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

On August 30 2010 16:39 Perisie wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 16:22 Stygg wrote:   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

dude it's 1 table. it's poker. ppl take shots. they don't play $1 sng's when they're bored and want to get the poker feel back.
can we pls stop discussing this bs now, it's my suggestion to OP, he can take it or dismiss it. if you must keep discussing, why not create a thread in general forum, you seem to be good at that

This is the natural progression for most people, once poker becomes a task and moving up the limits/ money is no longer that important you wont have motivation. Its like saying gee Ive worked at a cubicle doing paperwork for 2 years and I cant seem to get motivated doing it any longer now.

I think playing poker for years is like a marriage in the sense that if you want to keep it going, you have to recognize that your reasons will change over time. You'll have to find your own motivation, but it may help to recognize that if you're trying to get yourself to play by conjuring up exactly the same feeling about poker that you used to have, then you're doing it wrong.

On August 30 2010 15:48 RaSZi wrote: you dont like poker and you dont feel like playing. Hmm sick dilemma.

Where did I say I didn't like poker?

Europeanshavenoreadingcomprehension.jpg

i have the same problem ever since I stopped caring about the money, I lost almost all motivation to play poker..

maybe try spending more money on stuff that makes you happy? so it increases your need/want for money.

aim at maybe at a promotion or something? stuff like SN and/or SNE seems to be a decent motivator for lots of PS grinders. iron man on FTP is another motivator although the bonuses from it suck.

theres no quick fix to laziness.

On August 30 2010 16:51 Stygg wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 16:39 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 16:22 Stygg wrote:   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 dude it's 1 table. it's poker. ppl take shots. they don't play $1 sng's when they're bored and want to get the poker feel back. can we pls stop discussing this bs now, it's my suggestion to OP, he can take it or dismiss it. if you must keep discussing, why not create a thread in general forum, you seem to be good at that

"theres no quick fix to laziness" guy below pretty much gave me the best way to reply to u. i hope u take it to heart. ill write it out again if u didnt catch it the first time. "theres no quick fix to laziness".

THERE'S NO

QUICK FIX

TO

LAZINESS

are you dumb or something? how is it laziness to take the occasional shot at a slightly higher limit? we cant all play your shitty $1 SNGs, that's certainly no quick fix either

learn to play the violin

I've got a good idea. You need to wank maybe 3 times a day right? You don;t do shit else in your life so I'm assuming needing to wank 3 times is standard for you. It's probably four times, but we can work up to that. You know busy people never wank? They just don't need to. What you need is to become a busy person. The less you need to wank, the more you can play poker. Ever had those shitty boring sessions where after 20 minutes you need to sit out and wank? Its because you're not challenging yourself enough. I recommend playing at least one level above your standard stake, but also at the same time you need to watch a movie. Movies take a lot of concentration to watch and if you talk to a busy guy who watches 10 movies per day he'll tell you that he really doesn't have time for wanking or for anything else. So it's my recommendation that you watch a movie while you play poker - cut down to 1 or 2 tables so you can really focus on the movie. You'll feel more busy, stop wanking as much, and still get good results in your poker. Just be careful that you don't watch sexy american films. That can mess up your poker, concentration AND your wanking.

On August 30 2010 18:34 Perisie wrote: Show nested quote + On August 30 2010 16:51 Stygg wrote:   On August 30 2010 16:39 Perisie wrote:   On August 30 2010 16:22 Stygg wrote:   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 dude it's 1 table. it's poker. ppl take shots. they don't play $1 sng's when they're bored and want to get the poker feel back. can we pls stop discussing this bs now, it's my suggestion to OP, he can take it or dismiss it. if you must keep discussing, why not create a thread in general forum, you seem to be good at that "theres no quick fix to laziness" guy below pretty much gave me the best way to reply to u. i hope u take it to heart. ill write it out again if u didnt catch it the first time. "theres no quick fix to laziness".

no idea how what i said applies to stygg lol.

i actually have the same prob as OP, normally when i got a decent money in the bank, like 6 months of bills paid or w/e, i just dont wanna play anymore.. honestly what i do these days is just go drink alot and spend all my money, and *poof* im back on the tables and lol..

but i can admit i dont like poker anymore, its a way to pay bills, its not my passion

Stygg is nice and smart. I don't watch movies while playing poker but the general idea seams sound.

