Re: I panic when playing live!
 

You might need some prescription medicine, prescribed from a doctor. Have you ever had anything presribed to you for your social anxiety? Xanax?
Sounds like you're having panic attacks.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

Do you have a friend who plays poker ( a live and online regular for example ) as well?
Why don't you go with him. I think that having a friend when playing live is very helpful for you. It kills time and you you won't feel as a total stranger at the table.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

Dress and act like a less expensive version of Chris Furguson (big hat, dark glasses, and don't talk). He developed all that stuff originally to avoid giving off tells in live games. If people ask for a chip count, just move your hands and let the dealer count it. Make sure to stack it so it is easy to count, or you might have to move the stacks so the dealer can count it.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

[ QUOTE ]
-Wear an ipod
-Don't even bother to look at your opponents. Just tell the dealer your action
-Play stakes that are smaller than what you are used to until you get more comfortable

[/ QUOTE ]

This is good advice usually, but I don;t think it will help OP overcome his antisocial worries. If he want's to get to know how to interact with the table more without getting stressed out being the sterotypical iPod kid won't help.

One question for the OP (as I was in teh same boat) why not go with your mates? Even if they aren't poker fans give them £20 to sit down at the table with and give them a quick outline of the hands lol and you should be able to loosen up and have a laugh too then!

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

Beta Blockers. i use them in social situations...very very very helpful

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

Drink a few beers.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

Repetition: The more you do it the more comfortable you become with it. I was a wreck the first few times I played live in a room last year. You get over it. Even now when I take shots a limit I have never played before it is a lot easier.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Beta Blockers. i use them in social situations...very very very helpful

[/ QUOTE ]

Seriously??

TBH I didn't even know what they were, so I googled them. Some sort of medicine that blocks adrenaline receptors? Crazy.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

I am a semi pro trumpet player, and fighting panic in front of a big audience, breathe control and concentration is a big issue for a trumpet player.

You have to "learn" how to deal with such situations. But you can only learn, when you feel positive. So if you sit down and play and you are stressed, paniced etc... then you learn to be stressed and in panic and that is wrong.

So just go out to the casino and watch the game. Take a friend with you and sit and the bar, observe the other people. You shouldnt be uncomfortable. On your next visit, you can try to chat with some people - bartenders in general wont refuse to do some smalltalk with you. Feeling a little uncomfortable is ok, but when you start to panic, leave immediately. On later visits, you can try to sit down on the table. But poker is absolute secondary now. Just buy in for the minimum and dont try to focus on poker. Focus on you neighbours, perhaps there is a little social interaction at the table, try to participate. When you feel extremely uncomfortable, leave again. And stay when you feel that you gain confidence. Its a process and it will take some time.

And there exist breathe control exercises. A good one is to think of something positive, slowly inhale for 4 seconds, hold breathe for 4 seconds, breathe-out for 4 seconds and hold again for 4. Do this for a minute. Then breathe normally for a minute and do it again. If you can do it easily, you can extend the time to 6 seconds each. (I can do it with 10 seconds when i am fully relaxed) Now if you pracitice this twice a day for some weeks you will be able to recall it and doing it without thinking about how to breathe, so you can do it at the table and still watch the game. And panic is impossible when breathing this slow.

If you decide to follow my advice, let us know if it helped you. I gave same or similar advice to fellow musicians suffering stage fright, but never to a poker player...

And drugs are bad. Dont use medication for mental issues, never.

Re: I panic when playing live!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I am a semi pro trumpet player, and fighting panic in front of a big audience, breathe control and concentration is a big issue for a trumpet player.

You have to "learn" how to deal with such situations. But you can only learn, when you feel positive. So if you sit down and play and you are stressed, paniced etc... then you learn to be stressed and in panic and that is wrong.

So just go out to the casino and watch the game. Take a friend with you and sit and the bar, observe the other people. You shouldnt be uncomfortable. On your next visit, you can try to chat with some people - bartenders in general wont refuse to do some smalltalk with you. Feeling a little uncomfortable is ok, but when you start to panic, leave immediately. On later visits, you can try to sit down on the table. But poker is absolute secondary now. Just buy in for the minimum and dont try to focus on poker. Focus on you neighbours, perhaps there is a little social interaction at the table, try to participate. When you feel extremely uncomfortable, leave again. And stay when you feel that you gain confidence. Its a process and it will take some time.

And there exist breathe control exercises. A good one is to think of something positive, slowly inhale for 4 seconds, hold breathe for 4 seconds, breathe-out for 4 seconds and hold again for 4. Do this for a minute. Then breathe normally for a minute and do it again. If you can do it easily, you can extend the time to 6 seconds each. (I can do it with 10 seconds when i am fully relaxed) Now if you pracitice this twice a day for some weeks you will be able to recall it and doing it without thinking about how to breathe, so you can do it at the table and still watch the game. And panic is impossible when breathing this slow.

If you decide to follow my advice, let us know if it helped you. I gave same or similar advice to fellow musicians suffering stage fright, but never to a poker player...

And drugs are bad. Dont use medication for mental issues, never.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great post, one of the most helpful I've seen. You need to manage your panic attacks and it will be a slow process and I hope you get there. Don't mask the problem with drugs