Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 139 Location: Kenosha, WI
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: Maintaining Focus
Lately, my live poker game has tailed off considerably as I find myself sitting at the table too long. I can generally focus very well for the first three to four hours of my session, but after that it seems like a downward slope. To keep myself sharp, I try to take frequent breaks - especially after big wins or big losses. I also use a variety of breathing techniques that can temporarily stimulate you and relieve stress, but at the end of the day it just seems like I can't find a way to keep that "edge" at the table and prevent myself from becoming too mentally exhausted to notice every detail of my opponents play. The end result is I usually just sit there and play my own cards as my stamina reduces. I believe part of this is due to my preparation before casino gambling. The day before I go to the casino, I always make sure to get a full nights sleep and then before I go I always drink a few cups of coffee and take some Excedrin. In part, I think it is the dropoff from this rush that kills me. So, the question is - how do you maintain your focus in online and live poker? Are there any sort of mental activities or methods that the true grinders in the poker world use?
I don't know anything about Exedrin, but I do know that coffee comes with a build in 'crash', which it why some people (especially workaholics) get addicted to caffeine in the same way as other drugs.
I can really see two solutions to your problem.
1. The easiest way is to play shorter sessions. Cap your sessions at 4 hours and don't be afraid to walk away if you find yourself getting tired and distracted before then. You don't say whether you are a professional or casual player, but if it is the latter then there is no need to kill yourself with mammoth sessions.
2. Try to find the source of the problem. I am no doctor, but I've heard that a lack in energy and concentration can be caused by generally poor health and other things. Getting a good night's sleep is a good start, but maybe instead of the coffee, try going for a run or a few laps around the pool.
Obviously everybody has different attention spans and these can be difficult to stretch, but there is a chance that your problem is more physical than psychological.
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