Tourney Consistent Anxiety During Live Play (1 Viewer)

[iamniko]

Hi Guys. I started playing live games, I played years ago but don’t remember it being so bad. I have this constant hi level anxiety and not sure how to kick it. Online it’s not a problem. But it clouds my judgments. I was thinking maybe it’s like when you first drive a car. Maybe just need to play more live games and it will fade away. Anyone deal with this?

Thanks

 

[Eriks]

Red wine works for me

 

[upNdown]

Doug Polk dealt with it by retiring. But he seems to be easing back into it some, now.
Aside from suggesting substances, I have no idea. But good luck with it

 

[moechar]

@FordPickup92 ?

 

[Frogzilla]

I don’t get anxious playing poker but if I did, I would just simply not play poker. The game reduces my anxiety and stress, that’s the whole point

Lower stakes maybe?

 

[LeLe]

I think it should go away after a few live sessions

It just a First timer effect, like how most of us get nervous when giving our first PowerPoint slide presentation or going out on our first date

Or you just playing with a group of Sharks that making you super nervous

 

[Rieguy]

Hello Niko! Are you anxious while simply sitting at the table and engaging or is it only during hands that you are involved in? Is the game made up of friends, strangers, or a mix? Does anxiety affect you outside of poker regularly?

 

[Highli99]

Sounds like you have the degen tingles. I crave that feeling. As long as you are playing stakes compatable with your means, it’s just a physiological reaction. Try breathing exercises and go for a walk. Then, get comfortable with variance and enjoy the ride.

 

[colter ripton]

Only remedy is to play more. I've played in casinos for years but if I haven't played for a while I still get a little nervous. When I first started I was really anxious. It's just like anything else though, the more you do it the more comfortable you will get with it.

 

[JMC9389]

It's nerve wracking to play with a new group of people, but usually by the 2nd or 3rd session it gets better as you get to know the people you're playing with.

What do you think is the source of anxiety? Are you afraid of making a mistake and punting your stack and looking like a donkey, or are you afraid of losing the money? If it's the latter then maybe go down in stakes a bit? If it's the former, well, I have bad news for you. Even the best look like spewing donkeys at times. Especially if it's a game among friends, take it in stride and try to laugh it off and at yourself, and study and be better next time.

Unless you're doing this for a living, poker is supposed to be fun, remember that!

 

[FordPickup92]

So I used to have incredible anxiety when playing. And I still do especially in big spots where I could possibly get caught on a bluff. I tend to have petty bad shakes in the hands, and I've had someone point out my pulse is beyond evident in the major veins in my neck.
I've found a few things help...
Having a beer every few hours along with my chewing tobacco (both personal crutches outside the poker table)
But more than anything I've found playing in a game with a really good, solid group of players that you'd be comfortable hanging out on the couch with or going to the movies. As well as playing some games that are maybe below your level (you begin to feel boredom) or lesser stakes.
All in all the biggest advice would be time combined with the last two things. I found personally when I got bored in a game I'd never get nervous or anxious. Which actually was bad, because I'd make loose or poor calls due to not paying attention.
I do believe some anxiety is a good thing, helps keep you on your toes. In your case it is too much, and I really think you need a game that is lower stakes/softer players to help you shake off the dust and feel more comfortable with your own play

 

[JMC9389]

So I used to have incredible anxiety when playing. And I still do especially in big spots where I could possibly get caught on a bluff. I tend to have petty bad shakes in the hands, and I've had someone point out my pulse is beyond evident in the major veins in my neck.
I've found a few things help...
Having a beer every few hours along with my chewing tobacco (both personal crutches outside the poker table)
But more than anything I've found playing in a game with a really good, solid group of players that you'd be comfortable hanging out on the couch with or going to the movies. As well as playing some games that are maybe below your level (you begin to feel boredom) or lesser stakes.
All in all the biggest advice would be time combined with the last two things. I found personally when I got bored in a game I'd never get nervous or anxious. Which actually was bad, because I'd make loose or poor calls due to not paying attention.
I do believe some anxiety is a good thing, helps keep you on your toes. In your case it is too much, and I really think you need a game that is lower stakes/softer players to help you shake off the dust and feel more comfortable with your own play

