Can you guys watch tv, hear music etc and win at poker?

[pshady]

I tried it so I don't get too bored but can't win as much. I feel it shouldn't matter much but I think it does affect me.

actually in longer tourneys it helps me better but shorter games no

[aaokwitme]

I dont pay too much att in the beging of any tourney. but after the 4th round Im waching and noteing every little thing, wheather im in the hand or not.
Cash games I just leave if I get board.

[JKratzer]

i listen to music but i don't find it distracting.

[Praxising]

I play Cuber during the early portion of online trnys - but cash games, no distractions. I mess up enough without it.

[SellingtheDrama]

Online I generally have music/tv on early in the tournament (its usually already on), suddenly an hour later I'll realize that I haven't looked that way in at least that long. At that point I'll put some sort of instrumental/jazz on.

Live I generally bring the ipod, just to help avoid being annoyed by the people who are whiny.

[PantsOnFire]

I don't think music has any effect on me. TV certainly does as does surfing the Internet.

I need good focus in cash games. However, early in a tourney or late when I'm in the push-bot mode, I don't need as much focus. It also depends on the stakes. When I decide to do a $3 rebuy MTT, I really don't think reads matter too much and given the stakes, I am really just playing for the fun of it.

I play so low stakes limit holdem once an awhile like 2.5/50. Here, I don't use reads as much and pretty well play a mechanical, mathematical game. I can do this with some distractions.

If I'm at a 1/2 or 2/4 NL cash game, it is a completely different story. Same for a $200 buyin MTT. In a big buyin MTT, I find the play a lot tighter and there is a mix of good and bad players. This needs more attention since stealing pots is much more prevalent than in a low buyin MTT where you really don't know what anybody is up to.

If I am multi-tabling, I need complete focus so music is the only outside input.

[SoonerJohn]

It is possible, but I do a lot better when I concentrate on the game exclusively.

Listening to music is much more forgiving than television. I can use it to help change my play style.

Television is just a pure distraction.

[Rainclouds]

I usually turn up the music to prevent myself being distracted by ambient noise.

[kimchi]

I can't win b/c poker + MSN + WMP + IE = computer crash

[Trivial]

[ QUOTE ]
i listen to music but i don't find it distracting.

[/ QUOTE ]