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Server Time: 3/12/2010 8:24:26 AM PACIFIC |
 In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 07:58 | ||
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| This weekend, after my first 9 or 10 straight hours of playing, I entered "the zone", and it was wonderful. I was stuck about 2-3 bills at this point, after enduring a few nasty beats and some looooong very dry stretches (during which I felt like I was "not really at the table", because I simply wasn't going to win any hands - ever get that feeling?) But then, all of a sudden, I decided that I didn't care about my net result for that session, my bottom line, etc. I decided I was just going to play really really well, and not let any emotions get in the way. And that's what I did. I was a Zen Master. I got rivered and I Didn't Care. I had no temptation to play bad hands out of position. My reads were very clear. I value bet/raised marginal holdings. (For eg, I 3-bet an aggressive check-raiser holding just small trips on the river with impunity.) I was very, very confident, yet emotionally detached. I slowly worked my stack up back to even, without a huge number of great starting hands or wonderful flops. If I could always play in "the zone", I would definitely quit any attempt at finding a real job and just play poker professionally. The problem is that I just don't think I can do this. Too often, I'm sitting there, feeling emotional and worried about people drawing out on me yet again, feeling like a tell factory (whether this is warranted or not), constantly aware of how much I'm up or down by, etc. etc. and all of these factors get in the way of me playing excellent poker. My bottom line is where it "should" be for a winning player: ~1.2 BB/hr. However, I know I can beat the game for more than this; if I could play constantly "in the zone", I am confident that I'd be making more in the ballpark of 1.7 or 1.8 BB/hr, and that's a huge difference. Can anyone out there honestly say that they are always "in the zone" when they are at the table? In particular, Andrew, 4 POKER, any other pros out there - if you don't feel like the Zen Master when you sit down, do you simply refrain from playing? Is there anything in particular you do before, or during, a session to obtain or maintain this state of cool, relaxed, detached calm and confidence? For me, this state is the exception, not the rule, and I would very much like to reverse this. Thanks for any thoughts/comments :O) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., JunglingS, 2. Jun 2003 08:19 | ||
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| It sounds like you've been watching your bottom line, and been playing according to this. I've seen players who play altogether too tight when they are down, as they feel they "have to get even", and altogether too loose when doing well so that they can try to bull the table. Heck, pretty much describes me when I'm really on tilt. The only time this kind of player plays really well is when they're even, because they aren't trying to get even, and they aren't trying to push people around. All this kind of play really does is make you win small pots when you're down, and leak money when you're up. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 08:44 | ||
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| Hmm..by bottom line, do you mean the current size of my stack? Bottom line usually refers to longterm win rate/profit, but your comments make more sense if you're referring to the former. Yeah, I think my stack size often does affect (slightly, at least) the way I play, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm way too tight when I'm down or I leak chips when I'm up. When I've been winning a lot, I tend to play slightly looser/more aggressive than usual, but this isn't careless play so much as it's an attempt to exploit my opponent's fear and respect for my good run. One thing I *will* do, which is obviously not profitable, is play a lot tighter/weaker than I should in the last round or so of a session when I'm up, but not significantly. I think this is because I want to book a win, and one or two bad hands can turn the session into a loss. I know - baaad. Obviously, in general, stack size shouldn't be a significant factor in how to play a limit ring game profitably. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., JunglingS, 2. Jun 2003 09:55 | ||
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| I'm sorry that wasn't horribly clear. I was referring to stack size, and I'm referring to an extreme case. Size does make some difference, but it shouldn't be the basis of your game. What I'm referring to is tilt. . . Bad tilt. Basically, you sit down, the first three or four hands you play look good, and you get drawn out on. Now you're starting to tilt, and your stack is getting to look short, so you start to play tighter than a snare drum. All of the sudden you get lucky, and you're up. Now, you're still on tilt, but you have some chips, so you start betting your K5o to the hilt, and the guy with pocket Jacks nails you. Back down, and it starts all over again. . . This is, rather unfortunately, how I end up losing money hard and fast. If you see me doing this, I'm on tilt in the worst way, and I'd appreciate it being pointed out to me, as I don't seem to notice until I'm close to broke. Good thing this almost doesn't happen anymore, and when it does I seem to realize it earlier and can get away from the table. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Andrew Wells, 2. Jun 2003 18:24 | ||
