Psychological Strength Training

BlindingLaser · #1 10-20-2005, 09:19 AM

Is there any way to become more comfortable with higher swings? Does the brain slowly build up a tolerance for it? I've progressed over the past year from micro-limits all the way up to 15/30 and 20/40. Obviously, a $1,000 swing a year ago would have been mind-boggling to me, but a $6,000+ swing is, while not peanuts, easily conceivable within the realm of possibility for me, now. Clearly, comfort level with swings is partially a function of bankroll...but is there a way to build yourself to become more comfortable with large swings, besides just continuing to go through them?

soko · #2 10-20-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm pretty sure there are certian parts of the brain you can damage that are responsible for the emotional responce to losing money that you value.

SNOWBALL138 · #3 10-20-2005, 10:50 PM

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I'm pretty sure there are certian parts of the brain you can damage that are responsible for the emotional responce to losing money that you value.

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thats an interesting idea. I have no idea if its even remotely scientific, but building up higher risk tolerance feels like building scar tissue from time to time.

vexvelour · #4 10-21-2005, 01:36 AM

Moving from .1/.2 to .25/.50 online is like a brainfuck for me.

I wish there was a secret. I think the key is like cooking. Add a little at a time, and soon you have smooooooth batter.

I watch the food network a lot.

jmgurgeh · #5 10-23-2005, 02:43 PM

I tilted badly during the summer while at the Wynn ($4-8) with some friends. I had enough sense to get up. Later I talked to one of the guys we went with who lives in Vegas and plays for a living. I asked him how he dealt with terrible, terrible runs and the frustration. He said it just didn't bother him anymore, he'd seen so much of it. I think it's just a matter of time. Internet poker allows people to move up very fast if they can, but that means you haven't necessarily spent very long at any one limit. I think if you grind through for a year or more at the same limit, swings you've already experienced many times before are no longer that big a deal (been there, done that).