When all-in, any tips for mentally adjusting to the drama of it?

derosnec · #1 09-13-2007, 01:52 PM

When I'm all in on preflop or on the flop, and the cards are flipped over, despite my knowledge of % of winning/losing, I notice that my body tenses up, heart rate increases, and the usual profanities fly when the cards don't hold up.

It's a little odd since, for example, I know I'm supposed to lose, say, 25% with a certain hand. Yet "75% favorite" sounds big. So I started telling myself I lose 1 out of 4 times, to make it so that I'm not "mentally pocketing" the money (a term used in a 2+2 magazine article).

When i watch a CR video for example, the player is cool as can be when all in. I want to be him. I want to stop my blood pressure from increasing on the all-ins.

Does anyone have any tips?

e_phemeral · #2 09-13-2007, 02:47 PM

Close eyes until hand is over, then check your stack size to see if you won. Seriously. Once the money goes in, what's the point? I too get all tense and freaked after the money goes in. If I see that I'm ahead, I am convinced I will lose somehow. Lately I just close my eyes. Of course I'm talking about online play. If you're playing live you have to watch.

Super Tool · #3 09-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Always think positive!

BarryLyndon · #4 09-13-2007, 03:51 PM

Just expect the worst and, furthermore, accept that you are playing a game of chance.

Barry

ayurice · #5 09-13-2007, 07:32 PM

I love the feeling. That's what we play for!

Vetgirig · #6 09-14-2007, 05:21 AM

Just call out for the cards you want to come. Root for them to come and they will come.

Wardfish · #7 09-14-2007, 05:44 AM

You could try Mike Caro's tip: root for the other guy. If he wins you are pleased because your guy won. If he loses, you get the consolation prize: the pot.

Personally, this doesnt work for me.

Im just happy to see that I was ahead when the money went in. Thats the end of the hand as far as I'm concerned. I couldnt care less what happens after that.

ra]\\[dom · #8 09-14-2007, 05:53 PM

Like Wardfish said, as long as you get the money in good, that's all you can do. Nothing wrong with getting excited when cards are coming, but after hand is over, make notes if needed and focus on the next hand/table. The rest is just getting used to it.

RustyDagger · #9 09-14-2007, 06:11 PM

I just tried the "look away" and "check your stack later" trick after I weirdly tilted and went all-in with A7o. I felt like " oh god why did I do THAT - oh [censored] what if I get callled...."

I looked back when the next hand popped up - just to see that I had miraculously tripled up. I'd had an A77 flop against KK and QQ. I wish I had seen that when it happened... [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Rek · #10 09-15-2007, 05:24 AM

“Que Sera Sera, whatever will be will be, the future’s not ours to see, Que Sera Sera”

You have made your decision, your chips are in, it is now down to the poker gods. Unless you have got the unbeatable nuts you will win some and lose some regardless.

Just sit back and take whatever comes like a man. Don’t squeal like a baby and chuck your toy’s out the pram. When the donk hits his runner runner to beat you, say “nice hand” and move on. You know you’ll beat him in the end if you’re better.