Good Poker Habits: Time Management
Plan your session length ahead of time. Take frequent breaks.
Deciding how long you play before you begin will help you develop the discipline necessary to be a winning player. Many players, even the most experienced ones, have a tendency to play longer if they lose money in an effort to win it back. This extended play time spent “chasing” often leads to tilt and further losses. By setting a time limit for your poker session, you can walk away regardless of the results and ensure that you will be fresh when you return to the game another day.
Set session limits using a timer to ensure that you take breaks. One ten minute break every hour is a good recommendation if you are a multi-tabler. During your break, make sure to walk away from your computer, stretch, and give your eyes a break by looking at something far away. Go outside if you can. Drink some water to calm the nerves, which are often high-strung during poker sessions.
It is also important to set daily limits to guard yourself against burn out. Over time you will learn how much poker fits into your life. Playing too much will have a negative effect on both your win rate as well as your life beyond poker. Be honest with yourself and set a daily poker maximum to ensure that you keep your life balanced. Pay attention to how much poker you can play while maintaining your ability to concentrate and make clear, focused, decisions. As soon as you see these capacities falter, you know you are exceeding you optimum game time. Properly managing your poker time will help you win more in the long run.
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