Hi Mason,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mason Malmuth
Hi Desultory:
This is an interesting point. My understanding is that stuff like meditation can make you feel better about certain things that are bothering you, and this can include poker. On the other hand, the important question is does meditation, and similar endeavors, help uou play poker better, and in most cases I doubt.
The possible exception might be if you're already an excellent player and perhaps feeling better about things helps you to concentrate or channel your thoughts better. But for the vast majority of people who play poker, and have many holes in their strategy, doing things like taking deep breaths just can't be of much value. They would be far better off improving their knowledge relative to all things poker, and this includes their poker mental game.
Best wishes,
Mason
I think the bold is problematic in that everyone can benefit from clearer thinking when it comes to poker. Think of the difference between the drunk maniac playing 100% of hands for a raise preflop, compared with the 50% raising lag that plays ok postflop. I've seen more than one individual play both parts of that equation. On many occasions I'll ask my online opponents, "are you drinking or something?" and the answer is usually yes. When the answer is no, then I assume they're taking out their real life frustrations on poker. Pressing, as many would call it.
In other sports that require quick thinking and physical reaction, concentration and clear thinking is huge. Anyone that has ever got drunk on a Friday night and then played basketball Saturday morning would know this to be true.
Finally, there's the issue of not giving your opponents enough credit or giving them too much credit. It seems silly to me now that there are infinite potentially profitable poker strategies available to us, as well as infinite unprofitable poker strategies available to us. I think it's important to note that many players may have us fooled regarding their win and loss columns. Not necessarily to have you, Mason, fooled, but to the average poker player trying to improve his game? Knowing the difference between the 50% lag and the 100% maniac, and having the plan, the concentration, and the clarity of mind necessary to implement a proper counter strategy vs those imaginary opponents, are all integral pieces of the mental puzzle that is poker.
How does that relate to deep breaths? Well for starters, not everyone gets to lead traumatic stress free lives. Some people have heinous things that happened in their lives. You have literally no idea whether this opponent is thinking about poker, or as Tom Petty said:
"Maybe you were tied up, taken away, and held for ransom."
rip
So sometimes, yeah I need to take a few seconds to gather my thoughts before I even start to think about something as silly as a poker game. Occasionally it's my turn when this happens. A deep breath helps me during these times.
peace,
Bob
Last edited by Bob148; 10-03-2017 at 10:46 PM.
Reason: not really a Bob, I just play one on the internet.