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Originally Posted by Blunderer
Its quite an interesting discussion. I suspect both sides are right in their own way.
I'm not good enough at poker to know what the answer is.
Hi Blunderer:
There's no way this is correct. I've stated very clearly why I disagree with much of the poker psychology information that's out there and have given specific reasons why it's wrong.
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That said I have done a huge amount of exams in my day. Based on Mason's arguments (I think) he would suggest its just about how well you have studied. Cartner's view would be that there are other angles to it.
The way I understand what Cardner and some of the other poker mental coaches advocate is that they go to the sports psychology world and apply things that may help speed, timing, and coordination to poker and probably other endeavors that are based mainly on knowledge. So I don't buy the other angles idea.
However, I do agree with your how well you have studied statement. The toughest test I ever took was my oral exam to get my Masters in Math degree. Before the exam I studied at least 12 hours a day for about two and a half weeks straight with no breaks. (I wasn't the most dedicated graduate student and my professors made it clear that my oral examine would be a real test and I took them seriously.) Anyway, even though I was quite physically tired, all the work paid off.
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My sense is that the debate is being made artificially mutually exclusive.
You will always do better at an exam by knowing the subject better.
But you will also do better coping with the stress, having self belief, being able to access the knowledge.
I agree that these things are nice, but stuff like reducing stress and having self belief has to be far more important when speed, timing, and coordination are involved. Thus my dismisal of much of what the poker mental coaches, of who I'm critical, advocate.
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I don't think this always comes from just studying harder, although this also helps (a lot).
When I play tennis, even though I have significant knowledge of how to play the game, I need a warm up toplay my best. Do you need a warm up before sitting down at the poker table. I doubt it, and even if it helps a little, it won't be the same as an athletic sport.
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Even if it did, there are those that go into the hall who haven't studied hard enough who will do better because of their ability to cope with that stress (or who have the better mental game)
I can accept this. If you take a test and are stress free, perhaps you'll do a little better than if you're not. But the people who do the best are those who are very knowledegeable on the subject, and if this is not the case, don't expect to do well on the test. In addition, and this is very important, if you know the subject matter well, you'll most likely enter the testing room confident and virtually stress free.
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Both sides are right (kind of)
Again, I don't agree, but thanks for an interesting post.
Best wishes,
Mason