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In the past I used affirmations to help me quit smoking ciggs and weed each at different times and now use them to cut back on my drinking as well. I am also using them on other things in my personal life. Now Im trying to make some to get rid of my connection with my money for when Im taking shots at higher stakes and to help me reduce or get rid of tilt entirely. If u have any experience using them Id like to here about since I dont really even know anyone that does them.
Hi Everyone:
Whenever I see anything like this the question I ask is will it mean that I will now play some of my hands differently than I would have before and is this new way of playing these hands, or at least some of them, superior to the way I use to play them. I think the answer would be no.
By the way, affirmation nonsense has been around for a long time. Here are some affirmations from my 1996 book
Poker Essays Volume II:
Affirmations
For those of you who keep up with the latest poker literature, you may have noticed that the new rage is what is known as affirmations — short sayings you repeat over and over which are designed to help you win all the chips. In some of my writings in the past, I have been critical of affirmations. But, I try to keep an open mind, and I must admit that I now see their value.
For example, suppose you haven’t been doing very well lately. You might want to repeat to yourself at least twenty times
1.
Running bad will never make me sad.
If that doesn’t work you might try:
2.
If the cards run cold, I’ll work for my load.
Of course, there are other affirmations available if you are having trouble winning. How about
:
3.
If the cards aren’t snappy, I’ll make my opponents happy.
4.
If my luck is bad, I won’t get sad.
5.
When I lose a pot, I’ll pretend it’s not a lot.
6.
If I can’t afford the loss, I’ll pretend I’m the boss.
7.
If I run bad, I will stay glad. Or,
8.
When I’m stuck, I rely on luck.
Now suppose your problem isn’t that you are running bad, perhaps you are just a terrible player. Then you might want to say — remember, at least twenty times:
9.
I would play poker good, if I only could.
10.
I’ll play poker true, even if I turn blue.
11.
I’ll play my best, and try to lose less. Or
12.
If I have a losing trip, my game won’t slip.
Note: Affirmation No. 11 is particularly important.
Consistent with the above is the idea that it sometimes takes a little longer than we would like to be successful at the poker tables. To help us during these times we could say:
13.
If I play too long, I’ll pretend it’s not wrong.
14.
If I get stuck, I’ll see the sun come up.
If you are hungry and are also in this situation you might try:
15.
When it comes time to eat, I’ll stay in my seat.
Actually, the real reason you might be losing is that even though you play well, everyone else in your game may play even better. Now you may want to begin repeating to yourself:
16.
If the game is poor, I’ll buy in for more. Or
17.
If the game gets tough, I’ll try a bluff.
Another reason why your results may be disappointing is that your unlucky dealer is currently in the box. Well, how about
:
18.
If someone draws out, I’ll scream and shout. Or
19.
If my hand gets beat, I’ll jump to my feet.
Sometimes when playing poker you may find it necessary to concentrate on a certain opponent. If that’s the case appropriate affirmations are:
20.
I pick the best seat to give you a bad beat. Or
21.
I’ll check-raise my best pal, and laugh for a while.
If you have a favorite game, and most poker players do, you may want to start chanting:
22.
My game is razz, cause I have pizazz.
23.
I play hold ’em, and never fold ’em.
24.
If I hold the joker, I always play poker. Or for you stud players,
25.
If my upcard is low, I’ll pretend it’s not so.
If bizarre behavior is your thing, you can start repeating:
26.
My image is wild, they’ll think I’m a child.
27.
I’ll play tight and talk loose, just like an old goose.
And if this approach doesn’t work or perhaps something else causes most of your money to disappear how about
:
28.
When my money gets low, I’m not afraid to owe. Or
29.
If I run out of money, I’ll borrow from my honey.
And finally, if you do manage to "bring home the bacon" you can say:
30.
I’ll stack my chips high, until they reach the sky.
By the way, these affirmations will not only do you good, but you can use them to help your friends. For instance, suppose you have just walked into your favorite poker room and you notice one of your pals is buried in a game. You could hand him a piece of paper on which you have written something like "Running bad will never make me sad.” Also, make sure you inform this person that they now need to say this at least twenty times, but that a hundred times is recommended. I’m sure they will appreciate it.
Best wishes,
Mason