My Biggest Poker Problem

fire_fly · #1 05-19-2005, 08:09 AM

Hi, I'll try and make this quick.

The biggest problem I see myself having in the future of my poker game is my emotional stability.

By this I mean, though I am definately getting better, not feeling mentally stressed when multiple bad beats are put on me, doing stupid [censored] which I believe really can affect ones health and well being long term.

I used to bang my head on the wall [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I don't do that any more. I used to stand up and yell when something particularly bad happened (multiple bad beats in quick succession.) I'm getting much better at this, but am still not perfect.

I'd like to find a book of some sort, maybe Zen philosophy? I remember hearing about some religion or way of life that advocates riding out the bumps of life with calm because one knows that life is just like that. Though I'm sure this philosophy was not meant for poker, I think it would really apply at the tables. Anyone know what philosophy I'm speaking of?

And this isn't a huge problem by any means, but it's just funny. Now, when I'm not playing, I can look back at all the beats I've had and not feel a thing, just shrug and know that people make me money by being dumb. But there are times when I'm playing that I fly off the handle somewhat. I would love to be able to just shrug it off and have it not effect me at the time. Thanks for your time.

helpmeout · #2 05-19-2005, 08:46 AM

Zen and the Art of Poker
The Tao of Poker

popniklas · #3 05-19-2005, 08:52 AM

Inside the Poker Mind by John Feeney. Great book, both for discussions of tilt and other subjets.

jb9 · #4 05-19-2005, 09:05 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Zen and the Art of Poker
The Tao of Poker

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll 2nd the recommendation for The Tao of Poker. I found it helpful when I was getting too frustrated.

Haven't read Zen, but it is by the same author (Larry Phillips).

Zetack · #5 05-19-2005, 09:53 AM

Surf porn while you play. Can't spare the time to get uselessly upset when you have to get back to the good stuff.

Wes ManTooth · #6 05-19-2005, 09:58 AM

Post this in the Psychology Forum, you may get some more thought provoking responces.

phish · #7 05-19-2005, 10:59 AM

I think you ought to go back to banging your head against the wall. I find it sometimes helps to knock the bad luck out of my brain.

Ianco15 · #8 05-19-2005, 11:10 AM

I throw things. There's a dent in my wall from a stapler that I need to fix if I want to get my deposit back.

ckessel · #9 05-19-2005, 12:35 PM

It might be tougher if I relied on the money, but that said..

I just remind myself it's all "other people's money" at this point. I started poker for fun and long ago cashed out enough to cover whatever poker expenses I've incurred (books, software, deposits, etc).

I'll never really lose a penny at this point. It's all free money I'm playing with...and this is supposed to be for fun.

fire_fly · #10 05-19-2005, 04:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]

I just remind myself it's all "other people's money" at this point. I started poker for fun and long ago cashed out enough to cover whatever poker expenses I've incurred (books, software, deposits, etc).

I'll never really lose a penny at this point. It's all free money I'm playing with...and this is supposed to be for fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like this. It is very true for me at this point also, so I wouldn't be lying to myself if I thought the same way.

Thanks for the book recommendations guys, I'll look into those.

And I wasn't aware that there was a philosophy part of the forum here...