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What makes a winning tournament player? A winner must
be multifaceted, a composite of many qualities. She
must be mathematical, with a comprehensive grasp of
probability theory. She must be strategic, with a sound
comprehension of game theory. She must have a deep understanding
of her opponents’ psychology as well her own.
She must be perceptive, with the ability to read her
opponents and interpret their every move and body posture
to determine what they’re holding. But what was
dramatically brought home to me recently is the importance
of ‘focus’ to successful play.
Lately, the life of a tournament pro has become pretty
hectic. There are $10k tournaments just about every
other week and they are all over the country. This means
the regular circuit pro is traveling around the country
several times a month, which eventually takes its toll.
The average pro is tired and busy—particularly
if they have anything else going on in their lives besides
poker. But whatever the demands of the road are, pros
have to sit down when they enter a tournament and play
a focused game, no matter how road-weary they feel.
Imagine adding to the life of the average pro the demands
of raising four children, all under nine. Imagine as
well adding a full-time consulting position with UltimateBet.com
and writing a book at the same time. I’m tired.
Despite my fatigue, I managed to stay very focused
during the World Poker Tour event at Foxwoods and came
in ninth. I was pleased, but once I got back home to
Portland, I wanted to stay—and I wanted to stay
badly. I really love the Christmas season and wanted
to hang out by my Christmas tree, cuddling with the
four people who make my life completely fulfilled and
worthwhile: my children.
But duty called, and I showed up at the Five Diamond
Poker Classic at the Bellagio on December 14th to play
their $15k championship event. I was just getting over
a cold, I was missing my kids, I was missing my Christmas
tree, and, frankly, I was sick of traveling. I wanted
to be home and, when I sat down that first day of the
tournament, I played just how you would expect from
someone whose mind was on other things; I made sure
I was going to get home as soon as possible by playing
the most unfocused poker of my life.
When I got knocked out at the end of the first day,
I was happy; happy I would be getting home early. I
called my kids that night and excitedly told them I
would be back home the next day. Now, if my reaction
was one of elation at being knocked out of a $15k tournament,
I should never have played, because there was no possibility
I was going to play anything other than terrible poker.
Mind you, I am not making an excuse for bad play; I
knew I was feeling lousy before I ever plunked down
my $15k. I told all my friends that I was tired . .
. that I wanted to be home with my kids . . .that I
was excited about Christmas. But having committed to
entering, I had no business playing so poorly and unfocused.
Part of being a true professional is to overcome issues
like these.
Poker teaches a lot of life lessons. It is one of the
things I love most about this game I play for a living.
I learned an important lesson at the Bellagio. Sometimes
it is good to be a little less driven and listen to
what your psyche is telling you. If you feel you need
a break, take one. A short mental vacation can only
improve your game, and it can only improve your life
to sit and listen to what that inner voice tells you.
As for me, I would have saved $15k if I had listened
to what I was saying to my friends on December 14th.
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