Why Can’t I Let Go Of Hands???
For the last couple weeks I have been losing a lot of buy ins on marginal hands I just can’t seem to let go. I KNOW I should let them go but I just don’t. I will have QQ and the flop has an Ace and I KNOW the guy has ace yet I throw all my chips in the middle like a retard.
I sat down and tried to figure out why I do what I do in these situations.
First I identified whats going on just before i make the call.
-got that mild kind of scared feeling in my chest
-my amigduala or the lizard part of my brain goes into a mild flight or fight mode
Then BAM all my chips are in the middle
I’ve been reading a lot about ego in poker and how there is no place for it. I’m positive its not my ego as I have never had a problem taking the humble path when it came to arguments and the like.
I’m pretty sure this behavior is caused by the more basic instinct part of our brain. This is the mechanism that kept us alive thousands of years ago when a dangerous animal was near by hunting. Our brain senses the danger and puts us on alert to either run or fight.
Of course in todays day and age this mechanism is more annoying than useful but like it or not its part of who we are.
Zen and the Art of Poker suggests that you perceive the game as if you were simply a spectator. Essentially they are talking about emotional detachment.
To achieve this Zen state in Poker or anything for that matter you must practice practice practice knowing the game inside and out. Once you have achieved this your many hours of skillful play will put you in a state where you simply act automatically.
I feel I am closer than ever to this state but still have a ways to go. Will keep studying and practicing and see where it takes me.
-Ethan Caine
Follow me on Twitter @RealEthanCaine
August 03 2010 09:31 pm | Donkey Calls and Poker Strategy
