LC: Post #5,000 - Ask me whatever

[Paul B.]

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playing professionally, I am sure you have days/stretches where you simply get real lazy. This is one of my biggest problems right now.

How do you force yourself to play when u are lazy? How do you keep your self fresh and ready to play?


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I learned the hard way that forcing yourself to play when you don't want to is going to end up a disaster. So don't do that. If I feel bored or lazy, I practice dancing or watch clips/movies. I also spend my weekends with friends and that helps a lot.


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How do you handle your downsings? play throught them? or take time off?


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When I hit a downswing:
(1) I move down in stakes where losses are less painful, and it's easier to beat weaker opponents, which helps regain confidence.
(2) I play less tables and table select better.
(3) I take time off. I've taken several weeks off before and every time I came back more focused than ever.
(4) I buy stuff. I'm pretty superstitious in that I keep things the same if they keep working, and if they stop working, I change things up. In my last three downswings, I've bought a Macbook Pro, an Aeron chair, and a 30" monitor. These all drastically improved my poker playing environment.

Also, sometimes I'll splurge to make myself feel better and I think it's okay. Like I'll get sushi or buy something expensive, and it'll give me a better perspective on things. I take a lot of satisfaction in knowing that I can afford stuff because of a game and I'll look at the things I've bought as like a measure of my success.


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What your daily routine like during a "work" day?


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Wake up.
Check AIM, email, 2+2, Digg, Youtube, Entensity, Craigslist, Fantasy Football, etc.
Make sure my datamining machine is still running.
Wash up.
Eat something.
Sometimes watch a poker video.
Play.
Take a break. Check previous sites again. Make fun of DF_Newb and costanza_g on AIM.
Play.
Take a break. Eat. Right now I'm looking for a car so if there's a car I like, I go and check it out.
Play.
Repeat playing and taking a break until it's time to sleep.
Wash up.
Make sure datamining machine is still running.
Sleep.