Summer job: online poker and putting in the hands.

jkkkk · #1 06-02-2006, 01:34 PM

Ok this is a question for those who have experience with poker as a primary source of income. I'm interested in which of the prevalent philosophys used is most popular.

Philosophy A: Objectivity

Put in at least X amount of hands for the day and then quit unless special circumstances warrant additional or less time. This philosophy is also true of you if you decide on X amount of hours for each day of play.

Philosophy B: Feel

Play when I feel like it, put in the hands when I think I am ready to start a session and finish whenever I feel like I've had enough, I don't care if I play 200 hands one day and then 3500 the next, my feelings will be the deciding factor on if and for how long I play a session on any given day.

I'm curious to see which of these two philosophys players feel are best for putting in more hands each month, obviously there are advantages and disadvantages to both philosophies.

Gorby · #2 06-02-2006, 02:33 PM

I feel that unless you have to, you should never force yourself to play.

Bullet_Dodger · #3 06-02-2006, 02:54 PM

B, and it should be for everyone. Choosing A will make you not nearly as successfull.

Fight Club · #4 06-02-2006, 03:20 PM

B. I play when I feel there is the least possible chance of going on tilt and I will only stop a session when I'm not playing optimally anymore or the tables are bad.

godofgamblers · #5 06-02-2006, 03:54 PM

I think a combo of A and B or best. When you're in a bad run, you'll never feel like playing. Or when your friends want to go out, you'll never feel like playing. I think a very low objective, followed then by feel is best.

I.e. something on the really low side like 250-500 hands a day, then more if you want to. I find no matter how bad I feel, I can usually play for half an hour to an hour without affecting my play much.

Hoopster81 · #6 06-02-2006, 04:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
B, and it should be for everyone. Choosing A will make you not nearly as happy .

[/ QUOTE ]

Python49 · #7 06-03-2006, 12:43 AM

umm... combination of both? whenever I feel like logging 3 hours I do so.

alwaysburied · #8 06-03-2006, 03:40 AM

It HAS to be a combination. Anyone who have ever played for a living know, there are times you just don't want to play. But, there are times you HAVE to. That's why it takes a special person to be a professional. Come to me in 4 years and tell me it works to just play when you "feel" like it.
-md
www.myspace.com/iambabyd

dustyn · #9 06-03-2006, 09:36 AM

I think B, but give yourself monthly targets of hands (i.e. you want to play 30k hands this month, or 40k, or whatever). So I guess my answer is both, but I just play whenever I have nothing else going on.

oyvindgee · #10 06-03-2006, 11:30 AM

You should definitely have an objevtive, but it doesn't have to be on a daily basis. If I'm sick, want to go out or just take a few days off, I do so. I know I'll have to log more hours later in the month to do so, but I prefer it that way. It important to balance between logging enough hour and having as large a portion of them as possible in the best mind set.