Burnt Out from Poker

[balt999]

Something strange to me happened while I was playing 4-8 Hold em at Texas Station in Las Vegas on Saturday....I found myself bored to death...As a result I didn't play my best game and ended up having a losing session.

As I was driving home, I found myself saying, "This isn't fun anymore." I'm a winning player, so it wasn't a string of bad luck or losing sessions that brought this thinking on..It's just the grind of the entire thing....Playing poker scene..

I love the game of poker, so is there anything I could do to avoid the burnt out I feel right now?

Incidently, I told myself I'm nothing going to play for a while...hopefully, I can get out of this funk and enjoy the game of poker once more...

[Jimbo]

balt999,

Try playing Keno for a few hours, watch a golf match during a 2 hour long rain delay and eat some bland pudding. After this poker will again seem exciting!

[Vehn]

Play higher.

[PokerBabe(aka)]

Actually, Vehn's suggestion is not so out of bounds here. Sometimes, the very preditability of the game you play causes boredom. If you are routinely beating the 4-8, it may be time for a little change of scenery. Take off a week or so and then move up a limit. LGPG, Babe

[Zeno]

Learn some new games - 4/8 omaha high-low, or 1-5 7-card stud. Rest- Read a few good books. Challenge yourself and play at a higher limit as others have suggested. Or -

Quit altogether and Do something else.

-Zeno

[D.J.]

You might try a new poker room, Texas Station is not very exciting, also, playing higher will at least help you concentrate more and play better. Or... you could do what I always do, take a couple days off, watch Rounders, and head straight for the casino, this usually does it for me, it's kind of like a pump up movie for poker players. Kind of like I used to watch The Natural before big baseball games, hope that helped.

-D.J.

[Mike Gallo]

Since I do not have to play for a living I feel the exact same way. I have too many other things I would like to do with my free time, other than play cards.

I took a semi break, and I dont know when I will return either. I didnt stop playing because of bad beats or anything like that. I just needed a break.

If you identified a problem, then correct it and move on. You will be back in the saddle before you know it.

Michael [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

You're posting on 2+2.

[ripdog]

I have been in your shoes, driving home from a session and thinking about how much fun I didn't have. I wound up taking about a year off. My wife would always ask why I didn't want to play anymore and my reply was always that it just didn't sound like it would be any fun. Take a break and don't play again until you want to. No time limits. Stay involved with this site, though. Good luck and I'm certain that you'll find your lust for the game again.

[balt999]

Thanks for the advice!

I think the boredom comes from the fact of the limits I play. I'm a winning low limit player, who plays with the same faces almost every week, so I know just about how everyone plays and I know what button to push and when to push them...the social security rocks are easy to manupilate at the Station Casinos. I can easily make 60-70 bucks every time I play with them....

I'll play at the Mirage 10-20 about once or twice a month, and in the times I've played, I've won, and enjoyed the challenge more cause the players were always different, but what's holding me back from playing those limit consistently is my bankroll (Hey, gotta pay my bills first).

I think Vehn's solution of playing higher limits is a good suggestion, and will probably take his advice and play more 10-20 or 15-30...

Then again, I just need time away from the game....to recharge my batteries.....and that means no online playing this week....but I love the game too much so I may be back in the game this weekend...Also, it will give a chance to do some Christmas Shopping before the rush