I have a Focusing Problem

Rasputin · #1 08-07-2005, 12:54 AM

I think my A game is pretty good--not spectacular, not pro-worthy, but solid successful poker.

I have a problem not playing my A game enough. I'll play well for an hour or so but then I'll start thing that maybe it's not too bad if I cold call with KTo or that maybe the guy that raised preflop doesn't really have a good king when he pushes a king high flop. So I pay my price and I tell myself I'm an idiot, then an hour later I do the same thing again.

I want to put a stop to it. Anyone got any tricks or techniques to use to help maintain that focus?

BluffTHIS! · #2 08-07-2005, 01:35 AM

There is a thread in the philosophy forum entitled willpower you might want to read, as well as the corresponding chapter of the same name in Poker, Gaming & Life by Sklansky that you definitely need to read.

SNOWBALL138 · #3 08-07-2005, 03:45 AM

Generally you have to lose a lot of money before you realize how important it is to focus.

Rasputin · #4 08-07-2005, 12:29 PM

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Generally you have to lose a lot of money before you realize how important it is to focus.

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Did I somehow give you the impression that I thought focus was unimportant? Do people normally come here asking for help on things that are irrelevant?

SNOWBALL138 · #5 08-08-2005, 10:47 AM

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Quote:
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Generally you have to lose a lot of money before you realize how important it is to focus.

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Did I somehow give you the impression that I thought focus was unimportant? Do people normally come here asking for help on things that are irrelevant?

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Knowing and KNOWING are two different things. I just mean to say that intellectually comprehending that focusing is important is different from feeling that it is important. In the short run, your feelings are more important than your knowledge.
You can know that lack of focus will hurt your winrate, but are more likely to feel the need to focus after you experience the repercussions of losing focus.

Here's the best analogy I can think of. If you are being attacked by a mean dog, you will know and feel how important it is to your safety to run away from/fight with the dog. However, if you are smoking crack you will probably know, but not feel that it is important to your health to not smoke crack.

mockingbird · #6 08-07-2005, 11:24 AM

If you're not a pro and you're talking about on-line play, why play more than an hour?

Play an hour, go to the gym. Play an hour, pay some bills. Play an hour, call a friend. Play an hour, go meet a date, or whatever.

Alot of success in life is knowing who we are and what suits us.

Rasputin · #7 08-07-2005, 12:31 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you're not a pro and you're talking about on-line play, why play more than an hour?

Play an hour, go to the gym. Play an hour, pay some bills. Play an hour, call a friend. Play an hour, go meet a date, or whatever.

Alot of success in life is knowing who we are and what suits us.

[/ QUOTE ]

I want to be able to sit down for three or four hours a couple times a week and play solid poker. I don't think that's all that much to ask of myself.

TStoneMBD · #8 08-07-2005, 04:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I want to be able to sit down for three or four hours a couple times a week and play solid poker. I don't think that's all that much to ask of myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

it kind of is considering that you cant do it. focussing in poker is kind of a "just do it" type of thing. noone is going to teach you how to focus.

i also find it rude how you responded to snowball's post. i feel that his post is not only witty, but helpful as it indirectly gets an important point across.

Rasputin · #9 08-08-2005, 10:02 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I want to be able to sit down for three or four hours a couple times a week and play solid poker. I don't think that's all that much to ask of myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

it kind of is considering that you cant do it. focussing in poker is kind of a "just do it" type of thing. noone is going to teach you how to focus.

i also find it rude how you responded to snowball's post. i feel that his post is not only witty, but helpful as it indirectly gets an important point across.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I found his response rather rude. I ask if anyone has any tips on helping to focus and he says focusing is important.

Some folks have tried to be helpful, and I appreciate their responses.

intheflatfield · #10 08-08-2005, 02:36 PM

I have to combat this problem as well. What works for me is to try and guess other's hands around the table even when I'm not involved as little side game. Hopefully, it will eventually improve my reading skills.

Also I find it helpful to simply keep track of raises from other people. What did they raise w/ and from what position. Are the betting as if they know they are doing? etc. I think keeping a mental dialogue going w/ myself keeps me from lapsing..