and the ride!