Online distractions

[Dave B]

Where do you all play? I find that I dont play well after an hour or so online. My computer is in an office and I usually play at night when ths kids are sleeping, so it is pretty quiet. I just get board and look to mix things up more than I should (or surf the net, play online spades, etc) Even multitabling doesnt keep my attention.

Jonnyboy told me that he put poker on his laptop and plays while watching TV or doing other stuff. I tried this last night with my work laptop (shhh, dont tell) and found that I was pleasantly surprised with the 3 hours that I put in.

When playing live, I usually only "study" a player for an 30-60 minutes, then I pay attention to other things when not in a hand. 1/2 the players I know before I even sit down. There is just a lot more to see than just the cards, so I dont get as antsy, until after about 4-5 hours in. Unless, of course, I am gazing at the Bellagio hotties.

One night does not make a trend, but just wondering what others do while playing online.

I was thinking that I can even play from my boat in the garage and pertend that I am fishing and playing poker.

[MrDarling]

well, I sit very uncomfortably on my couch with my laptop on my lap.
The TV is usually on; but I rarely give it any attention. And often do not mind it off.

Guess I just enjoy poker too much, as I easily put in few hours without noticing.

I do find that I can play tighter 6 tables (then my usual 4), but I can even play a 1 table MTT for 6 hours without losing interest.

[ninetensuited]

well, I sit very uncomfortably on my couch with my laptop on my lap.
The TV is usually on; but I rarely give it any attention. And often do not mind it off.

Guess I just enjoy poker too much, as I easily put in few hours without noticing.

I do find that I can play tighter 6 tables (then my usual 4), but I can even play a 1 table MTT for 6 hours without losing interest.

i sit pretty much wherever, usually at my desk though cuz i have my desktop monitor hooked up to my laptop for dual screens, i hardly ever lose interest in the game, i guess i absolutely love it too much as well

[HalfSugar]

Right from the off in any game I found that I was surfing the net or, since I have two monitors on my PC, watching a DVD. That's half the reason I have ditched online poker really - because I do not pay enough attention to what is going on

[Muck]

I think I must have ADHD because I lose concentratoin very quickly. Even at work I spend half of every hour getting/drinking coffee, read/posting on forums or reading news.

When I play a tourney I usually play a cash table too and watching tv/utube. Sometimes do work too working.

UK Peeps: Has anyone seen a game show called Distraction? They should do a poker version

[Felix]

I forum a lot while playing tournaments, because there's often downtime and sometimes I'm too lazy to check reads on people :/ I have the TV on as well, but that's because I have to sit on my couch to play, but it's one comfy couch.

Cash games, I have 4-6 games going, so there's not a lot of time to get distracated, although I usually listen to music in the background.

[mortaleclipse]

Best advice(if you play video games), playing World of Warcraft while playing poker. I put the game on windows mode so I can alt tab back and forth.

[General Sal]

I do my best to focus only on the games. I try not to autopilot, but sometimes I do...

try to learn new stuff as you go along. That's what I'm trying to do. Think about how much they bet, why they bet... enter notes on the players.

I kind of have to focus for now cause i don't wanna go break even again.

[kingetje]

i usually only play my best for like the first hour/ hour and a half/2 hours... after that i can feel concentration slipping. i used to just keep playing out of boredom to have something to do. now when i feel i reach that point i quit. and start playing again a few hours later, maybe have a sammich watch a tv show and get back to it... it has really improved my results doing that.

as for distractions, i usually browse the internet a little, and listen to music, but i cant say that does any harm for me




this post pertains to cashgame play only though, in donkaments i sometimes just keep a half eye open and just play my good hands... that probably needs some work

[Felix]

Just tried something to keep me mentally awake when I get bored. I switch to some micro-stakes 7CS or PL8 (I only play PLO well...I think) for a while, get my brain running again, and swap back to playing serious NLHE again.

[lwestatbus]

What a GREAT post.

I usually have the TV on while playing but it is almost strictly background. If there isn't one my my usual late evening shows then it will often be a TIVOed WSOP or WPT episode--which one doesn't matter. I only play one table at a time and never have anything else going on the computer while playing.

But...if I can't pay attention to the game then I quit. If I realize that I've been two hands in a row and can't remember who raised then that's my usual indicator that it's time to quit. (These are already hands where I've folded--if I'm in it I know what's going on.)

MUCH of my play is late at night (like Dave, when everyone else is in bed) so a big danger is being tired.

A problem I have is that I'll often play without enough focus. At this point in my career I REALLY need to be practicing reading opponents' cards but I don't have the level of focus to do this. I'll pay attention to what people raised with, cold called with, or even played and how often anyone does any of the above, but I fall short of the active level of attention to try to deduce their cards in advance.

Finally, if I can't remember if I'm drinking Wild Turkey or Single Malt then I also know it's time to switch to solitaire.

[Moon_Child]

am i the only person that gets nervous for the first 15 minutes when i sit at a poker table online? i usually spend like 5 minutes trying to open up 4 short handed tables. in the beginning i'm pretty nervous. not sure why tho... after 15 minutes i would settle down and play my best game for a hour and a bit more. that is... if i don't go on tilt from getting sucked out.

usually after the first hour, i start to lose focus as well... i can't stare at the monitor for too long cuz it hurts my eyes since i'm always staring at the computer or things. i don't think i've ever exceed 2 hours of play. even after the first hour i would watch tv and not pay attention too much. i wish i had a laptop, but that would be next year when the school makes me purchase one for the my program that i am in.

then i can just relax on the coach and be comfortable, play a bit more than 2 hours and maybe i'll enter a few MTTs.

[Muck]

It can be dangerous though to not pay attention. I was watching a televised $50 SnG on some daytime poker channel. 6 handed comes down to 4, blinds 100-200, everyone except UTG has 2K+

UTG - JTo pushes 900
OTB - J7 folds
SB - 96o folds
BB - KK folds

The commentator had a job to think why the BB didn't call. Finally said "He's either gone to the bathroom or he's the tightest player I've ever seen."

Gutted

Best advice(if you play video games), playing World of Warcraft while playing poker. I put the game on windows mode so I can alt tab back and forth.

It's nice to take a break from grinding to play WOW...oh wait Sorry thing might have changed since I played.

[MrDarling]

am i the only person that gets nervous for the first 15 minutes when i sit at a poker table online?

Yes! I'm pretty sure you are.

[Dave B]

I was watching a televised $50 SnG on some daytime poker channel. 6 handed comes down to 4, blinds 100-200, everyone except UTG has 2K+

"Wanker, party of one....wanker, party of one, your table is ready"