Your focus is everything in online poker. Just ask Patrik Antonius or Mike Sexton.
When you are sitting at your home on your own computer in your comfortable chair, you are more likely to be distracted by things that are going on around you. You need to make sure that you prepare your environment to suit your focus for the game.
If you lose this poker focus then you are no longer on your “A game” and you shouldn’t be on the tables. Maintaining focus in online poker is easy as long as you respect what you are doing as work. You are trying to earn money by playing online poker so you need to take it seriously. Click here to get started playing online poker now.
1. Alone
You need to make sure that you are alone while you are playing online poker. When there are other people around, it is very hard to concentrate because even in your peripherals you can see them and it takes away from concentration.
When you are alone it is up to you and only you to ensure that you are focusing on the game. You need to be separate from the people you live with while you are playing to simply avoid any possibility of being distracted. Realize that it is a possibility and eliminate it before it becomes a problem.
2. Comfortable
You want to make sure that you are comfortable while you are playing online poker. When you sit down for a session you should expect to be there for an hour to two hours at least. Use the restroom before you sit down to play. Get a drink and bring it with you to where you are going to play at.
If you like music while you play then set up a playlist of music that will last the whole time of your session so that you don’t have to change it. Doing all of these things will help you to keep focus on the games because you will not have to worry about any of your needs to be comfortable while playing.
3. Analyze Yourself
One of the coolest things about poker is that you can always get better. While you are playing take a few extra seconds to analyze yourself and your surroundings to make sure that you are keeping focus. After every play where you lose a lot of money or win a lot of money analyze what you did that was correct or incorrect.
Also keep an eye on everything that you are paying attention to. Be realistic and honest with yourself. If you have a window open and you keep glancing out looking at the neighbor mowing their lawn, then close the window and pat yourself on the back. You realized you weren’t keeping focused and eliminated the distraction. Good for you!
4. Write Notes
Now this sounds dumb, but it is known that there are tons of online poker players who do this to maintain focus. Get a stack of postit notes and write yourself some reminders about things that you know you need to work on and stick them on the edge of your computer screen. If you need to start loosening up more in late position then write “Am I opening up in late position?” on a note and put it on the screen.
With this physical reminder there in front of you, there is no way to not remember to do it. When you review your hand histories and stats for your sessions, find your leaks and write those out. Seeing them will be a constant reminder and will help you to remove them from your game.
5. Play at active rooms
Finally the best way to maintain your poker focus online is to play at a poker room full of action. This way you do not get bored and easily distracted. And you should multi-table to keep the pressure and speed going. This is a way not just to make more money, but also to stay focused.
As one of the most active poker room online, Full Tilt Poker is a good choice to make sure you remained focused. Join the fun and visit Full Tilt now.
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If you have not yet opened an account at Full Tilt, they offer an attractive promotion to all new players. Using the Full Tilt referral code 600WOW, and will receive a 100% bonus matchup up to $600 when you sign up. Alternatively Bodog Poker is a good room allowing US players, as well as Doyles’ Room and Cake Poker.