how to improve patience

stussy2k · #1 10-19-04, 11:16 PM

i've always had a problem with being patient, making a move way to early in real games. any way to help with that?

2Tone · #2 10-19-04, 11:22 PM

Online I assume, yes?

It's a risky way to solve your problem, but have you considered multi-tabling? It certainly allows you to play more hands per hour. At the same time, you aren't going to get the same reads you would if you concentrated on earning the maximum from one table at a time.

Personally, I rarely multitable, only if I'm looking to clear a bonus in a hurry.

The other thing that helps is music, which is a constant for me.

stussy2k · #3 10-19-04, 11:23 PM

actually, in real life

online, i'm fine, i have enough things to distract me from going blast tilt, but at home games, i just loose focus alot.

humpty99 · #4 10-19-04, 11:42 PM

It is a very elementary way to solve your problem, and whatever you do don't tell anyone you are doing it because they will read you like a book, but set strict guidelines for yourself for each position at the table. Play ONLY certain cards from certain positions, and just as an example don't allow yourself to make a move unless you flop BETTER than top pair. The obvious downfall is that you have to have the will power to follow your own rules, and you miss out on some chances to take down pots; however, if you do this for about a month I think the habit of patience will set in. You may lose that month, but the long term benefits may be good for you. Hope you figure it out.

2Tone · #5 10-19-04, 11:57 PM

Interesting. I don't play home games often -- Seattle has plenty of card rooms for my B&M play. Home games are just with my buddies, and strictly for fun.

Anyone playing many home games? Do you have trouble taking them as seriously as casino/online play?

humpty99 · #6 10-20-04, 12:13 AM

My home games are a joke. I have me, my wife, brother in law, two or three buddies and sometimes their girlfriends. Everyone plays anything, and raising in general is frowned upon and could get you banned from the game, especially pre flop. No one can see the point if you haven't even seen the cards yet. Makes sense, right? My brother in law takes it ultra serious and keeps track of how many times he beats me because that is the only poker he ever plays. I just laugh, and when I get knocked out I go over to the computer and actually make some money. My buddies only will play for 5.00, so you might make 40 on a good night. Wow.

Aequitas58 · #7 10-20-04, 01:39 AM

There is so much to concentrate on at a home game. WATCH the players. Look how they bet when they win a pot. Remember their actions and mannerisms. It's amazing.

Here's a story:
In my group of friends, there is one other person who I actually respect. He is a good player, well-read, does well online, and is ferocious heads-up. Sitting blankly as I folded hand after hand, I picked up an interesting tell, which TO THIS DAY he still does. I told him that I got something good on him, and he claims he doesn't give anything away.

It's incredible. And, it's fun when you pick something up like this.

Talking Poker · #8 10-20-04, 02:49 AM

What is it?

bigjohnstud2o · #9 10-20-04, 04:48 AM

its like the old story of a new player falling in love with their "bad ace". A-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9..........fold some of the hands that you think you would fold more than not. I usually only play hands i can raise with so i put fear in my opponents. That leads to looser play later. But just watch some of those hands that you will be folding and see just exactly how many you would have won. It might surprise you how much you can save. Another thing, this does not directly affect patience but you will see it when i tell you. The biggest mistake that i see players making, including myself a few months back, is play from the small blind. Yes you have good position but that does not mean that you should play everyhand from the SB position every round. Say you are playing 2/4 where blinds are 1/2. say you play 2hours at 75-80 hands per hour. We will say 150 hands. 8 handed. thats nearly 20$ you could save right there. That is 5 big bets if you call with even marginal hands. Just a thought to throw out there. Yea sure you will win a few from this position. But what about those hands when you are starting to really pick up on your opponents and you need a little more money to play as comfortable as you can? huh? just my 2c

Aequitas58 · #10 10-21-04, 02:04 PM

Private message me, and I'll tell you. I don't want to post publicly, he might be reading! (He is invovled in the poker world - B/M and online.)

Aequitas58 · #11 10-20-04, 01:41 AM

I wish I could play online like I do in the casino. It's unreal. I have so much confidence in my B/M game... when it comes to online play, things change. I find myself having to mulitable ring games and tournaments combined. It's odd though, because in the casino I have no problem sitting around.

jayadd · #12 10-20-04, 12:58 PM

try listening to music or having the tv on. One other helpful suggestion is to force yourself to take notes on 2 players at your table on habits and styles. It wil kill time and may benefit at the end result.

PShabi · #13 10-21-04, 12:10 PM

Humpty has some good advice. Start with STRICT rules and then you can loosen the reigns as you need.

Here's an interesting story.

Playing a 20 man NL tourney and there's about 15 of us left. Power goes out at work and I'm disconnected from the tourney for at least 15 minutes. Anyway, I come back, there's about 9 left and I win the tourney. Just lost my blinds during that time. Luckily, my stack was of average health and the blinds weren't too big yet, but it shows conservative play is good in the early parts of a game.