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| It's a weakness in my game also when I intend to take a small win and am just playing until the blinds. Such is the essence of ambivalance to get dealt pocket jacks under this condition. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., gary ford, 2. Jun 2003 08:28 | ||
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| on 2. Jun 2003 07:58 Wren wrote: > This weekend, after my first 9 or 10 straight hours of playing, I entered "the > zone", and it was wonderful. I was stuck about 2-3 bills at this point, after > enduring a few nasty beats and some looooong very dry stretches (during which I > felt like I was "not really at the table", because I simply wasn't going to win > any hands - ever get that feeling?) But then, all of a sudden, I decided that I > didn't care about my net result for that session, my bottom line, etc. I decided > I was just going to play really really well, and not let any emotions get in the > way. And that's what I did. I was a Zen Master. I got rivered and I Didn't Care. > I had no temptation to play bad hands out of position. My reads were very clear. > I value bet/raised marginal holdings. (For eg, I 3-bet an aggressive > check-raiser holding just small trips on the river with impunity.) I was very, > very confident, yet emotionally detached. I slowly worked my stack up back to > even, without a huge number of great starting hands or wonderful flops. > > If I could always play in "the zone", I would definitely quit any attempt at > finding a real job and just play poker professionally. The problem is that I > just don't think I can do this. Too often, I'm sitting there, feeling emotional > and worried about people drawing out on me yet again, feeling like a tell > factory (whether this is warranted or not), constantly aware of how much I'm up > or down by, etc. etc. and all of these factors get in the way of me playing > excellent poker. My bottom line is where it "should" be for a winning player: > ~1.2 BB/hr. However, I know I can beat the game for more than this; if I could > play constantly "in the zone", I am confident that I'd be making more in the > ballpark of 1.7 or 1.8 BB/hr, and that's a huge difference. > > Can anyone out there honestly say that they are always "in the zone" when they > are at the table? In particular, Andrew, 4 POKER, any other pros out there - if > you don't feel like the Zen Master when you sit down, do you simply refrain from > playing? Is there anything in particular you do before, or during, a session to > obtain or maintain this state of cool, relaxed, detached calm and confidence? > For me, this state is the exception, not the rule, and I would very much like to > reverse this. > > Thanks for any thoughts/comments :O) Wren, you and studioh are among the more thoughtful players among the posters. i would guess that you both are in your 20s and if so, that is part of the challenge your'e facing. The "zone" you are refering to is what all athletes attempt to find and you see constant references to it in the sports world. The Zen-like feeling you had comes over you unannounced and i think you would like to control it. Try eliminating the things that prevent Zen from arriving. Specifically the emotions that bedevil us all. Your aswer was contained in your post " i was just going to play really really well and not let emotions get in the way". That's what " focus ", that badly overused word, is all about. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 09:01 | ||
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| Thanks Gary...it's good to know that my posts/responses have some value to other members of this forum (and aren't just inane, self-important ramblings ;) I'm not sure how I was able to turn on the focus so easily during my last session. I often find myself sitting in a game, feeling my mind drift easily, realizing that a hand's gone by and I have no idea who won, realizing that a new player's now in the game and not remembering when he/she sat down, etc. And then I tell myself "FOCUS!! FOCUS!!" but it just doesn't work :-/ I think my control and calm during my last session, at least partially, came from how long I'd been playing. I wasn't thinking of anything else. I was fully entrenched in a "poker mindset". And everything just seemed crystal clear - there's no point in getting angry, anxious or paranoid. There's no point in worrying about short term results. The only thing that matters is playing well. Most of the time, though, it's difficult to fully appreciate and understand it though, 'cause of all the mental diarrhea getting in the way :O) I wonder if meditating before a poker session would help clear it away from the get-go? Maybe that would be something to try out...? BTW yes, stdio and I are both in our mid 20s. Good call. :O) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Andrew Wells, 2. Jun 2003 18:37 | ||
