How to avoid falling asleep !?

[Battle_Boi]

Hey everyone,

I play only one table at pacific 1/2$ atm. I do that cause I want to learn to play decent poker & cause I want to learn how to read other players.

That Said, here's my problem: I usualy play about 5 hours nonstop on the weekend days, and after the 2nd hour or sometimes earlier, i find myself bored to death with the game: I dont pay attention to the other players, I chat in irc & icq with ppl etc.

My question, how do you guys keep yourself busy enough to not get bored with the game ? Other than playing 2 tables or more ?

[ughaulkghalugh]

music is a pretty good idea.

[bennyhana]

First, you should work on your reads. When I played at pacific, I would pay attention for a while, then yeah, it got real boring. I would read a book or something. Now, I either post here, or watch a movie, or read, or just try and play my best.

Working on poker skills should be first though.

[TommyChong]

Start playing 6max. It will keep you more involved in the game since you play so many more hands. And take a break. If you find your concentration lacking it is better to just get up than continue playing. You can't lose money when you aren't playing. Even I haven't pulled that one off.

[ughaulkghalugh]

Tommy,

I don't think shorthanded is the best recommendation for a new player.

[basco]

7 more tables, http://www.pandora.com, OOT, BBV, email, and digg.com.

I try to avoid chatting when playing 8 tables, there are (infrequently) stretches where I won't have time to type anything for 5+ minutes, which tends to annoy some people. Even moreso if it's on the phone.

[TommyChong]

[ QUOTE ]
Tommy,

I don't think shorthanded is the best recommendation for a new player.

[/ QUOTE ]

If he is playing 1/2 he likely has some experience under his belt (maybe not, just my guess.) I just started playing 6max last week and while this by no means makes me an expert I can say with confidence that the players are worse. They are far looser (obviously you need to be looser SH but not this loose) and I have seen a lot more hopeless bluffs. SH might not be for everybody but for someone who struggles with concentration (as my ADHD afflicted ass certainly does)it might be the ticket.

[graarrg]

I know you said "other than 2 tables or more," but you shouldn't discount the option.

pacific poker has nice games, but I think maybe you should give maybe paradise or some other popular site a try and multitable micros (maybe 3-table .25/.50). This way, you'll get in many more hands of experience with the same (or less risk) to your bankroll.

Usually, to stop myself from losing focus, I read/post in the 2+2 relevant to the game I am playing (one time I read a thread in 1-table tournaments and it convinced me to fold JJ in a hand 5 minutes later, which completely saved my ass.)

[Curtrosity]

Get pokertracker.

[Battle_Boi]

thx for the tipp.

Do you know any good books on shorthanded ? I want to be ready if i start playing it.