*takes notes for JIJ in June*

....just kidding! I'll call off like a donkey no matter what whether you have it or not lol

 

[FordPickup92]

*takes notes for JIJ in June*

....just kidding! I'll call off like a donkey no matter what whether you have it or not lol

I've learned to control it lol

 

[iamniko]

Hello Niko! Are you anxious while simply sitting at the table and engaging or is it only during hands that you are involved in? Is the game made up of friends, strangers, or a mix? Does anxiety affect you outside of poker regularly?

Hi. Thanks yeah it’s generally a cloud that pops on top of me yeah during cash games and tournaments usually no friends are there. Don’t have anxiety like this anywhere else just when I sit at the table. It’s really strange. Yeah just sitting at table. Playing hands bigger hands worse anxiety

 

[MrCatPants]

Hi. Thanks yeah it’s generally a cloud that pops on top of me yeah during cash games and tournaments usually no friends are there. Don’t have anxiety like this anywhere else just when I sit at the table. It’s really strange. Yeah just sitting at table. Playing hands bigger hands worse anxiety

Does it fade over time at a table?

I used to have the shakes really bad when not playing frequently outside of home games, whenever I would go to a casino or card room. Part of it was the increased stakes and part of it was the unfamiliar environment - not knowing house rules and norms (like opening sizes). Observing over a few hands helped a great deal.

I started folding out anything but super premiums the first two orbits just to get settled in. And now that I have played more in these environments I don't get the shakes when first sitting down anymore.

(side funny story - the first time I tried this strategy, the very first hand I picked up AA, and it was a 3-bet to me on the button. "Well, shit" I think, so I made the shakiest hand 4 bet I've ever seen, and still got two callers. Flop comes A-K-rag. Checks to me, and I make a smaller sized C-bet but literally spill the chips on the table I was shaking so bad. Talk about a tell. Two quick folds from there.)

 

[Easylife]

I used to get uncontrollable shakes (possibly still do, not played much last couple of years) a lot live as well. My saving grace was I got them on monster hands and monster bluffs, fine with everything in between. The player's I played against on a more regular basis could still never tell what I had, just that it was either the absolute nuts or 9 high at best. Nothing to do with what stakes I was playing. Funny thing was it would happen in £500 buy in tourneys but same thing happened in a £5 buy in tourney down the pub.

 

[Easylife]

Forgot to mention that the only thing that seems to stop this is getting very very drunk, but then I just become really obnoxious and then play really badly. Fun times, do not try this cure!

 

[Welshman]

Does it fade over time at a table?

I used to have the shakes really bad when not playing frequently outside of home games, whenever I would go to a casino or card room. Part of it was the increased stakes and part of it was the unfamiliar environment - not knowing house rules and norms (like opening sizes). Observing over a few hands helped a great deal.

I started folding out anything but super premiums the first two orbits just to get settled in. And now that I have played more in these environments I don't get the shakes when first sitting down anymore.

(side funny story - the first time I tried this strategy, the very first hand I picked up AA, and it was a 3-bet to me on the button. "Well, shit" I think, so I made the shakiest hand 4 bet I've ever seen, and still got two callers. Flop comes A-K-rag. Checks to me, and I make a smaller sized C-bet but literally spill the chips on the table I was shaking so bad. Talk about a tell. Two quick folds from there.)

The first tournament I ever played in (18 years ago) I some how ended up heads up with a guy who had played a lot more than I had. It wasn’t for much money. He had a big chip lead on me. My right hand was shaking so bad I had to put it under the table and look at my cards and move chips with my left hand. It was like I was having tremors in it and it was cramped up.
I had played cash games and never had a problem. Even almost 20 years later I get more wound up when it’s a tournament. And our tournaments are at cheeseburger stakes. I think it has more to do with the competition aspect than it does the money.