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| What happened was that you were no longer playing for money. You truly decided to play each hand the best you could. When you do that, the money just takes care of itself. It is possible to fool the conscious mind into that condition. For example, by just saying "make it three bets" instead of "reraise" or "fifteen". Your goal is to stop thinking about the money, just bets. Always have stacks in front of you instead of cash under your chips, and always buy-in for enough so that even if you get stuck 20-30 bets it still looks to a new player like you are beating the game. It's not money until you cash out, the key to your zen state is in that belief. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., GKrause, 2. Jun 2003 09:09 | ||
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| I was definitely in "The Zone" this weekend as well. It's an altogether great feeling when every semi-bluff, bet, raise, checkraise and laydown feels like the correct play. When you're truly in the zone, even regarding those pots you don't win due to the miracle gutshot card coming on the river, you still just KNOW that you played the hand as perfectly as you could have, and move on. I think that is, for me, the major benefit when I get in "the zone": Ppl truly in the zone are immune to tilt, and their play reflects it. "The Zone" averaged me about 7BB/hr this weekend, quite the amazing rush. I'd also like to take the time to personally thank everyone responsible for the WPT, and for the online sites for advertising it so much. I think it's kinda like when ppl would watch Bob Ross paint (you know, the guy with the squirrel and the fro who is no longer with us). "Whoa, painting's EASY!!!" God bless the WPT for producing this new influx of online players with a similar effect. -GKrause | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., shorn, 2. Jun 2003 09:15 | ||
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| I LOVED that painting guy. I could watch him for hours. So eerily soothing was his voice and (give it up for him people), he was pretty darn good at what he did. On the other hand, I was most definitely NOT in the zone for my online session yesterday...too many bad beats strung together turns Steve into "Loosey Goosey Semi-Tilt Man." Believe me...he is bad for bankroll... :( | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 2. Jun 2003 12:11 | ||
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| I really miss Bob. Wasn't it Bob Roberts though? The afro hair painting show guy? Well, whatever - I grew up watching him. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 12:25 | ||
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| d00ds...I have no idea what y'all are talking about. Who IS this guy?? | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., MozMan, 2. Jun 2003 12:29 | ||
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| He was the painting guy that used to have a show on PBS. He had a really soothing voice an a big ol' afro. And he say things like "We're gonna make a tree now," in that soothing voice and this perfectly painted tree would appear on his canvas and you'd just be amazed and rivetted to the TV in a complete state of calm. It was truly amazing... -Moz "There is no spoon." | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 12:32 | ||
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| Hmm. Apparently I had a deprived childhood. :) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., SKinner, 2. Jun 2003 13:14 | ||
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| on 2. Jun 2003 12:32 Wren wrote: > Hmm. Apparently I had a deprived childhood. :) It was before your time, dear. –SKinner | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 13:28 | ||
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| Then how come stdio knows about it? *stamps foot* *sulks* | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 2. Jun 2003 14:24 | ||
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| Well, in all fairness I was probably about 4 years old and they were probably reruns then. Plus, I used to watch "Almost Live" when I was a kid - a staple of Seattle television - and they would parody old Bob quite well. "Now we'll make a bush and maybe behind the bush we'll have a little guy crouching down. That's right here's his hat. He's waiting for some American GIs to fall into his trap. Yeah, a little VC back there just waiting to spring into action. BLOODIE COMMIE!" Heheheh. Fond memories. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., GKrause, 3. Jun 2003 07:30 | ||
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| Stidoh, you're my new hero. I used to LOVE Almost Live, and none of my other friends ever know what I am talking about, even the ones who can entire conversations with me in obscure movie quotes! | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 3. Jun 2003 09:17 | ||
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| Heheh...thanks. Yeah, I grew up with the antics of Be Like Billy (Kwan) and Bill Nie as Speed Walker. I'll never understand why that show didn't become a global concern. So good...especially their new years countdowns. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., noiseboy, 2. Jun 2003 09:19 | ||
