Previous part of the book “Mental Game of Poker”: Strategic reminder, repetition as needed, game termination
4.2 Final Problem Resolution
When the flaws that cause psychological game problems are corrected/trained to the level of unconscious competence, you then acquire the right mindset to play poker. The right mindset becomes as automatic as other technical poker skills that have reached the same level. Now, even under very high emotional pressure, with minimal effort, you will be able to remain calm.
Final problem resolution means that the emotion associated with a particular psychological problem disappears. You no longer need to think about how to better handle bad beats because you do it automatically, and the bad beat itself does not cause anger. Solving your psychological game problems will make you play better, earn more money, and have more prospects in poker. You will also gain these benefits:
- An unburdened mind allows for better concentration. Persistent psychological game problems reduce your ability to concentrate, even when those problems are not felt at the moment. Such problems are very similar to a computer program running in the background that you are not using on your desktop. They only use your energy, which is needed to concentrate on playing quality poker. Final problem resolution frees up your mental resources, which you can use to concentrate at the poker table, allowing you to play at a higher level, longer sessions, and more tables at once.
- The “Worm” concept illustrates how the best you can become even better. Most elite players have eliminated most of their psychological game problems (such as tilt) and therefore can devote even more time to constantly improving their poker skills.
A simple example of solving such psychological problems from life:
Suppose you are angry at a friend who acted like a jerk the last time you saw each other. Also, suppose you see him a few times a week but have been silent about being angry with him for a month. During that time, the anger builds up, and there is clear tension between you. This does not mean that you cannot have a good time together, but things are not as good as they used to be. Finally, after a good month, you mention the problem to him. However, he barely remembers the situation, gets offended, and denies that it could have happened. Both of you get heated and decide to take a break to regain clear thinking (essentially inserting logic). You come back, he apologizes, you clear things up, and agree not to let unspoken things linger for so long. If the problem is truly resolved, it means there will be no more anger for the same reason between you (however, this does not mean there will be no anger at all between you).
Neither bad beats nor mistakes cause any emotions when complete problem elimination occurs. Inserted logic or another emotion control strategy becomes unnecessary because the emotion is gone. The trigger is there, but it is inactive.
Final problem resolution does not happen quickly. It takes experience, constant repetition, and concentration to change an old habit and make the new one work automatically. Players often believe too quickly that they have solved the problem but revert to old habits when faced with high pressure. You need to be prepared for this and expect it. In reality, it is very difficult to say when a problem is finally resolved. Every time you face pressure, use that opportunity to assess what has been learned to the level of unconscious competence and what still needs improvement.
As you move towards final problem resolution, add the following strategies described below to the strategies you are already using to manage problems in the short term.
4.2.1 5-Step Protocol
The traditional approach to psychological game problems tends to look at the problem itself and immediately move to solve it without delving into why the problem occurs. Without understanding why the problem exists at all, it is impossible to create an effective solution to that problem. A superficial understanding will never solve the problem because it is not clearly identified.
To permanently solve a psychological problem, it is necessary to get to the root of the problem, understand the logical causes of the problem, and understand why that logic is flawed. Only then can a solution be applied to the problem that is not random and does not act as a placebo.
To permanently solve psychological problems, use the 5-step protocol described below. Players send me information filled out according to the protocol for review, just as they would send played hands (hand history). Since you do not have the opportunity to communicate with me directly, I provide a detailed analysis of each step so that you can identify the causes of your problems and correct them yourself.
Be sure to write down your answers; otherwise, you will overload your head with information and will not be able to delve deeper into your flawed logic to find a solution to the problem. These answers can be given in just a few or even one simple sentence. All players are different, so do what seems most appropriate to you. In general, the more detailed the answers, the better.
Many players use this protocol to identify and eliminate technical game flaws as well. The following steps will help you forget old habits and replace them with new ones.
