Emotional Control

[Chipless Wonder]

What ideas or tricks do some of you use to help keep your emotions in check when you make a mistake or play a hand poorly?

I need LOTS of help in this area!

[CW Buckeye]

This may sound stupid, but I pick out something that lets me feel as though I learned something from my mistake.

If I feel as though I gained something from it, I'll be better able to move on instead of sitting there thinking about it and ending up on tilt.

Even if it is as simple as, "I didn't think it through enough, next time, give it more thought." Most of the time there are things that I actually did learn from it and I just concentrate on that and accept it as a learning experience.

[TurboGP]

Serenity prayer.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

The prayer goes on but this is the first part. Easy to remember

Also, slowly count to ten to calm your thoughts. Then let the negative thoughts leave your mind.

I have to use these almost daily with customers and the goofy things they pull on me.

[Roman Rup]

I like to slur stupid stuff, that usually keeps my mind off bad plays or mistakes, cause after the hand scott is usually laughing at me.

[Chipless Wonder]

I like to slur stupid stuff, that usually keeps my mind off bad plays or mistakes, cause after the hand scott is usually laughing at me

Classic.

[DerekDGTP]

Honestly, at this point in my playing career, I really don't care that much about losing. Yes, it sucks, but oh well. I'm a very laid back player and don't let a bad OR good play affect me that much.

[ohpokergal]

i was thinking about this, Scott. It's much easier to step away for a couple of minutes in an online game. Just click, sit out next hand and make a quick run to the kitchen or bathroom. Things always seem better when you sit back down.

I know you worry that if you do that you'll miss those pocket Aces you've been waiting for, but I think it's worth it. Sometimes I'll even wait another 5 or 10 minutes before I look at the hand history to see if I missed something great.

RARELY do I see something that makes me regret my private "break", and I rationalize by telling myself, that had I actually Played the hand I missed... I'd have gone all in and gone home. Which is probably what might have happened!!

It's a bit more difficult in a live game (particularly a small home game), but I even did it once in the WSOP event. Took my break 10 minutes before the actual one.... to catch my breath!

[VTX rider]

Well Considering how bad I play all the time, It just doesn't bother me much. I gamble way too much when I play. My biggest problem is boredom when I am not involved in a hand.

[Super_GTP]

Originally Posted by VTX rider

Well Considering how bad I play all the time, It just doesn't bother me much. I gamble way too much when I play. My biggest problem is boredom when I am not involved in a hand.

I have a problem with the boredom too. If I'm not getting good cards or the ones I get turn out to be a bust I loose interest. If it goes on too long, I just play any hand and hope I win. Winning any hand get's my interest back.

[VTX rider]

Chris,

I actually found I play much better when I have my Ipod playing.