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| You mentioned the key to "the zone" yourself in your post. It's all about "detachment" from short term results. I've been able to acheive this at times, for instance, during some of my recent tournament successes, I felt as if my reads were all dead on, and I was playing the best poker of my life. However, I don't think anybody plays their best game 100% of the time. When you are running bad and the poker gods seem to hate you, it's just really hard to think "I don't care, I made the right decision" when your bankroll is getting destroyed. I think perhaps mental preparation like visualization and meditation could be helpful. I do this, though not in a particularly formal way. When I take a bad beat, I find a few deep slow breaths keep me off tilt. However, it is still a weakness of my game that I play better when I'm running good, and bad beats still throw me off my game at times. It's something just about every poker player has to work on. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., MozMan, 2. Jun 2003 09:34 | ||
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| on 2. Jun 2003 09:19 noiseboy wrote: > I think perhaps mental preparation like visualization and meditation could be > helpful. I do this, though not in a particularly formal way. When I take a bad > beat, I find a few deep slow breaths keep me off tilt. However, it is still a > weakness of my game that I play better when I'm running good, and bad beats still > throw me off my game at times. It's something just about every poker player has to > work on. This is excellent advice. I also have a few things I like to do before I head to the casino that seem to get me in that place... kind of a routine. The more I stick to it, the better I play. In another post, I mentioned that I take some time (just a few minutes) focussing on starting hand requirements, reminding myself what I'm allowing myself to play under what general circumstances; and I will read a chapter or so from the Tao of Poker. I also have certain music that I will listen to in the car that helps me feel 'up' and confident. I always drive the same route, and with the music playing, I give myself a little pep-talk... kind of a mantra, like pseudo-meditation... essesntially, I tell myself over and over that I'm a better player than the other people who will be at the table. When I'm lazy about these things, my play will usually suffer because I'm more distracted, less self-confident and thinking too much about what and how to play. I've also found a piece of advice that I got from this forum has made a big difference in an unexpected way. When I first started posting here, I submitted a question about avoiding tells. Someone suggested that I wear my sunglasses. I had never worn them because I felt foolish, but I tried it. I don't know if it has made much difference in terms of hiding tells, but it has definitely helped me to focus. It's like I'm playing in my own world, and helps me to separate more. I'm beginng to find that the sunglasses allow me to intimidate more, as well. I am actually quite surprised at the effect they have had on my game. -Moz "There is no spoon." | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 11:00 | ||
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| Good ideas, noise and Moz. Yeah, I find that reading little gems of wisdom from "Zen and the Art of Poker" can get me off to a good start. I should really keep that in my purse every time I hit the cardroom, 'cept some other book is usually taking up the space in preparation for those occasional 2-3 hour waits :O) Sometimes, though, not even Larry Phillips can help me achieve and maintain that detachment. And during these times, I just shouldn't be playing. Unfortunately, one of my biggest poker flaws is NOT tearing myself away from the game when I'm just not in the right mindset for it. It sucks to drive 45 minutes, then wait another hour and a half, and then not be "feeling it" and have to leave, but it's better than continuing to sit there and lose money. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"...prep ideas, and long waits, Poker Crone, 3. Jun 2003 22:23 | ||
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| Curious why you don't play on line? Those long drives and waits really tire me out and i start out on the wrong foot. I try to go when I won't have to wait. A dealer gave me invaluable advice. He goes for 10 mile bike ride before he goes to work. i now ride my bike, swim hard, or walk up a steep hill before i go, and when I'm there i take breaks to go outside and (literally) jog around a little bit and deep breathe. I meditate every day, and either think about or re-read some of the Zen of Poker. I study a book or my Texas Turbo software. AND I don't let myself play if I'm tired, angry, anxious, or if i've eaten sugar, or chocolate (the theobromine gives me a subtly and dangerous inflated sense of well being and I play too loose, am too optimistic.) JUST as important, I never let myself play anymore if i'm "in the mood for some fun/relaxation/sport." This is a job. It can be an enjoyable job, and sometimes I'll even be in the zone, but I do NOT play poker recreationally any more. If I feel a strong drive to go play, I am very suspicious and wary of my mood, and usually won't go until i feel calm and settled. That might be later in the week. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"...prep ideas, and long waits, Wren, 4. Jun 2003 09:04 | ||
