CRStals
Moderator
Moderator
Getting up and walking around every hour to get your body awake again - especially if it's daylight and you can go outside quick, and doing some light stretches on the side helped me play long tournaments. Water and snacks with you help keep your energy going while you play and don't miss a hand.
BetterThanAvgButNotByMuch
Visionary
Bronze Level
If youre playing full table then get up and walk around the poker floor or the casino.
Just tell the dealer that youll be right back.
When you come back and the tabke is gone and the dealer still watching your chips you should at the very least tip them.
if short shorted just go to another table and do the same, walk around, go to the bathroom or leave the casino for food or a peaceful 30 min drive and return to the casino
While playingnyou need to listen or do something that keeps you alert and focused and thats personal as everyone is different.
You could write poker goals and look at them every now and again.
Or have a picture that reminds you why youre there playing like family or of your favorife player winning and you want to be like them but again thats for everyone to decide what keeps them focused.
gl
Just tell the dealer that youll be right back.
When you come back and the tabke is gone and the dealer still watching your chips you should at the very least tip them.
if short shorted just go to another table and do the same, walk around, go to the bathroom or leave the casino for food or a peaceful 30 min drive and return to the casino
While playingnyou need to listen or do something that keeps you alert and focused and thats personal as everyone is different.
You could write poker goals and look at them every now and again.
Or have a picture that reminds you why youre there playing like family or of your favorife player winning and you want to be like them but again thats for everyone to decide what keeps them focused.
gl
S3mper
Poker Not Checkers
Loyaler
Try getting into meditation (Mindfulness). Studies have shown mindfulness meditation increases attention (Among other things) by 10-40%+ (Depending on how long you've been doing it.) We can even see changes in the brain, specifically for 'attention' mindfulness meditation increases grey matter in the area of the brain that controls attention and the ability to regulate thoughts and emotions (The ACC).
I've personally have just started (So I can't yet give any anecdotal evidence) after years of thinking it was kind of a nonsense thing. I wasn't aware of all the evidence behind it. Though for me my reasons aren't attention but in hopes of lowering anxiety. That said attention as well as the other benefits (memory boosts etc..) are a welcome side effect.
~10 Minutes a day is all it takes.
I've personally have just started (So I can't yet give any anecdotal evidence) after years of thinking it was kind of a nonsense thing. I wasn't aware of all the evidence behind it. Though for me my reasons aren't attention but in hopes of lowering anxiety. That said attention as well as the other benefits (memory boosts etc..) are a welcome side effect.
~10 Minutes a day is all it takes.
Zennnyy
Enthusiast
Silver Level
as a long time live player, becoming patient and learning when your focus is fading due to fatigue, doing something to revigorate your attention is an absolute advantage compared to someone who doesn't, especially those who don't even know being tired is effecting their play.
people start not paying attention, check phone more often, start to give up and rush etc, these are moments you can absolutely take advantage of.
people start not paying attention, check phone more often, start to give up and rush etc, these are moments you can absolutely take advantage of.
S
SOLO22
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Good data, I imagine it's not easy to always stay focused
anasslaaleg
Rock Star
Platinum Level
To stay focused during long live sessions, I mentally prepare myself before even sitting down at the table. A good night's sleep, a light meal, and remind myself that I'm playing for the long haul.
During the session, I avoid getting distracted: I stay attentive even outside of hands, I analyze other players' patterns, and I take mental notes. It's like a little game within the game to keep my mind active.
If I feel my concentration slipping, I get up, walk around a bit, and drink some water. A two-minute break can save hours of bad decisions.
And above all, I manage my emotions. I don't panic after a bad beat, nor get euphoric after a big pot. I stick to my plan and remind myself: "My only goal is to play every spot well."
It's a real mental workout. But the more seriously you play, the more natural it becomes.
During the session, I avoid getting distracted: I stay attentive even outside of hands, I analyze other players' patterns, and I take mental notes. It's like a little game within the game to keep my mind active.
If I feel my concentration slipping, I get up, walk around a bit, and drink some water. A two-minute break can save hours of bad decisions.
And above all, I manage my emotions. I don't panic after a bad beat, nor get euphoric after a big pot. I stick to my plan and remind myself: "My only goal is to play every spot well."
It's a real mental workout. But the more seriously you play, the more natural it becomes.
H
HunRicky63
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Newzooozooo
Legend
Loyaler
I remain focused because my goal is to win. And I don't play tired because it's quite difficult to stay focused when you're tired. Maybe you play tired and that's why you have this problem?
SPANKYSN
Legend
Platinum Level
Taking stimulants will do the trick, but not the healthiest thing...I would start by making sure I got a good night's sleep before playing live...I rarely play more than 3 to 4 hours in a regular live game, and I am usually stoked and relaxed because I am on vacation when I play live poker. The one time I played a marathon session was at the 2019 wsop Colossus event...the excitement in the air was electric...trust me, there was no problem staying focused for the entire 15 hour...YES, that was Fifteen hours of poker to survive the first day.
primrose
Visionary
Bronze Level
Honestly, it's totally fine to lose focus. I lose focus in most sessions, and it doesn't hurt my bottom line very much. You don't directly lose chips by not paying attention. I don't think it's a problem you need to fix.
Once you get a hand you want to play, look around the table since you may not have paid attention to preflop action, and then pay attention during the hand. That will get you 85% of the way there. After the hand is over, maybe the action helped you focus again, but if not, whatever, go back to being distracted until the next hand. It's okay.
Once you get a hand you want to play, look around the table since you may not have paid attention to preflop action, and then pay attention during the hand. That will get you 85% of the way there. After the hand is over, maybe the action helped you focus again, but if not, whatever, go back to being distracted until the next hand. It's okay.