- Describe the problem. Write down everything you would tell me if I directly asked you to describe your psychological game problem. It could be something like: “I start to tilt when a fish sucks out against me” or “if I am winning and doing well, I start playing too many hands.”
- What is the logical sense of such a reaction, thinking, or feeling? It may seem that the question contradicts common sense, especially if the problem described in the first point is completely illogical and irrational. But it is not. Psychological game problems always occur for some logical reason and usually consist of several levels/layers. If you identify more than one reason while performing this step, then perform the following steps for each reason separately.
The logical reason for the previously given example, which causes you to tilt every time a fish sucks out, is the belief that you will win every time you play against a bad player. And the reason for starting to play too many hands is overconfidence, thinking that everything is simple and that whatever you do, you will still win. The logical explanation behind these reasons makes sense, but it still needs to be addressed.
- Why is this a logical flaw? Avoid template answers to this question unless you are sure that such answers are suitable for you. The exact answer is critically important. Also, since there is more than one reason for your flawed logic, do not assume that you know all those reasons. The information provided in the chapters of this book will help you understand.
Negative emotion always has a predictable cause and cannot be considered flawed. The clear logical flaw in the example given in the first step is ignoring the reality of poker. No one can always win against a fish regardless of how well they play. In other words, you think you have more control over the results than you actually do. For some players, this level of control is a fantasy they wish would become reality. When it turns out that such a desire is unrealistic, you react with great anger. Or conversely, when it turns out to be realistic, you experience great confidence. This illusion of control over results is an example of a flaw that is not easily noticeable. If you do not correct it, you cannot expect complete problem resolution.
- How to behave properly in such a situation? Considering points 2 and 3, this step provides a simple way to correct the deeply rooted causes of your psychological game problems. When providing an answer, be sure to use positive language.
If you were to skip points 2 and 3 while examining the previously given examples, you would likely come up with explanations similar to these: “Bad beats happen, just don't worry too much about them” or “I am probably doing very well right now; don't pay attention to how much I am winning.”
That is a fairly good response related to your flawed reaction to variation, but it does not explain the mentioned excessive sense of control. Therefore, add a statement that removes the illusion of control, for example: “I cannot control the cards; I can only control how well I play and how well I respond to situations” or “If I start playing too many hands while winning, it means I have lost control of the game.”
- Why is this problem-solving approach correct? This question identifies the logical explanation and justifies why the answer to step 4 is correct. In some cases, this step may be unnecessary. However, in any case, repetition helps learning and adds additional clarity to problem-solving.
In the provided examples, the logical justification would be: “Control in poker comes through my decisions and how I handle what happens at the table. If I want to play profitably, then in the long run, bad beats have to happen because without them the whole game would fundamentally change.” Or “If I start playing too many hands while winning, it means I believe I can continue winning regardless of how I play. This, of course, is not true because variation exists in poker. Therefore, I must force myself to play well and not think that I am a poker god.”
Ultimately, fully solving the problem means that steps 4 and 5 are learned to the level of unconscious competence. To achieve this level, use the process model, embedded logic, additional tactics mentioned in this section, and anything else you find appropriate. Steps 3, 4, and 5 can be used as psychological game goals before each session. For example, “I will understand how a fish's short-term win will benefit me in the long run” or “I will maintain a solid strategy regardless of whether I am winning or losing.” What you write in steps 3, 4, and 5 can be used as statements for embedded logic.
Also, keep in mind that as you learn more details about a particular problem, you will occasionally need to return to these 5 steps.
The Psychological Side of Poker Mistakes
Intense emotions block learning and prevent core skills from being trained to the level of unconscious competence. As a result, players can make exceptionally bad decisions while playing poker. These decisions are incredibly bad and uncharacteristic of good players, but they happen because players are in a deep tilt. Such decisions are also known as a “Mike Matusow Blow Up.”
Emotions related to the psychological problem of the game, when they start blocking the game, create a wide qualitative range of decisions made by the player. Solving the problem removes the emotion, allowing the player to think clearly, and their game steadily improves.