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| I used to - I actually made quite a bit of money playing online last year. And yup, there are a lot of benefits to it over playing at a B&M casino. But then when I started playing at Brantford, I realized how much I missed being able to actually see & interact with my opponents - playing online just isn't quite the same. I still play online for UltimatePoints, but I no longer have any money in any accounts. I'll probably slap some more in once I get a job :O) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"...prep ideas, and long waits, TKarrde, 4. Jun 2003 09:34 | ||
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| on 4. Jun 2003 09:04 Wren wrote: > > I still play online for UltimatePoints, but I no longer have any money in any accounts. I'll probably > slap some more in once I get a job :O) You got enough points for that Harley yet? :) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., shorn, 4. Jun 2003 04:18 | ||
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| I have "get ready" music as well. I listen to Metallica's Black album on my last 40 minutes to the casino (its a two hour drive...yuck). | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., gary ford, 4. Jun 2003 06:55 | ||
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| on 4. Jun 2003 04:18 shorn wrote: > I have "get ready" music as well. I listen to Metallica's Black album on my last 40 minutes to > the casino (its a two hour drive...yuck). 15 years ago i played "We are the Champions" at full volume, driving down the Strip on my way to a lowball tournament at the Riviera. P.S. I did not win--there are no magic mushrooms youve still got to play | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., shorn, 4. Jun 2003 07:39 | ||
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| Absolutely. But, whatever you can do to put you in a good and focused frame of mine, the better you will play. Metallica seems to do that for me... | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 4. Jun 2003 11:31 | ||
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| That's nothing. If you really want to psych up for poker you should listen to the Super Mario remix of NiN's Closer :) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., chasepoker, 4. Jun 2003 08:39 | ||
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| Mental preperation is key to any competitive game. I used to play a lot of football ( soccer for the Shermans ) and about half an hour before i would play i would visualise all situations that i might come across in the game ie success, failure, bad luck, joy etc... The reason i did this was not just to get my mind attuned to success ( though the main focus of my thoughts were always success ) but also to prepare it to bad situations that you didnt want to happen, but were inevitabley going to happen at some stage. The failure to be ready for bad luck and difficult situations is probably where a lot of players fall down. The result of me doing this was that i was able to to never let my emotions get on top of me a cause me to play badly i never once got sent off or argued with referee's all because i had visualised the cause and effects to negative situations and was able to cope with them. Just as a mental execrise think for 2 mins about playing poker in your favourite poker playing place, think of the people playing with you and all the sounds that go along with that. Now imagine you get a bad beat, some cowboy calls you all the way hits runner runner and scoops a big one off you ( should not be too hard ), imagine you feelings of anger swelling in your stomach you say "nice hand / ouch got me ( seething )/ any other expetive ". Now whilst this person is still counting their chips you get the next hand dealt to you, it is garbage, and the guy who just beat you bets, this is where you want to re-raise play back that garbage but you realise that is playing badly. It is at this point you have mentaly detatched yourself from the process and you fold calmly. If you can think back on this mental execrise when it next happens to you, you will know what to do as you have praticed it over and over again in your head. Do the same execrise but envisage you making a huge bluff in No Limit and scooping a big pot, or being heads up at the end of a tournament how do you feel? if you analyse these situations now you can act in a detatched manner when they happen in real life. Sorry for the ramble but i am quite into pyschology and it is hard for me to write about it but easy for me to talk about Chase " tell me about your mother "poker | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 4. Jun 2003 11:33 | ||
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| Yup...I played a little goalie and I would always spend time before a game visualizing myself taclking opponents rushing in and making fearless amazing moves - then when time came to put my body in jeopardy I would do it because I would have all this positive feedback in my mind about how good it would look and how cool I would be - helps when you are faced with the choice between landing on your face and letting a goal in. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Roy Cooke, 2. Jun 2003 10:00 | ||
