Distracted Poker

While many might laugh off the suggestion of gambling while inebriated, a significant number are essentially playing with a mind clouded by distractions that can be just as detrimental.

Today’s online poker environment presents countless distractions for players. You may find yourself sidetracked by chat messages at the table, phone calls, social media, streaming videos, text alerts, emails, or even other games. Unfortunately, this significant concern seems to be overlooked in current poker strategy content. poker strategy What’s most alarming is how many players remain unaware of the detrimental impact their distracted state can have on their poker performance.

Recent studies have brought attention to the detrimental effects of various distractions. distraction in our lives There's been notable research on how distraction affects safety, particularly while driving. For instance, the National Highway & Transportation Administration in the United States indicates that using a smartphone while driving makes a person 23% more likely to get into an accident—this is equivalent to the risk increase after consuming four beers. Distractions create danger in everyday life, and while there isn’t comprehensive research on poker, it stands to reason that distracted play could similarly lead to significant losses.

You might think that watching a poker tutorial can enhance your game. While distractions might seem minor, they can accumulate in ways similar to how many drivers fail to realize the dangers of distracted driving. If they had grasped the serious risks associated with it, they would likely put their phones out of reach. If you notice these signs during your play, it's clear that distractions are costing you in your poker game:

• Becoming disoriented in a hand and forgetting how you reached that point can happen
• Missing vital clues regarding your opponents
• Putting too much emphasis on trivial pieces of information
• Having to revisit previous hand histories mid-game to recall an opponent's earlier moves
• Feeling puzzled about the outcome of the last hand you played
• Misreading your hand
• Mistaking players between various tables
• Time running out at the table when you thought you had plenty to spare major decisions on previous tables

Just as you hopefully avoid driving while distracted (or will again), why jeopardize your financial stake or career in poker? In a realm where most players are easily distracted, those who prioritize honing their focus stand to gain a valuable advantage.

The secret to playing the mental game of poker Achieving profitable play largely hinges on concentration. Focus is key to assembling the information necessary for decision-making. However, when playing poker and also scrolling through social media, your mind becomes cluttered with unnecessary data. This mental clutter results in what researchers term 'attentional residue,' where remnants of distraction linger even after it's removed. Once you log off of social media, you may still find your thoughts occupied by what you just saw. Given that the mind has a limited processing capacity, important poker information competes with trivial distractions, such as humorous memes and vacation photos from friends.

For some, understanding the dangers of distractions may make it easier to eliminate them while playing or studying. A strong poker player knows how to put aside their smartphone, disable Skype notifications, inform family and friends that they are unavailable, and close unnecessary browser tabs. If you can successfully manage these tasks, you’re on the right track to regaining excellent focus. Yet, after years of assisting players, I've realized that simply educating them won't suffice for most. The majority first need to identify and address the fundamental reasons behind their compulsive distractions. fix the underlying cause It’s crucial to reflect on these questions to determine when and why you’re most likely to become distracted. Pinpointing the source of your distractions can be tough, especially if you’ve never previously tackled mental game issues. Here’s a helpful poker insight for players of all skill levels: consider conducting a personal experiment where you

While forcing yourself to concentrate won’t yield immediate results, persistent effort will just going to lose anyway so why bother being focused?

Admittedly, taking notes might distract from your game, but you're doing it as part of a strategic approach to poker aimed at understanding your distraction patterns. Engage in this exercise for a week—or an equivalent period if you play less frequently—and then analyze the information to determine your most common distractions and potential reasons behind them. Once you understand the root causes, devise some solutions. Here are some ideas: force yourself to focus If you feel compelled to stay in constant contact with family, friends, or fellow poker enthusiasts, notify them before you start playing about your unavailability and specify the duration. If this doesn’t curb your impulse to connect, reflect on the reasons for your need to be constantly in touch.

If you find poker uninteresting and seek distractions to stay engaged, seek new challenges within the game. There is always fresh knowledge to acquire, even beyond the numerous poker strategy articles available.

• Even if that involves delving deeper into the thought processes and strategies of your opponents.
• If your problem is rooted in a fear of loss, then it’s essential to address your discomfort with losing rather than simply blaming a lack of focus. Resolving the emotional pain of losing is crucial to improving your concentration.
• In this modern era, we face an unending array of distractions. Regardless of the reasons for your distractions while playing poker, take them seriously. This poker strategy insight can help you cultivate a rare and valuable skill that not only enhances your poker prowess but also aids in achieving greater success in all areas of life.Jared Tendler, MS, LMHC, is a licensed therapist who specializes in sports psychology and is regarded as a leading expert on the mental aspects of poker. Over nearly a decade of coaching poker players, he has guided over 500 individuals from more than 45 countries, including some of the world’s top players. He is also the author of two highly acclaimed books on the subject: The Mental Game of Poker 1 and Poker 2.
• Jared Tendler - Coach for Poker's Mental Game

Jared Tendler, MS, LMHC, is a licensed therapist focused on sports psychology and has established himself as a foremost authority on the mental game of poker. With almost 10 years of experience coaching poker players, he has worked with over 500 players from 45 countries, many of whom are among the best in the world. Additionally, he has authored two best-selling books on the topic: The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2 [insert link to our book reviews]. play better poker 888poker-EGR-logo-Mobile-Header-2021-white

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