How to get motivated to play? (serious topic)

I haven't played poker for close to a month now. I feel that I don't really like playing poker if I am not in the mood for it, as I don't focus as sharp as I'd like to.

Thing is, I "want" to want (yes aware of double want) play poker for long sessions like I used to, but I don't have the motivation to. I am really not in need of money right now but I still love poker, I just don't play it anymore it seems. I come to this website everyday and look at almost every thread / hand and try to learn as much as I can but again, I don't have the motivation to play.

Any tips?

sounds like you've got it good, no pressure and not in NEED of the money. Just live your life and play for fun

No tips from me. generally what is keepign you back are the reasons that you DONT want to play.

realise why you DONT want to play - is it the stress?

then put that in perspective (would i rather work a normal job after all?)

imo a KEY KEY aspect to poker endurance is having tangible friends/associates to encourage you. its very hard to do alone, if you are over a certain age threshold (24+) in my experience (although thats probably because you've had a lot of bad downheartening experiences by then!!)

maybe try learning a different game?

or just look at this for a while:

oooooooooooooh makes me want to make a "shaving ur head" topic :D

im struggling with the same problem right now. It's as if i need some sort of pressure to make me play, otherwise it wont happen enough. Starcraft2 just coming out didnt help either.

On August 30 2010 14:57 byrnesam wrote: maybe try learning a different game? or just look at this for a while:

Pretty good point actually. When i was learning PLO i was pretty motivated.

when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something.

Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube.

So don't play long sessions?

You don't need money...just play when you want to. Throw in some live games, mixed games and you will never get bored.

You love it because you rarely play it.

watch a video from Krantz

Switch to live poker.Much more fun besides the game.

On August 30 2010 15:15 Stygg wrote: when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something. Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube.

so u play above ur bankroll (apparently) and with zero concentration? be careful with this selfgratifying behaviour when your important income is on the line. play below ur limit if anything. realise what ur doing is purely recreational. personaly i do the same but with $1 sngs.

I actually don't believe you can create motivation out of thin air in your mind when it comes to poker. Maybe make a big prop bet with someone? lol

On August 30 2010 15:39 Perisie wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 15:15 Stygg wrote: when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something. Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube. so u play above ur bankroll (apparently) and with zero concentration? be careful with this selfgratifying behaviour when your important income is on the line. play below ur limit if anything. realise what ur doing is purely recreational. personaly i do the same but with $1 sngs.

i said slightly higher, it's standard shot taking. not like i'm loading up 9 tables of it, it's cool.
and "above bankroll" isnt really that risky if you follow a 100 BI rule
i would never 1-table below my limit are you insane? how boring would that be

have a child lol

On August 30 2010 15:52 Stygg wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 15:39 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:15 Stygg wrote: when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something. Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube. so u play above ur bankroll (apparently) and with zero concentration? be careful with this selfgratifying behaviour when your important income is on the line. play below ur limit if anything. realise what ur doing is purely recreational. personaly i do the same but with $1 sngs. i said slightly higher, it's standard shot taking. not like i'm loading up 9 tables of it, it's cool. and "above bankroll" isnt really that risky if you follow a 100 BI rule i would never 1-table below my limit are you insane? how boring would that be

standard shot taking? for a start its not standard shot taking to be watching a fucking movie when you do it. it doesnt matter how many tables you have open, your BB100 is affected the same ratio whether your playing 1 table or 100. you would never play lower than your limit but you would play (a limit above) whilst watching a movie? and i'm supposed to be the insane one? my logic is sound, your logic is "its boring!". L2P

On August 30 2010 16:14 Perisie wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 15:52 Stygg wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:39 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:15 Stygg wrote: when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something. Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube. so u play above ur bankroll (apparently) and with zero concentration? be careful with this selfgratifying behaviour when your important income is on the line. play below ur limit if anything. realise what ur doing is purely recreational. personaly i do the same but with $1 sngs. i said slightly higher, it's standard shot taking. not like i'm loading up 9 tables of it, it's cool. and "above bankroll" isnt really that risky if you follow a 100 BI rule i would never 1-table below my limit are you insane? how boring would that be standard shot taking? for a start its not standard shot taking to be watching a fucking movie when you do it. it doesnt matter how many tables you have open, your BB100 is affected the same ratio whether your playing 1 table or 100. you would never play lower than your limit but you would play (a limit above) whilst watching a movie? and i'm supposed to be the insane one? my logic is sound, your logic is "its boring!". L2P

not like im following the movie 95% and devoting 5% of my brain power to the poker table, ppl can multi task you know -_- you'll be surprised to hear all the things poker players do while grinding. i think 1 movie and 1 table is well within my abilities to do well. while i appreciate your concern for my poker career, my post was directed to OP and was a suggestion i have personally found to work well.

Watching a movie and playing one table is even boring if you ask me, you can EASILY play 4 tables and watch a movie, and whenever i do i dont feel i'm losing focus.

On August 30 2010 16:22 Stygg wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 16:14 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:52 Stygg wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:39 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 15:15 Stygg wrote: when I feel like this, I usually just 1-table at a slightly higher limit than I normally play, and always while doing something else, maybe watching a movie or reading something. Or watch old HSP episodes or other poker clips on youtube/pokertube. so u play above ur bankroll (apparently) and with zero concentration? be careful with this selfgratifying behaviour when your important income is on the line. play below ur limit if anything. realise what ur doing is purely recreational. personaly i do the same but with $1 sngs. i said slightly higher, it's standard shot taking. not like i'm loading up 9 tables of it, it's cool. and "above bankroll" isnt really that risky if you follow a 100 BI rule i would never 1-table below my limit are you insane? how boring would that be standard shot taking? for a start its not standard shot taking to be watching a fucking movie when you do it. it doesnt matter how many tables you have open, your BB100 is affected the same ratio whether your playing 1 table or 100. you would never play lower than your limit but you would play (a limit above) whilst watching a movie? and i'm supposed to be the insane one? my logic is sound, your logic is "its boring!". L2P not like im following the movie 95% and devoting 5% of my brain power to the poker table, ppl can multi task you know -_- you'll be surprised to hear all the things poker players do while grinding. i think 1 movie and 1 table is well within my abilities to do well. while i appreciate your concern for my poker career, my post was directed to OP and was a suggestion i have personally found to work well.

it may be that you're a seasoned and skilled player but if that is the case and you are able to successfully to play out of your roll whilst watching a movie i still find it incredulously irresponsible to reccommend such a thing to someone else