My degenerate tendancies....anyone have similar?

[noir]

As stated, you're already on your way.

You've identified a poker venial sin, and now you've confessed it. You can take comfort in the fact that you're not alone in committing this act.

Now I think you need to examine what the offense is, as you already have admitted its consequences.

In these situations, you decide to act against reason. Why? I'd say it stems from the human desire to be disobedient.

I really don't think that this spot is akin to degenerate gambling - though, like most of us, I'm sure you're guilty of that too.

The "feed my own curiosity" statement is closer to the mark, in my opinion. In fact, I'd say that's just way to justify acting in opposition to reason.

Well, what to do then? We can't exactly avoid these situations, can we? I'd like to think that as we grow as players, these situations will appear less frequently because our study and experience lead to in-game analysis that is more precise.

Even then, though, if we struggle with this issue some shadow of it likely still will be there; so for then and now:

Prepare yourself in advance for "the feeling." Believe me, I know what you're talking about. It's like time slows down a little and the room gets smaller. Then, you say to yourself, "I know this is wrong, but I'm going to do it anyway." And then you do.

By looking back at the times I've had "the feeling" (and how bad I feel afterwards), I've been able to recognize it as it creeps up on me. "Wait," I tell myself. "What's going on?" I realize that I'm in a bad spot and force myself to reevaluate the entire situation.

Then, I just go back to basics. And usually when I go through the action, consider my opponent, his range, his opinion of me, etc ... I fold.