Background: I was a strictly tournament player that has started playing 1/2 nl at my local casino. Having fun doing both now, but looking for ways to constantly improve my play in both types of games.

After a couple of poor sessions, I have noticed a trend. When I have a set time limit to play (limit myself to only a few hours, friends want to meet up for dinner, etc) I play horribly.

I try to make hero calls, vow to attack the idiots that somehow have big stacks, play scared sometimes, and way too fast at other times, etc.

When I sit down without a time limit, my patience leads me to nice paydays.

Obviously, I will try to play from now on without the limits (and finish reading both of Harrington's cash game books). Just wondering if anyone else has any wisdom to share on the subject.

Attacking big stacks because you believe them to be idiots is a sure way to lose, IMO.

Having a time limit should not change your style of play only how long you can play at certain times.

Try to play your normal game, jut keep in mind you have to leave at X oclock.

The idiots are the ones giving them the money (i.e. me). One time though, a kid with a big stack was afraid of a potential straight when he had a boat. Hard not to focus on his stack.

Ive played badly in the past when I know I have to be somewhere and don't have long. Making bad calls and trying to force the action.

Now when I play live I turn my phone off and focus at enjoying the game and trying to win.

Oddly enough I seem to play better on a time limit. I usually start doing well, and get confident, I'm having a good time, and then after about six hours I'm up pretty far but I have in the past not had the discipline to walk away from it and as my game declines so does my stack.

Knowing when I'll leave prevents that.

That said, I don't make the trip to the casino without a minimum two hours to be able to play with my phone off, etc., and I prefer having three or four (or more, sometimes).

Anything you can do to reduce the number of distractions and preoccupations you have while playing is likely beneficial. One thing that I find helps, although not everybody has the bankroll or desire or time for it, is to get a room at the place you're playing. If I go on a downswing or get frustrated or tired, I know I can go up to my room and wash my face or take a shower or a nap and recharge. When I was in school, I'd drive down to AC in the late morning (about a 90 minute drive) and play until 3-4 in the morning then drive home and go to sleep. Just thinking about the drive home after a long, exhausting session drained me even more and probably caused me to stay at the table a bit longer than I normally would have (procrastination). So reduce distractions when possible.

As Sklansky wrote a long time ago, it is all just one long session. It sounds like you might also have problem with manufacturing winning sessions.

At 1/2, the advice you need is to value bet until they tell you you're beat.

Sample size?

I absolutely can not play rushed and/or pressured. When I go play live, I go by myself and make sure I have plenty of time to play.

I know my leak that I still have to keep under control is when I know I'm getting up at such-and-such time, if I'm stuck I start chasing to get back to even (risking going broke than accepting a half buyin loss), and if I'm up I tighten up too much. I think that's everyone's natural tendencies anyways, and I'm glad to say it's basically a nonfactor in my game now, but it still can subconsciously creep in once in awhile if you don't stay on top of it.