Wow - NO DESIRE to play poker..

[surfinillini]

I don't know what it is...I had a great year last year, I played every weekend and online on a regular basis.

Since 06 started, I've played twice, one losing session, one winning session.

I recently just hit a milestone as far as $$ in the bank goes and maybe I just don't feel like gambling.

I played earlier tonight for about 90 minutes and was bored out of my mind...I'm not running bad, took down a couple of pots but I don't know, it was just mind boggling how bored I was.

I used to love this game...what happened?

[12AX7]

You said it yourself. You hit a milestone, and now you're protecting you win.

Beyond that, since it sounds like you've been successful at the game, it no longer holds any facination. I has become what long time pros have always called it right? Grinding.

You are now at, "Been There, Done That, Got the T-shirt".

[surfinillini]

so what's the next step?

do I quit?

I no longer feel as you say "fascinated", I do not get the fight or flight (butterflies) response when getting dealt AA or flopping trips, it's simply another mundane activity, almost a rote task.

[Brainwalter]

Move up.

[Cowboy21]

[ QUOTE ]
Move up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. Why do you think Brunson and those guys play $4000/$8000 every day? Because the longer you play this game the more money you need at stake to keep you interest. Thats an extreme example of course, but maybe jump up a limit, maybe even two. I don't know what your range of games is, but if you're pretty much just a NLHE guy, give up HE for a while and take up stud, or Omaha, or become a Triple Draw expert over on UB!


JJ

[KinkyKid]

[ QUOTE ]
so what's the next step?

do I quit?

I no longer feel as you say "fascinated", I do not get the fight or flight (butterflies) response when getting dealt AA or flopping trips, it's simply another mundane activity, almost a rote task.

[/ QUOTE ]

You hit a milestone in the bank. Poker has become a mundane activity. You are not doing this for a living (at least, I didn't think so). Why do you feel compelled to keep playing? People suggest one of the other poker games, but why not look into other hobbies? You don't need to play poker. If you are providing for yourself with poker, then go look for jobs that you are interested in. You'll know which ones seem more fun than poker and which don't. If poker seems the best choice, then I agree with the rest. Start becoming better at Omaha 8/b or stud.

[surfinillini]

actually I took the advice of the OP and just got back from playing some Omaha hi/lo with a full kill for about 2 1/2 hours.

fun game...but I was the only person under 50 playing in it...still good times though, lots different than hold em...

for the op, it's not like I want to quit, I still enjoy learning about the game, reading about it,I'm nowhere near where I could be as far as skill, but recently just playing my regular NLHE or LHE game has been somewhat boring.

I think what it really boils down to is at this point in time, I don't find hold em particularly challenging as I once did (I've been playing mostly NLHE since 2003)

[nuts]

you need to give yourself a new challenge. Perhaps something physical, eg : 'I really want that car - i'm going to play enough to get it'.

That might help motivate you.

[TripleH68]

Sounds like you may be an achievement oriented person.

In the short term a break may be in order. It will straighten you out and freshen your perspective.

In the long term I have read a couple very good sports psychology books to help my golf game. Something like this may help you understand what makes you tick. If you are into self-examination and all.

Good luck.

[aba20]

Any titles worth picking up?

[cardsharkk04]

Do you not get butterflies when you're at a casino? Cuz sometimes online poker can seem pretty robotic, but when I'm playing in a live game its always pretty exciting for me. I say step stakes a little or play some MTTs. Its pretty damn exciting when you get down to the wire in one of those.

[TripleH68]

[ QUOTE ]
Any titles worth picking up?

[/ QUOTE ]

My favorite sports psychology book was called "sports psyching-playing your best game all of the time." It was written in the 70s by Thomas Tutko. Another tag line is "How to overcome the tensions, fears and frustrations that undermine your game."

I would guess there are likely many books out there, but this is the one I revisit every year. Of course let's not forget there is Dr. Al's book.

[onegymrat]

Hi Surf,
[ QUOTE ]
I used to love this game...what happened?

[/ QUOTE ]My brother started playing tennis as a teenager and fell in love with the game. He played every chance he got and lived, ate and slept tennis. And if he met someone who didn't enjoy tennis, he found it rather odd. Although he never aspired to become a professional player, he thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the game, playing, studying and the challenges. He did this for years. As time went on and other things in his life required his attention, he played less and less. Eventually, he didn't play at all. After a long while, as his time was freed, he had the opportunity to play again, but he chose not to. Tennis just didn't seem to be as exciting or interesting to him as it did before, especially since his life is now full of other interesting things. He doesn't give it much thought to whether he'll pick up the game or not, it's no big deal. He does know, however, if he did decide to play again, he'll be rusty for a while, but it'll all come back in spectacular fashion eventually.

Although this was not a very strong analogy, poker may be just another hobby to you as tennis was to my brother, and other hobbies are to other people. Since you don't HAVE to play for a living, why give it more thought than necessary? You took up poker initially because you loved the game and its challenges, not because of the money. The money was just a favorable byproduct of playing well. Play when you want to play. Don't worry about it.

Worst thing that can happen is forcing yourself to play without passion, and that will just COST you money. Good luck.

[Colonel Kataffy]

I know how it feels. And the funny thing is, everyone i've told that I play poker for a living--friends, familly, girlfriends, girlfriends's familly--they all think i'm addicted to it. They just don't understand.

[tminus]

i got bored playing STT because i wasnt learning anymore so i took a 7 month break all together. now im back to learn about ring games

mabe try another game structure?

