A Significant Update Regarding The Mental Game of Poker: The Introduction of the Mental Hand History

I take great pride in the fact that the majority of the content in my initial work poker strategy book, The Mental Game of Poker remains relevant six years after its release. However, there is one aspect I believe requires an update.

I realize now that I should have highlighted the Mental Hand History more prominently. It's my main tool for assisting players in uncovering the root causes of issues like tilt, anxiety, lack of motivation, or confidence struggles. I chose this term to inspire players to examine their experiences mental game improvement methodically and logically, just as they do when analyzing technical mistakes. Nowadays, clients frequently share their Mental Hand History– sometimes aPDFs for me to review, much like they would send a poker hand history to their technical coach.

In this updated poker discussion, I must stress the considerable distinction between resolving a mental game issue and the ways players usually try to manage them. Typically, they might attempt to suppress their emotions by quitting, taking deep breaths, lowering their stakes, or following advice like 'just don't let it get to you.' Although suggestions like these can temporarily reduce tilt, lower risk aversion, or boost confidence, the underlying issue persists. It's merely been shoved into the background, only to resurface, often with even more intensity.

Poker tilt Simply managing emotions isn't a complete solution; it’s merely a step toward finding a resolution. Yet, many players mistakenly view control as their sole method for addressing mental game challenges, which leads them to:

• Experience significant fluctuations in their gameplay
• Encounter severe emotional breakdowns where they tilt uncontrollably, become frozen with fear, or feel utterly demotivated.
• Waste potential energy that could have been used for making sound decisions.

Achieving resolution means you've effectively dealt with the issue and it no longer affects you. The intense emotions you experience during a downswing, after a mistake, or when facing aggressive opponents reflect a deeper flaw in your approach to the game. The emotions themselves are not the core problem. The genuine issues stem from misunderstandings about control, misconceptions regarding the learning process, and unrealistic desires. By addressing these fundamental flaws, your reactions to downswings, mistakes, or challenging opponents improve, even in the toughest situations. You won’t be continuously battling your emotions or attempting to suppress them because they will no longer be an issue. That is the essence of resolution—an end to your struggles, rather than engaging in a continuous battle against them.

In the poker video below, I elaborate on the significance of your Mental Hand History:

The Mental Hand History comprises a sequence of actions you can undertake to uncover the fundamental cause of your challenges and to devise a resolution. It’s crucial to approach it as a tool for discovering fresh insights rather than as a mere quiz to regurgitate what you already believe you know. If you already had the correct answer, you probably wouldn’t need to engage in this exercise. Embrace the idea that there is always more to learn, even beyond the best poker literature, and encourage yourself to delve deeper into your thought processes than usual.

Here are the steps accompanied by additional guidance. However, you might find it clearer after reviewing some examples below.

Step 1.Articulate the problem or mistake in meticulous detail.

This encompasses your thoughts, emotions, physical responses, changes to your gameplay, and actions associated with the issue. Take the time to provide an accurate characterization, as the quality of your responses in the subsequent steps hinges on what you articulate here.

Step 2.Clarify why it stands to reason that you would encounter this problem or experience those specific thoughts, feelings, or behaviors.

The objective of this stage is to comprehend the rationale behind your situation. What is the root cause? Nothing concerning the mental game occurs by chance, so there is a logical explanation for your issue. Challenge yourself to probe deeper and articulate your reasoning.

Step 3.Explain why the logic in step 2 is flawed.

This is where we uncover the true cause of your challenges. As a beginner in addressing mental game problems, this step may prove difficult. However, don't be disheartened if you encounter difficulties. By following these steps, you're likely to arrive at more insightful solutions than if you relied on simplistic poker strategy articles. Do your best, and refer to The Mental Game of Poker if you require assistance. An additional reminder: your emotions are never the root flaw; they are merely symptoms. Your task is to understand why you experience them, as that will lead you to the actual flaw.

Step 4.Develop a solution for that flawed reasoning.

Ensure that your correction targets the illogical thought process rather than falling back on commonly known responses. For instance, in the case of tilt stemming from a bad beat, avoid using the phrase, 'Bad beats happen, don’t let them affect you.' The truth is they do affect you, and ignoring that prevents you from grasping the reason behind those feelings.

Step 5.Justify why that correction is valid.

This step may be considered an extra bonus, but understanding the theory behind why your correction works can help solidify it in your consciousness.

Step 1.Articulate the problem or mistake in meticulous detail. I get frustrated when weak players win pots against me. Many of them have never engaged with a poker book or even skimmed a PDF; how can they continually get so lucky?!

Step 2.Clarify why it stands to reason that you would encounter this problem or experience those specific thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. I dedicate considerable effort to my game, and it seems unfair that someone who doesn't put in the work can outplay me.

Step 3.Point out the flaw in the logic from step 2. Achieving perfect poker is unattainable, and frequently, weaker opponents are the hardest to contend with because their unpredictability can be challenging. Furthermore, if I'm playing well, I should generally not find myself lucky against them, since I will often hold the upper hand.

Step 4.Develop a solution for that flawed reasoning. Losing is an inherent part of poker. My focus must be on my own play rather than the outcomes and truly understanding how my opponents think and operate. making better decisions The Mental Game of Poker & Finding Solutions

Step 5.Justify why that correction is valid.

Justify why that correction is valid.

• Aim to revisit your current Mental Hand Histories at least once a week, and consider revising them. Even if nothing significant emerges, you gain valuable repetitions that contribute to resolution.
• After sessions where you were forced to manage negative emotions, or if those emotions overwhelmed you, express your thoughts or feelings through writing. Failing to do so can result in those emotions lingering and complicating your ability to maintain control. Subsequently, review what you've written; if you've previously addressed the issue, revisit an existing Mental Hand History to reinforce your understanding of its cause and resolution. Conversely, if the problem appears new, draft a new Mental Hand History to uncover the underlying issues.
• Addressing Underlying Causes of Mental Obstacles in Poker play poker Understand Yourself Before Engaging in Play

The Mental Game of Poker: Mastering Your Mental Hand History

A Significant Update Regarding The Mental Game of Poker: Insights on the Mental Hand History