A Question For Dr. Al (and anyone else who cares)

[PokerProdigy]

I play poker online, so sometimes I get kinda bored. Unlike at the casino's there is no one for me to talk to. So I was recently thinking that maybe I should listen to music while I play. Since you are a psychologist you probably understand the brain (and how it is distracted and how it concentrates, etc...) much better than everyone else here. So I was wondering if listening to music is a good or bad idea while trying to play poker? And more importantly, why?

[shermn27]

Without doing a psychinfo search, I seem to recall that there have been a plethora of studies done music and peformance inhibition and enhancement. I think most results generalize that it just depends on the person. Some people study well when there is music going on, others cannot. I listened to music while I played at a single table, but since I started multi-tabling, I find that it slows down processor time, takes up space on the program bar, and I am not really bored anymore b/c there is so much going on. I have thought about playing music on my radio instead of on the PC if I want something to listen to though.

[PokerProdigy]

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I have thought about playing music on my radio instead of on the PC if I want something to listen to though.

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Yeah, I have been using a CD player because if I try to listen on the computer I get disconnected.

[slik]

nothing really knew to add. depends on the individual. i personally lose concentration if i am studying with music. but even for those that maintain concentration, the type of music prolly effects emotions which in turn affects your ad hoc strategy. i.e. gangsta rap might make you aggressive lol

[winky51]

For me techno allows my brain to function in a rythmic pattern focusing my conentration. Not rediculous SUPER bang bang bang techno. More lighter techno or Enigma. The constant drum beat keeps my mind level and removes outsite noise and interference. But this is me. Classical will probably have a similar effect.

I would suggest trying different musics. Different foods affect my play too.

The brain is an amazing thing affected by many things. In a game like poker your brain is the weapon, keep it well oiled.

I try all sorts of different things to keep focused.

[mungpo]

I always listen to music while I am playing. I don't actually hear the music when I am concentrating, I kind of zone out and focus on poker. When I don't need to think I go back to music.

[StellarWind]

My personal experience is that listening to music seriously interferes with multitable play.

[RydenStoompala]

I could still write and pass a 4th year university exam if I was listening to certain Mozart compositions, and that was from using headphones in the library 15 years ago. The music/concentration/memory link is definitely there, at least for me. The same thing sometimes works with smells, but getting my ex girfriend to sit on my lap during a poker game would not go over well at home.

[noggindoc]

[ QUOTE ]
I play poker online, so sometimes I get kinda bored. Unlike at the casino's there is no one for me to talk to. So I was recently thinking that maybe I should listen to music while I play. Since you are a psychologist you probably understand the brain (and how it is distracted and how it concentrates, etc...) much better than everyone else here. So I was wondering if listening to music is a good or bad idea while trying to play poker? And more importantly, why?

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how about opening another table?

[Macint0sh]

I alway listen to music. I can't concentrate without it. If I don't have music playing I just start thinking about everything else.

It feels like the music keeps part of my brain busy so that the rest can concentrate on what I'm doing at the moment. But keep in mind that this comes from a guy that turns on his stereo first thing in the morning and it's the last thing he turns off at night. Did I mention I always take my Ipod with me when I leave the house? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]