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| Hi I think there are several ways to do this...One bankroll yourself so the impact the game you are playing in has no effect on your life on a month by month basis..Secondly, detach yourself emotionally from how you are doing. I believe any human has the ability to "self-program" themselves to do this. One thing I do is play by the month . I keep a bag of chips and do not cash them out until the end of the month. It takes away some of the focus of how I am doing in the short run. I also do a lot of self-talk at the table to keep myself relaxed. If I am not relaxed I don't play or get up and take a break...If you do find yourself losing it...Quit. The sun will come up tomorrow! Roy Cooke on 2. Jun 2003 07:58 Wren wrote: > This weekend, after my first 9 or 10 straight hours of playing, I entered "the > zone", and it was wonderful. I was stuck about 2-3 bills at this point, after > enduring a few nasty beats and some looooong very dry stretches (during which I > felt like I was "not really at the table", because I simply wasn't going to win > any hands - ever get that feeling?) But then, all of a sudden, I decided that I > didn't care about my net result for that session, my bottom line, etc. I decided > I was just going to play really really well, and not let any emotions get in the > way. And that's what I did. I was a Zen Master. I got rivered and I Didn't Care. > I had no temptation to play bad hands out of position. My reads were very clear. > I value bet/raised marginal holdings. (For eg, I 3-bet an aggressive > check-raiser holding just small trips on the river with impunity.) I was very, > very confident, yet emotionally detached. I slowly worked my stack up back to > even, without a huge number of great starting hands or wonderful flops. > > If I could always play in "the zone", I would definitely quit any attempt at > finding a real job and just play poker professionally. The problem is that I > just don't think I can do this. Too often, I'm sitting there, feeling emotional > and worried about people drawing out on me yet again, feeling like a tell > factory (whether this is warranted or not), constantly aware of how much I'm up > or down by, etc. etc. and all of these factors get in the way of me playing > excellent poker. My bottom line is where it "should" be for a winning player: > ~1.2 BB/hr. However, I know I can beat the game for more than this; if I could > play constantly "in the zone", I am confident that I'd be making more in the > ballpark of 1.7 or 1.8 BB/hr, and that's a huge difference. > > Can anyone out there honestly say that they are always "in the zone" when they > are at the table? In particular, Andrew, 4 POKER, any other pros out there - if > you don't feel like the Zen Master when you sit down, do you simply refrain from > playing? Is there anything in particular you do before, or during, a session to > obtain or maintain this state of cool, relaxed, detached calm and confidence? > For me, this state is the exception, not the rule, and I would very much like to > reverse this. > > Thanks for any thoughts/comments :O) | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 2. Jun 2003 11:08 | ||
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| Thanks for the advice, Roy. I currently don't have an adequate bankroll, and this fact probably affects my play negatively from time to time (for example, when I've gotten really close to the wire, I've found myself tightening up too much). One question - you actually take your poker chips home from the casino, and then bring them back on your next session? I've never heard of anyone doing this. Is this quite an unusual practise? | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., gary ford, 2. Jun 2003 15:42 | ||
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| Lack of an adequate bankroll is deadly-- it promotes the fear of losing and erodes your mental focus on the game. The difference between a winning session and a losing one is often a very thin line. Lack of 'focus" ( theres that word again) is better said by paraphrasing that line from Cool Hand Luke--what we have here is a failure to concentrate. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., stdioh, 2. Jun 2003 11:56 | ||
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| When you move up to 10-20 you'll find it a lot easier to be in the zone. You have less chasers against odds and thus the terrible beats come less frequently. It makes it harder to win money, but it is certainly better for your mental health. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Andrew Wells, 2. Jun 2003 18:16 | ||
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| To be in the zone, I must have complete control over the table. Patiently folding trash for several hours doesn't accomplish it. So we have some difference in definition. For me, three things have to be happening simultaneously. I have to be getting at least an average number of playable hands. My reads have become more accurate than ordinary. My semibluffs are working one way or the other for an extended period of time. When this happens the whole table is reacting to what I do, instead of me waiting for situations to make plays. This is not the same as being on a rush, although that can occur when in the zone as well. It's kind of like smut, hard to define - but you know it when it's there. You just sometimes get to the point where you own the table, without having to think about whether it is true. | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., M. G. Blakeslee, 2. Jun 2003 21:51 | ||
