Mental Defect

[chewybarber 0]

I suffer from what can only be described as a mental defect. I literally explode mid-tourneys after playing an otherwise decent game. Idon't think I'm the only one, so I am seeking advice from otherswho have overcome this same defect.You know the routine. You play well, or as well as you can play. Then,for no reason you can explain, you decide to go insane in a hand youhave no business going out in, and blow off half or better of your stack.That is a mental defect, a serious flaw -- same thing we see in chesswhen after an otherwise great game the player looses the thread of the gameand is soon crushed.I don't think it is necessary to give example hands, if you have sufferedthis fate -- and I'm sure you have -- then you know exactly what I amtalking about.Why do I go insane mid-tourney and blow off my chips? Is it as simpleas an inability to focus for long periods of time? Is it pressure? My ego? What makes me go crazy?What do you do to help avoid these "blackouts"?thanksEdit/Delete Message

[Sheiky 0]

I had this problem and stopped playing tourneys.

[dingas 0]

It's not really a problem. You're just not cut out to be a tournament poker player because you can't focus effectively for more than 1-2 hours at a time. Everyone needs to find their own strengths and weaknesses. I would advise you to start playing sit-and-gos/ cash games/ or turbo tournaments.

[Gargoyle97 0]

This sounds sort of familiar to my experience.If I am playing a tight game, I end up watching worse hands/plays build chips stacks other than mine. Meanwhile, my stack is losing ground to both the blinds and average stack. My emotions drift toward jealousy or frustration. Eventually, I get into some dumb situation and push too hard too late in a hand or against the wrong player and convince myself that my tight table image will push others out.My results started to change when I got more disciplined about having a game plan for the whole tourney. Including when to play tight, when to open up, how to identify players to make a move against, how to identify players to avoid, the importance of stack size, etc. I don't have recipe to share for playing a tourney and I don't always get it right, but I am always thinking about my game and what things can I exploit.However, the biggest benefit could be that by gathering information I am less affected by results biased observation of my opponents play. I no longer have any sense of "injustice" when someone crazy play gets them a pile of chips. My mindset is better throughout the tourney and I play better throughout as a result.

[Actuary 3]

you have abandonment issuesbye

[chewybarber 0]

Thanks.I think I will continue to play tourneys and work to improve.I think developing an overall strategy for the entire tourney, and a mental script for individual hands will help. Not having a routine seems to leave me open to acting without good reason, andthis is probably worse after long periods of concentration. thinking this anyway

[Actuary 3]

play a small cash game along side, maybe you let your mind drift.that's all I got

[copernicus 0]

Watch some training videos and see how rarely the good players "make moves" when they arent shortstacked. blowing up is usually the result of trying to force things and getting sucked deep into a hand that started out as a move. Then the next time youre contemplating making a move, think about the videos, and think about those times when you did blow up and crippled your stack and AA or KK showed up a hand or two later.

[Frez 0]

Watch some training videos and see how rarely the good players "make moves" when they arent shortstacked. blowing up is usually the result of trying to force things and getting sucked deep into a hand that started out as a move. Then the next time youre contemplating making a move, think about the videos, and think about those times when you did blow up and crippled your stack and AA or KK showed up a hand or two later.

Wise words.Otherwise known as Fancy Play Syndrome

[Sheiky 0]

Watch some training videos and see how rarely the good players "make moves" when they arent shortstacked. blowing up is usually the result of trying to force things and getting sucked deep into a hand that started out as a move. Then the next time youre contemplating making a move, think about the videos, and think about those times when you did blow up and crippled your stack and AA or KK showed up a hand or two later.

Good advice