You're a Bunch of Factors

After an appalling weekend of poker, I sat down last night to a 24+2 tourney to try and reclaim some confidence in my game.

After playing tight, very aggressive poker for 4 hours, we had whittled 450 people down to 13. I was sitting in either 11th or 12th with around 30K, blinds where 2500/5000/250 (ish) so I was short stacked, but I had another round or two in me.

Now, keeping in mind, I had played tight all night, making some (for me) big lay downs I make this horrible call. Not once all night did I get my chips in bad and have to suck out on someone - I did make some decent c-bets to take pots where i had nothing, but timed/sized them well enough I wasn't caught out.

Situation: I'm on the button with A9 and there is an all-in from mid position with a stack similar to mine. Having not once all night premeditated my decisions, having seen the A9 I'd already decided this was a "steal the blinds" hand - giving no thought to the fact the all-in guy was running around 15% VPIP.

Naturally he rolls over AA when I call, and my night is done.

Now my question for those on here is, how does everyone keep their concentration going for long online sessions?

That call was one of the worst I've made in a long time - sure his range was wide, but I did not need to make that call at all, and final table was beckoning with a suitable $$ jump.

Seems particularly appropriate time to ask this question on here given everyone has just had to sit down for a long time on the weekend. Very frustrating to play 4 hours only to make such a stupid mistake - does anyone have any techniques to help stave off this sort of thing, or is it just all practice?

Any advice gratefully accepted

how many skittles u get there matty?

LOL! - not enough for 4 hours work! think it was around 100?

matt what i did in the states is pretty much the same as you

i was second lowest chip stack at that point on my table, called an all in with k,10 when the break was 12mins away, 2 places from FT with a big $$$ jump

i would of liked to lay that down and not risk my chips like that, only bad decision of the day

It's definitely hard work concentrating for several hours in a row.

I recommend not getting the flu that morning!

For online I tend to make extensive use of the player notes. It's helpful because I don't have to remember as much, it's all there at a glance. Still need to be paying attention but some things can take more of a backseat which helps you concentrate more on the 'now' and how it weighs up against your player notes.

No such luxury for live play! I'd say simple things like having a good healthy breakfast would do as much good as anything else.

I'd have to agree there Pete. You do have the flu.

No just kidding.

I agree, a good breakfast and putting your body in a good state would be ideal.

Bad decisions aren't just bad because you make a mistake, but often are due to being tired, and subconsciously putting yourself in a position to win, and lose.

Fatigue-Tilt!

The one thing I have thought of is perhaps a checklist on my other monitor - usually I have a mental one I run thru, but fatigue-tilt (lol) does seem to erase my habit of using it

Like Steve says, it is gutting to make so many right decisions, esp when you've not really had any cards and you've ground your way there, only to throw it away because you got a little excited at seeing two picture (or high) cards. Damn lack of concentration!

A good nights sleep is key, you must be relaxed and have a positive mindset.

I also find red bull or anything with caffeine, guarana or taurine helps alot, but this is a short term fix and before you know it you are twelves into a tournament, have sunk 8 red bulls and feel like absolute shite.

The real key to maintaining concentration is to train yourself for it. Sleep well, eat well and every now and again get up and walk away from the table or computer just to refresh your mind and take in some different views.

I liken it to batting in cricket.

You can toil all day and then play one rash shot that gets you out. All that work is undone.

In saying that, if you bat, and score slowly, you put pressure on yourself to make runs up later, as in a tournament.

interesting discussion, i have exactly the same problem - lots of good work undone by a brain fade