Until now, we have examined all aspects of the mind from top to bottom, but we have not analyzed the actual poker playing experience. So, let's lift the veil of a real poker session and think about what we actually experience when playing poker. In this article, we will discuss a few simple and practical tips to help you prepare for a session.
Remember, a session always starts before you sit down to play. Before you play your first hand or even load the table, you must subconsciously agree to two things: first, that you will play at this moment, and second, that you will play with the mental state you are in. These two factors greatly influence your EV. Therefore, you should experiment with what time and mental state you tend to play your best.
Also, consider your daily routine leading up to the start of the session. Did you exercise, eat, or meditate? All these elements have a positive impact on your mental state and brain function, so after them, it's definitely a good time to start playing poker. Playing right after waking up or watching TV can be a very bad idea. Try to schedule your sessions at optimal times, followed by stress-reducing activities to help you “cool down.”
And yet, your session does not start until you finish your pre-session rituals. These are the things you do right before the session to calm your mind. This can be light stretching or breathing exercises, visualization, reviewing poker hands, repeating a mantra, revising your goals, listening to motivating music, and so on. It is not particularly important to do all the actions listed here, but we would advise experimenting with each to find what works for you and use at least one. If you consistently use these rituals before you start playing, you will put yourself in a state of special concentration (a la Pavlovian conditioning/classical conditioning). You will also be able to stay focused and not get distracted.