get on a plane somewhere and fuck bitches

watch ESPN 60 Four Days With Phil Ivey

but caution.. may induce degeneracy

dont force it, if you dont feel like playing, then dont

On August 30 2010 19:19 Perisie wrote: I've got a good idea. You need to wank maybe 3 times a day right? You don;t do shit else in your life so I'm assuming needing to wank 3 times is standard for you. It's probably four times, but we can work up to that. You know busy people never wank? They just don't need to. What you need is to become a busy person. The less you need to wank, the more you can play poker. Ever had those shitty boring sessions where after 20 minutes you need to sit out and wank? Its because you're not challenging yourself enough. I recommend playing at least one level above your standard stake, but also at the same time you need to watch a movie. Movies take a lot of concentration to watch and if you talk to a busy guy who watches 10 movies per day he'll tell you that he really doesn't have time for wanking or for anything else. So it's my recommendation that you watch a movie while you play poker - cut down to 1 or 2 tables so you can really focus on the movie. You'll feel more busy, stop wanking as much, and still get good results in your poker. Just be careful that you don't watch sexy american films. That can mess up your poker, concentration AND your wanking.

WTF????

On August 30 2010 18:40 Perisie wrote: THERE'S NO QUICK FIX TO LAZINESS

This - turns out, when no one forces / pressures you do do something - most people end up doing nothing. It's why many work places have asshole bosses, you work to keep this asshole off your back. Furthermore a lot of you (including myself) don't really need money now, my life expences are almost non existant - but you work hard / put in the hours now so you have more comfortable future / freedom.

long term goal is what you need? e.g house? go for it start by pointing out the goals which are related to poker/money and go for it... let says make a goal save 10K a month

--- Nuked ---

your problem is that you have no ambition that currently relate to poker, if you had you would be motivated. there's nothing you can do, you don't force ambitions, you don't perform by wanting to perform, it simply doesn't work. if you have ambitions non-related to poker then just pursue that. if you have no ambitions at all then try to figure out what you really like in life and it'll come by itself. i'm in the same boat and it's why i don't currently play. it's kind of a shame to shit on a really good hourly rate just because we're not motivated to do something, but poker isn't going anywhere anyway.

On August 31 2010 05:37 Loco wrote: your problem is that you have no ambition that currently relate to poker, if you had you would be motivated. there's nothing you can do, you don't force ambitions, you don't perform by wanting to perform, it simply doesn't work. if you have ambitions non-related to poker then just pursue that. if you have no ambitions at all then try to figure out what you really like in life and it'll come by itself. i'm in the same boat and it's why i don't currently play. it's kind of a shame to shit on a really good hourly rate just because we're not motivated to do something, but poker isn't going anywhere anyway.

this is how i feel >_<

When I stare into the eyes of Antonius it's like I'm staring into the eyes of God.

go on a really big downswing, that should motivate you

for every hour you dont play poker now, you will spend 5 times more, working on a job you hate after 10 years. think about this

ask yourself why you play.

is perisie just a huge troll or what?

i get motivated when i tell myself that i'm going to play good today and win some money

Sounds like you have too much money. Go spend some, then look at your bank account for motivation.

perisie is so fucking wierd

if you play a donkament while you grind you have to grind til you bust out

haha

I find waking up in the morning instead of the afternoon gets my fired up and ready to play much more than otherwise.

On August 30 2010 15:48 RaSZi wrote: you dont like poker and you dont feel like playing. Hmm sick dilemma.

hahahaha i couldn't help but laugh :D

You can temporarily generate motivation by running propbets with friends based on volume and/or profit over small periods of time. If it's over a longer period of time someone will probably get really far behind and give up. It actually works pretty well if you have a competitive nature, regardless of how much you put up.

Q: How to get motivated to play?

A: become poor

On September 23 2010 06:28 edzwoo wrote: You can temporarily generate motivation by running propbets with friends based on volume and/or profit over small periods of time. If it's over a longer period of time someone will probably get really far behind and give up. It actually works pretty well if you have a competitive nature, regardless of how much you put up.

GENIUS.
totally forgot how well this shit works. need motivation right now too. Rush is gonna get a nice br fucking the next few weeks.

i was thinking of having a propbet for volume amongst other players(300 each or more then loser doesnt get his money back etc). might help with hand volume woes. havent played this month 35k hands only, breakeven total this month meh

On September 23 2010 14:43 tloapc wrote: Q: How to get motivated to play? A: become poor

Basically sums it up.

look at boob thread and see what money can potentially get you - well potentially

tldr, smoke weed + listen to music = success!

On September 23 2010 14:43 tloapc wrote: Q: How to get motivated to play? A: become poor

if you are really ego driven this doesn't apply but ya otherwise 100% spot on

eh, i just stop being a whiney little bitch and be extremely grateful for what i've been given and DO WORK.

shit getting paid a nice hourly ain't so bad...

pick an expensive addiction boom u become a god of poker.

personally i prefer the hooookers.

seirously tho, being really poor helped me alot.