My Poker Break - the Before and After Story

Recently, I posted an article announcing that I was 'taking a break from poker'. The break is over, and now it is time for the rest of the story. So, did my two week break from poker help? In a word, yes! In fact, phenomenally so.

I am currently playing in two sit n go tournament buy-in levels, one higher, the other lower. The higher level is new territory for me (only 47 played), but it has become my preferred level. Still, I switch back and forth based upon my mood, the competition, and game availability.

The going had really gotten rough recently (before my break) at both levels, especially at the higher level. I am still learning the adjustments required at the new level. It seems to be a bit more loose/aggressive than my previous level. I suppose that that is because the players at the higher level have more confidence in their post-flop ability.

 

Here is my six game finish record at the higher level leading up to my break (all were out-of-the-money finishes):

 

1. 9th.
2. 8th.
3. 7th.
4. 6th.
5. 4th. And,
6. Another loss. But, I was so disgusted I did not record my finish place.

At this point, I threw in the towel, put myself on the injured list, and began my two week vacation from poker. After a nice worry free rest, I came back.

Here is my record for the first six games since returning from my break (all are in-the-money finishes):

1. 3rd.
2. 3rd.
3. 2nd.
4. 3rd.
5. 1st. And,
6. 1st.

Coincidence? Variance? Dumb luck? Doubtful. My mind is clearer, my thinking is crisper, my energy is abundant, and my decisions are better. Plus, I do not feel anything inside of me. Before the break, I felt like I was going to explode. The pressure to win had been building. And, that is a form of tilt: emotional pressure from worry and trying too hard.

If you can feel something going on inside of you, like elevated heart rate, flushed face, tensed muscles, and your stomach in knots, that is a bad sign. While those could be the symptoms of a heart attack, it is probably something much worse, poker tilt.

What about the new poker book I had started reading during my break? Well, I am only one-half way through, but it is already my number one tournament book.  Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen is a superb hand-by-hand chronicle of winning a major deep-stacked poker tournament. I highly recommend that you read his book.

So, how did Hansen's book help my game? Well, it had obviously become noticeable to my opponents (and even to me), that I had begun playing either too tight or too timid during the middle rounds of a tournament. Probably, on account of fear of losing. Which is a common enough reason. As we approach the bubble, it is a natural tendency to tighten up, or to play more cautiously (timidly).

To Hansen's credit, he is certainly one of the world class players who definitely do not tighten up in the middle rounds. I listened carefully to Hansen, and heard his message loud and clear. Mentally, I began to make the necessary game adjustments while on my break.

Upon returning from my break, I made one more important change. At my old level, I had become somewhat competent and comfortable (1,679 played). Consequently, I usually maintained only five to ten tournament buy-ins in my poker site account. This is not much compared to the bankroll required for most poker games, or for the multitable tournaments. But, that is one of the nice features of playing in sit n go tournaments. In any event, fifteen to twenty buy-ins should be more than adequate for most sit n go players.

When moving to the higher level, I had mistakenly allowed my account to remain nearer to the old level balance and ratio. The result, of course, was having to frequently reload my account. Apart from the inconvenience, there was a psychological impact. Not a major impact, but one that sort of lurks around in the shadows of your mind. Waiting to piggy back onto some other disturbance.

Trouble is, there were plenty of other little gremlins lurking around in my mind, too. Disturbing little guys, like losing at both levels, suck-outs and bad beats galore, and the alien environment of a new level. Factor in frequent reloading, and my mental pot began to boil.

I think that what happens next, is on account that the subconscious mind acts in rather independent ways. First, it received the message: which was, that I am losing. The subconscious mind then influences behavior to protect its owner (from losing): which was, to take less risk. That is all well and good. Except that taking less risk in the middle rounds of a tournament actually causes a greater likelihood of losing. Thus, begins the self-defeating, self-reinforcing spiral: continuing losses, causing less risk taking, causing continuing losses. An effect something like falling dominoes, except during a poker game.

There is an old saying that, 'we cause to happen what we are trying to prevent'. Lesson learned, I hope. Although, I am not totally certain that I can speak for my subconscious. It seems to have a mind of its own. Anyway, my poker site account now contains a minimum of twenty buy-ins for the higher level.

Now, I am wondering if I should take another poker break before I mess up everything? Maybe, I will try three weeks this time.

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Copyright 2009  R. Steve McCollum

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