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| This msg and some of the following are just terrific descriptions of finding or not of the key to winning play: being in the "Zone." But what is the Zone? Gary writes about "concentration;" cool, detached, machine-like really, but a computer who is able to read tells, understand the emotions in others, etc. Andrew, however, writes of "control" when he writes of the Zone. Is the coolly concentrating computer in control of the table while he collects his percentage of the hourly action? Or does control suggest the player who is the focus of attention, a dominate presence, etc.? | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., gary ford, 3. Jun 2003 07:06 | ||
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| on 2. Jun 2003 21:51 M. G. Blakeslee wrote: > This msg and some of the following are just terrific descriptions of finding or not > of the key to winning play: being in the "Zone." > > But what is the Zone? Gary writes about "concentration;" cool, detached, > machine-like really, but a computer who is able to read tells, understand the > emotions in others, etc. > > Andrew, however, writes of "control" when he writes of the Zone. Is the coolly > concentrating computer in control of the table while he collects his percentage of > the hourly action? Or does control suggest the player who is the focus of attention, > a dominate presence, etc.? > To me, "control" has 2 facets--the first is control over your own emotions--eliminating distractions like pretty girls and games on the TV monitors. ( or pretty boys in Wren's case) and ignoring bad beats. The second is table image-- when the table is focusng on you and adjusting to what they think you are doing, you have a huge advantage ( think Gus Hansen ) > > | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., 4 POKER, 5. Jun 2003 03:57 | ||
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| Wren, What a great and interesting post, really. I'd love to be able to tell you that I am always 100% in the zone but I can not. What I do commit myself to is this: I refuse to sit in a game if I am not feeling my best or am just a little too tired to maintain my focus.(I've tried the other route and it doesn't work). I also chose to play poker with very little conversation- that may sound boring to some, but for me, I find that I can concentrate so much easier and every little nuance of the game and the players are clearer to me. I also don't allow my friends to sit behind me and "sweat" my cards with me, that drives me crazy and really distracts me from my game. I believe that eating foods that are smart foods like fruit and veggies and to try and drink nothing but water, really affect your mind and help it to stay clear. Because I do not have the endurance or the desire to put in a whole bunch of hours at one time, if I were to consume a heavy meal I would be limiting myself even more..They are important tools for me and this will allow me to stay in "The Zone". I also feel that no matter how much endurance you think you may possess, your brain simply can not function properly after a certain amount of hours. For some the ability to put in more hours than others may apply to a degree, but there is no way a person can play a marathon and tell me that he/she is just as sharp and/or focused as they were when they first sat down. To be able to play emotionless poker is key(and it sounds to me that you were able to accomplish that in your session) and it is a great weapon to have if you want to be in that "Zone" at all times. But because we are all humans, other outside factors sometimes present themselves. What I try and do to stay focused and in the zone is just say to myself, "Hey, just play your game,you will win, maybe not this session but so what, poker is your career and it pays the bills, period". If you can truly understand and realize, Wren, that when or if a player puts a nasty beat on you, that this is WHY you are playing poker in the first place(because you ARE better and smarter than your opponents, than you need not worry about anything else. You really hung in there and by feeling that you were not even part of the game and then you continued to make the most of it by value betting and by not being tempted to enter a pot with an inferior holding(just because you may have been getting bored), proves to me, and it should to you as well, that you have a tremendous amount of discipline(Ah, my favorite word). Keep a mental note at all times on just exactly how great you felt when you played a "perfect session of poker"...well done. 4 POKER | ||
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| Re: In "the zone"..., Wren, 5. Jun 2003 12:24 | ||
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| Thanks for the thoughts 4 POKER. I always look forward to reading your posts. Yes, I always take time after a poker session to reflect back on many things; how I played in general, how I felt in general, whether they were "in line" with one another, how I played certain key hands, etc. etc. I record some of the more general thoughts about each session in the spreadsheet I keep to track my poker info. Back in late April, I played 3 sessions in a row during which I definitely wasn't playing my best poker; I was bored, playing too loose, and not very focused. I was also very low on $$. I decided at this point that it was a good idea to take a break for awhile. I stayed away for a month, and when I started going back, I was playing better than ever! | ||
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