[warlockjd]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know what it is...I had a great year last year, I played every weekend and online on a regular basis.

Since 06 started, I've played twice, one losing session, one winning session.

I recently just hit a milestone as far as $$ in the bank goes and maybe I just don't feel like gambling.

I played earlier tonight for about 90 minutes and was bored out of my mind...I'm not running bad, took down a couple of pots but I don't know, it was just mind boggling how bored I was.

I used to love this game...what happened?

[/ QUOTE ]

It got too easy and you don't particularly need the money. Welcome to winning poker

[surfinillini]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't know what it is...I had a great year last year, I played every weekend and online on a regular basis.

Since 06 started, I've played twice, one losing session, one winning session.

I recently just hit a milestone as far as $$ in the bank goes and maybe I just don't feel like gambling.

I played earlier tonight for about 90 minutes and was bored out of my mind...I'm not running bad, took down a couple of pots but I don't know, it was just mind boggling how bored I was.

I used to love this game...what happened?

[/ QUOTE ]

It got too easy and you don't particularly need the money. Welcome to winning poker

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say it got too easy, for live cash game sessions I had a win rate of about 66-70%, the money I won I just spent on stuff...I have a full time career/job so I see a nice paycheck every two weeks for my age (I'm 23)

The last week or so I've been getting back into it, I've been trying different styles of play. For example, I played 2/5NL on Friday night and tried to play very laggy, I was pushing with Flush draws+Overs, calling flops to set up a big move if the turn brought a scare card, bluffing the river...just different things.

I've also really gotten into O8.

Maybe I'll start to play some live tournaments...

[warlockjd]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't know what it is...I had a great year last year, I played every weekend and online on a regular basis.

Since 06 started, I've played twice, one losing session, one winning session.

I recently just hit a milestone as far as $$ in the bank goes and maybe I just don't feel like gambling.

I played earlier tonight for about 90 minutes and was bored out of my mind...I'm not running bad, took down a couple of pots but I don't know, it was just mind boggling how bored I was.

I used to love this game...what happened?

[/ QUOTE ]

It got too easy and you don't particularly need the money. Welcome to winning poker

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say it got too easy, for live cash game sessions I had a win rate of about 66-70%, the money I won I just spent on stuff...I have a full time career/job so I see a nice paycheck every two weeks for my age (I'm 23)

The last week or so I've been getting back into it, I've been trying different styles of play. For example, I played 2/5NL on Friday night and tried to play very laggy, I was pushing with Flush draws+Overs, calling flops to set up a big move if the turn brought a scare card, bluffing the river...just different things.

I've also really gotten into O8.

Maybe I'll start to play some live tournaments...

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome, glad I was wrong...looks like you just needed some variety, as other posters have said....Good luck with the adjustments!

[surfinillini]

thanks,

I think playing an ABC TAG game from ages 20 thru 23 really got old.

see example of me changing it up in a shorthanded game the other night

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=8#Post4711001 (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=4711001&an=0&page=8#Post 4711001)

[gilbert]

i felt like this for a while when i had made enough money to where i could live for a year and not worry about any expenses. i figured "[censored] it, i don't need to risk losing what i have now, i should just cash out my winnings and live off of them."

i didn't play for a week or so but i really started getting the bug to start playing again. i really love to play limit hold'em just about over any other game so it's not really hard for me to sit down and play and not get bored.

i think what made me want to play more than anything is not wanting to get a real job. if this isn't your situation, this might be the reason.

[raptor517]

[ QUOTE ]
pushing with Flush draws+Overs

[/ QUOTE ]

should be doin this anyway /images/graemlins/wink.gif but yea going from rock to bomb will def help you out from being bored. you will see more variance, but have a higher $/hr and probably have a lot more fun doing it. holla

[surfinillini]

[ QUOTE ]

i think what made me want to play more than anything is not wanting to get a real job. if this isn't your situation, this might be the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

well I have a fulltime job so not really coming from the same boat...the money I win I don't really need to survive but when you have XXX in savings, you pretty much want to leave it be.

[gilbert]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

i think what made me want to play more than anything is not wanting to get a real job. if this isn't your situation, this might be the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

well I have a fulltime job so not really coming from the same boat...the money I win I don't really need to survive but when you have XXX in savings, you pretty much want to leave it be.

[/ QUOTE ]

if i had a full time job where i had a steady income and then another chunk of money in my online account where i could either play poker with it and take the chance of losing it or buy a car or a tv or something with it i would probably be the same way.

also, whenever i sit down to play i know i have to play at least three or four hours and sort of grind it when i might not want to play. if i was in your situation i would only want to play live or one table when i felt like it.

[surfinillini]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

i think what made me want to play more than anything is not wanting to get a real job. if this isn't your situation, this might be the reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

well I have a fulltime job so not really coming from the same boat...the money I win I don't really need to survive but when you have XXX in savings, you pretty much want to leave it be.

[/ QUOTE ]

if i had a full time job where i had a steady income and then another chunk of money in my online account where i could either play poker with it and take the chance of losing it or buy a car or a tv or something with it i would probably be the same way.

also, whenever i sit down to play i know i have to play at least three or four hours and sort of grind it when i might not want to play. if i was in your situation i would only want to play live or one table when i felt like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

yea...I haven't played online in all of '06

I prefer B & M since it's easier to beat...but you're right...thinking if I drop 3 or 4 buy insd how much of my car principal it would cover definitely does change some things