Posted by Dr Fro 2:06 PM
From the mailbag

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From: jbaird
To: DrFro
Subject: Your post
Date: Fri, 5 Nov 2004 09:44:28 -0600

Due to my system at work I cannot reply on the blog, but I think I went through a similar situation. I had just gone through a full-bent phase of reading everything I could about poker. I would study odds and EVs of starting hands, I was excited about my new knowledge and the prospect of winning lots of money. I played and lost, played and lost, read some more, played and lost. I finally got really frustrated and screamed at no one "DO THE LAWS OF PROBABILITY NOT COUNT WITH ME?" I got frustrated and lost interest in the game. I had no confidence, and didn't have fun when I played. I used to win all the time, and had a good time doing it. I think the problem came when I tried to rush in and make poker a business thing, and focused only on the money, not the thrill of the game. I am not back to where I used to be, but I have definitely lightened up a little, and stopped playing just to maximize profits (or in this case losses), but to also have fun. I think that is the bottom line of it all. I am a social person (and
it's probably why I will never be a good cut-throat player) and it seems that the cards fall for me when I am bs-ing and not over thinking.

Again, this may be completely different than your situation, but you might be too focused on winning and, like you implied, not taking in the experience.

Anyway, take it for what you will, just thought I could empathise, and would share.

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I think that Jayson, Chris, Tenacious, et al are all right. So here is my plan forward:

- limit online play or perhaps eliminate. My strength is reading people, so why play to a disadvantage
- don’t focus on winning (or the fact that I am losing) Take that energy and focus on what is happening in the game
- I have been playing against a mixed bag of players…I should avoid too much action with the better players and really look for opportunities to outplay the bad players
- speaking of bad players, maybe Junell will host a game on Wednesday 2 weeks from now when I am in town. Not only is ½ the table fairly poor at poker, the poker gods always smile on me there. I am not sure if anyone gets dealt better hands and flops anywhere than I do on Waring.
- lighten up. It should be fun

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