Maintaining My Focus

[DeadMoneySimm]

Hey All,

I need some POV's on this subject. I consider myself a solid player known to have nights where I can turn $200 into $1200 @ a 1/2 NL table, $40 into $250 at a $.5/$1 NL home game or lose $1000 in an AC casino. I've had some great stretches, but often I lose focus and give up my profit, or worse, lose my bankroll.

How can I maintain the focus I need to be successful and build my roll? I'm not talking about for hours and hours, just a over the couple of hours that I get to play at home online.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

I ran into this a few years back... i FORCE myself to only play 3-4 hour sessions (Max).

If I go to one of the local Indian Casinos... I'll get a room and take a 3-4 hour breather, hit the pool or the gym, and go back to it. The $79 a night [or just for the day] I spend on the hotel room is worth it.

I used to do the same thing where I run up a bunch of cash early, just to lose focus and bleed it back... now I hit and run alot more often.

[Bicycles_Biatch]

Also, I know this sounds SUPER-gay, but if I do get into a marathon session (usually a tournament), I go out side and do a few push-ups or jumping jacks... it gets the blood flowing and helps me mentally "wake-up"

[iponnet]

I try to take a break every hour of multitabling online, (sometimes for a few hours if I am running bad or steaming) and every 2-3 hours of live play

[Alfil]

I've been trying to work on this issue as well. I have an awful time at B&M when it comes to focus and concentration. A few of the steps I have taken which have been helpful are: only going during the times of the day I am the most alert, eating something that is ridiculously healthy but fairly light before going and bringing something to snack on during play, taking a break every hour and getting some natural light and air because card rooms disorientate me, and increasing my mental check list of things to go over before each hand. If I overlook something obvious like a new player joining the table or someone moving seats or leaving than I am probably not paying attention to the subtleties and nuances of the table dynamics and off my game.

[oober]

30 cups of coffee, 2 packs of smokes, Profit.

[rookie101]

I just went through the same thing about a year ago the way I keep focused is putting my opponents on hands when im both in and not in a pot. It may sound dumb but its more like a side game and ive gotten much much better at reading my opponents hands.

[Nytecaster]

I think you said it yourself. If you are losing focus, you should leave the table and go do something else for awhile. That should help your bankroll tremendously if you can do it.

[iveyleague24]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, I know this sounds [censored]-UBER-UNMITIGATEDLY-WITHOUTBOUNDARIES-PREVIOUSLYUNKNOWNTOMANKIND-SUPER-F-ing-WTFLOLROFLMAOBBQHAX!!!!!1111eleveneleven!!!eleven-gay, but if I do get into a marathon session (usually a tournament), I go out side and do a few push-ups or jumping jacks... it gets the blood flowing and helps me mentally "wake-up"

[/ QUOTE ]