Staying motivated can be challenging for poker players. Logging into your online poker account or heading to your local cardroom seems easy when things are going your way, but not so much when your chips are down. A lack of motivation can rear its head for various reasons, not limited to enduring a downswing, finding yourself stuck at a particular buy-in level, or just feeling ground down from playing poker for long hour.
Maintaining the motivation to continue playing poker requires more than being passionate about this crazy game. Thankfully, 888poker recently published an article on its blog that shows six tips for keeping your motivation levels sky-high. Here are those hacks.
Be Purpose Driven
Understanding why you play poker can help you stay motivated. People play poker for many reasons, such as potentially winning money, loving the mental aspect of the game, or having a competitive streak that makes them want to take on other players. Have you ever asked yourself why you play poker?
Playing poker just because you have 30 minutes of spare time or just for the sake of playing is all well and good, but it can be a challenge to motivate you to bring your A-Game to the table. Once you have decided why you play poker, it is time to set some goals for yourself.
Set Motivating Goals For Yourself
Many people set goals on a personal or professional level, and poker players are no different. Having an end goal can keep you focused on the task at hand or spur you on to play when your motivation levels are low. Your poker goals must be SMART, an acronym for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
A goal such as “get better at cash games” is too vague. Being SMART about that goal would be like saying, “Study starting hand charts or run at least ten hands through GTO Wizard for an hour for the next two weeks to help nail down my preflop strategy.”
You can use SMART goals to break down seemingly overwhelming goals into more manageable, bite-sized tasks. They promote small wins, which build confidence and momentum in themselves.
Gamify the Daily Grind
Gamification is everywhere. It involves applying game-like factors to everyday tasks to help make them feel less mundane. Companies reward customers with points, badges, and other collectables. You can use some gamification elements to help keep your motivation levels high.
888poker suggests gamifying your poker sessions by rewarding yourself with a treat after hitting specific milestones, such as each time you play 5,000 hands or complete 10 hours of studying.
Create a Structured Routine
A lack of a structured routine can lead to waning motivation because you lack direction. Making poker part of your daily or weekly schedule makes it easier to stay committed without solely relying on willpower.
Creating a routine that includes mental preparation, review sessions, studying new concepts, and, of course, playing cash games or tournaments, gives you some structure and helps keep you focused on your end goals.
Consistency is the key here because your poker skills develop over time. Instead of approaching the game in fits and starts, try to keep to a consistent schedule, even if that schedule only allows 30 minutes of studying or playing, because he will help you to make steady progress.
Manage Your Energy Effectively
Many recreational poker players hit the tables after a long day at work, meaning they play or study poker when their energy levels are low. Working a nine-to-five and trying to improve at poker is mentally demanding. Studying and playing will be ineffective if you are tired.
The 888poker blog states that the first step to managing your energy is to recognize the signs of low energy or burnout. These differ for each person but tend to include getting easily frustrated, disengaging from the action, or feeling mentally foggy during tough decisions. It is time to take a break if these factors enter your game.
888poker suggests using the Pomodoro Technique, which I use while writing articles for PokerNews. You work hard for 25 minutes, take a short five-minute break, and return to work for 25 minutes. You then take a 15-20 minute break once you have completed four cycles, which refreshes and restores your energy levels and can improve focus.
Surround Yourself With Likeminded People
Last but not least, you should try to surround yourself with like-minded people who share your passion for poker. These people will provide a support network that you can lean on during challenging times, such as enduring a downswing or hitting a plateau.
Discussing hands and scenarios with a group of your fellow poker players can help you spot leaks and mistakes that you originally missed. Joining the 888poker Discord channel or regularly getting together with poker-playing friends and studying together can be massively beneficial.
Senior Editor
