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Server Time: 9/4/2008 10:33:57 PM PACIFIC |
 motivation, tron, 11. Jun 2003 15:32 | ||
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| I was just thinking how would someone motivate themselfs day in day out in playing top level poker. A s with anything things get to be the same day in day out routine. How does one maintain the focus, motivation, and mental state to play for months, years at a time? tks | ||
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| Re: motivation, 4 POKER, 11. Jun 2003 15:52 | ||
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| For me...it's a job and I treat it as such. The focus is always there when I play, however, the motivation may not be. I don't need to put in a full work week because my win rate is fairly high giving me a little bit more free time if I need it. I enjoy poker very much but like anything else it does get boring after awhile-so what I do to keep myself motivated is, throughtout the year I travel to all the poker rooms across the country which allows me to play with totally different people, making it more interesting and it also allows me to play in games that my cardroom may not offer on a regular basis. For example; I love playing Omaha but my cardroom does not spread that game often enough, but when I come out to vegas, the game is played every single day and at the limit that I prefer as well. Also, when you travel during the tournament time of one's poker room, even if you don't play in them the side action is always plentiful. When I do sit down to play, I am extremely focused and ready to play. I will put in my hours as if it was a regular job but what gives me a little bit more freedom is, I don't have to put in a solid 8 hours if I'm not up to it that day. And when I feel that I just want to stop playing (for whatever reason), then I do just that. They'll always be a game tomorrow and that's how I look at it anyway. I also think that taking breaks, having another hobby and vacations are important, too, so when I do return to "work"...I'm ready and eager to play. 4 POKER | ||
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| Re: motivation, tron, 11. Jun 2003 16:44 | ||
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| thanks 4poker, always insightful and meaningful | ||
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| Re: motivation, Big_Slick, 11. Jun 2003 21:50 | ||
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| I'm not an experienced poker player and have only been playing a very short time. However, with the help of the family here at UPF, I've learned a great deal. Books are a great source of knowledge, but they don't talk back to you when you have questions. This is why I think UPF is so special. Although I'm nowhere near the player 4-P is, I'll still bore you with my motivations. - I want to prove to myself that I can become a winning poker player. I have challenged myself to turn a $500 starting bankroll into something much larger. - I want to prove to everyone who thinks I'm a compulsive, troubled gambler that I am a controlled, educated poker player. (Truth be known, no one even knows that I'm playing for real money on-line. This is by design so that I wouldn't have to put up with the unwanted comments and dirty looks. My hope is that over the next several months I can build up my bankroll, show this success to my wife and hope that this convinces her that poker is in fact a game of skill and not luck.) - I like money. That in itself is plenty motivation for me. - I hate to fail at anything I do. - I love learning about the game. It seems that everyday, a new concept finally sinks into my thick head and a light bulb goes off. It's even better when I use this knowledge in a poker game. - There is something very appealing to me about teaching yourself a trade. There is something appealing to me that given time, patience and motivation, poker will reward you with the ability to make money. Now, I realize that this is not easy. Obviously, everyone who plays poker can not be a winning player. It is a select group of people who can say that over the course of a year, they have made money playing poker. An even smaller group can say that they make all of their money via poker. 3 years ago, I was intrigued with the world wide web. I made up my mind that I was going to teach myself how to design, create, develop web sites. 3 years later, I run my own design company that does quite well (especially given the state of technology). Everyone thought I was crazy wanting to learn web development. My mother-in-law told me to go back to school because without an education, I wouldn't find work (I do have a degree, but it's in music... a very helpful degree. What was I thinking??) Well, I proved them all wrong then and I'm looking to do it again. Because of people like 4-P, I'm learning Omaha. I thought his concept of learning more than one game made a lot of sense. I am a pretty solid stud player already but am looking forward to learning how to punish people in Omaha. One big advantage I see to learning other games is being able to mix things up when you're feeling a little burned out in one game. Been playing hold 'em for 5 days and developing the 1,000 yard stare? Let's move over to 7-card stud to change the scenery a little. Anyways, I hope this inspires you a little bit. Keep chugging away at your game. "Deserves got nothing to do with it" | ||
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| Re: motivation, 4 POKER, 12. Jun 2003 04:27 | ||
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| Slick, You stated that you were no where near the player that I was? Thanks for the compliment but it is one that is not fair to state,or needed for that matter. Do you think that I myself did not have questions and doubts when I first started? Heck, I still do, but that is what makes us stronger players because as soon as you think that you don't have anything more to learn is when you actually will stop learning and improving all-together. I think that everyones input on this forum is extremely informative and helpful and I wish I had a place like the UPF to turn to when I was first learning the game. You must keep in mind that I have been playing poker professionally for quite a long time now and so even though I may be more experienced than some, I do believe that based on the fact that you guys are not professional players and some of you are just beginning, your posts on poker whether they be based on theory, mathematics, or hand play analysis, are right on the money if you ask me. I also believe that what all you guys/gals have to say are FAR more interesting than anything you could get from a book, I really do. Thank you Slick and keep up the good posts. 4 POKER | ||
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| Re: motivation, Keyser Soze, 12. Jun 2003 07:41 | ||
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| "It seems that everyday, a new concept finally sinks into my thick head and a light bulb goes off" I can identify with that. Between reading here, reading books, playing simulators, and live play there are so many light bulbs going off I can hardly sleep at night :) | ||
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| Re: motivation, Buckeye Mike, 12. Jun 2003 11:22 | ||
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| I can relate to almost all of what your saying. I am just starting to learn the game myself. I've played cards my whole life but now am trying to learn how to really play. I just started playing onlineand I have been down to the casino to play a few times. I've gotten a few books and the Wilson software. It is a long process to become a good player. With all of the books to read their is a lot of information to absorb. I have never been strong in the patience department but I know I'll need to have a strong supply to become a good player. I think I am getting better but I still have a long way to go. I also have been keeping my playing a secret from most people I know as well. Most people would think it's just another form of gambling and not a skill game. But I do have the motivation to get better and to win. Playing is something I really enjoy and I want to be able to play well. Good Luck to you Big Slick also to everyone else. | ||
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| Re: motivation, stdioh, 12. Jun 2003 08:30 | ||
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| I think it is like any other job. It can become a grind and you can grow to hate it, but just because you don't like your job doesn't mean that you aren't going to work well. Same thing with poker - those who are good and are pro players are playing for rent money and their livelihoods - they aren't going to take it less than seriously. | ||
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