What to do when you don’t feel like playing...

A lot of people comment that there are often times when they don’t feel like playing poker so I decided to write a few words on the subject.

I think it is generally good to not play when you really don’t feel like playing but i think when those times occur it might be really useful to ask yourself why you don’t feel like playing? Now sometimes the answer might be really obvious like you have the flu which you can’t do much about except rest and get better. On the other hand sometimes the reason you don’t feel like playing is because you are really hangover from the night before or because there is construction going outside your house. In the first case you could drink a little less the night before and the second case you could rent a hotel room and play if you play high enough that it would be profitable. The general point being there might be action you could take to make it more likely you feel like playing.

There are other reasons you might not feel like playing for example you have a lot of things to do or you have a lot on your mind. In these cases making a list or writing things down so you can get a handle on them might help a lot. I of course don’t know the exact reasons you don’t feel like playing though unless you are aware of the reason there is probably nothing you can do about it which is again why I think spending some time to think about why you don’t feel like playing so you can try and become aware of the reasons and then possible do something about it them could be really helpful and of course profitable over the long run.

There are of course things you can do to make it more likely you feel like playing like take a few minutes to clear your mind and recall what you love about poker. It might help to have a keyword or mantra that links you directly to your love for poker. You could write this word on top of your computer screen or have a photo of some sort nearby or a screen saver that reminds you of the same thing. Sometimes just taking an extra moment to connect to your feelings associated with your love of poker might be all it takes to lock you back into your A-game.

Plus I think it might help to have a basic schedule of when you play poker and when you don’t. Like if you want to play 100 hours or ( equivalent amount of hands) a month then you can basically outline how many days you are going to need to play to reach that goal. Now having a schedule doesn’t mean you are going to keep it but at least you will have a clear idea of the consequences of not playing a certain day.

The other piece of advice I would add is that I find that usually doing something the first chance you have to do something is the best chance you will do it. Like exercise for example, if I have an hour in the am to go for a run or swimming I know that if I don’t go then, then the chances of me going later are dramatically less. It is not like I am equally likely to exercise later in the day even though sometimes I do exercise later in the day (the days I do exercise later in the day it is usually because it is the first chance I have to exercise).


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When I'm winning I'll play 30+hrs per week.

I don't feel like playing when I've been running bad/losing. Sometimes I have to stop for a while (a day, a few days, a week, a few weeks) & come back with a fresh mindset. It can take me a while to want to play again, sometimes I run bad again & I have to stop & wait yet again. I'm in such a stretch right now actually. Doing a little bit of reading about the game but mostly just doing other stuff & not worrying.

I'm not a pro so I don't *have* to play. If you don't *have* to play, I don't think it makes sense to play when you don't want to. I've also been going through a difficult time in my personal life & that makes it more difficult for me to summon the focus to play well.

My point wasn't to say you should play when you don't want to, it was to say that sometimes you can do things to make it more likely you feel like playing...

Plus, I tend to agree when you are going through a rough emotional time for whatever reason you should play less.

I also agree it is sometimes good and necessary to take a break.

Taking initiative takes discipline
That takes work. Sometimes if I don't feel like playing I look at my win rates and think "wow by not playing I am losing XXBB per hour!"
That gives me a little motivation, and once I start playing I'm glad I did I enjoy playing poker. Whatever the results are I know I'm pushing my long-term edge and making money for putting in the hands and gaining experience to become a more solidified winner.
Also playing when you don't have to play allows you to learn to play a winning B game, which allows you to enjoy the game more even when you normally wouldn't "want" to play. It will enhance your income and enjoyment of the game.

Nice post. Good thoughts and points.

Motivation is something I struggle with personally at times. I look for excuses at times to take breaks or play games (video games). WCOOP has helped get me back on track to the right mindset and then also changing up games a bit and playing some slower structured tournaments away from the monotony of turbo structured tournaments.

Am I the only one who don't feel like playing when I am on a winning streak?? When I'm loosing, I can play fairly well for long periods, but as soon as I'm up a bit(after those long sessions), I have a tendancy to quit. Am I a gambler??

P.S. : first post, but I read 2+2 for a long time.

I think I have a touch of that when I'm on a trip to play poker. Sometimes when I book a decent sized win I just want to kick back and enjoy life since I'm in a good mood. I feel like I have extra money, even though that's kind of an illusion because my bankroll needs that money. This is part of the reason I haven't been as successful as pro as I could have been/hope to be in the future.

When I don't feel like playing I usually play much less tables and much more tight because I used to make a lot of bad plays during such sessions