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Frame of mind needed for MTT play?

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  1. James Wilson James Wilson is offline

    NJ
    United States

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    Joined: Feb 09

    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 2:26pm)

    Just as the title reads. What type of mind set is essential for MTT players to have to be successful?
  2. JoGentleman JoGentleman is offline

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 2:48pm) in reply to James Wilson

    Don't judge yourself on the $ you make, try and focus on your plays and timing alone.

    It's all about long term. You can bink a big score if you get lucky but this doesn't mean you are a good player. You can fail for a very long time, this doens't mean you are a bad player.

    Try to focus on improving and your decision making. That's all you can do and try to keep this in mind.
     
  3. dhubermex dhubermex is offline Senior Writer

    Mexico

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 2:52pm) in reply to James Wilson

    I think in a lot of cases it comes down to wanting it more, and putting in the time to improve weaknesses instead of focusing on other things.

    I've noticed a few traits that are common among the superstars that have been on the podcast. They seem to have a greater overall acceptance of variables they can't control, combined with an enormous desire to be among the very best compared to their peers.

    The variance of poker gradually chisels away at the confidence of most players. However, the top dogs (or at least some of the players I've had the privilege to talk to and interview) have a knack for coming out of bad runs as better, more focused players. They occasionally gripe about the swongs just like any poker player, but more than ANYTHING else they hate losing... and are willing to put in a prodigious amount of effort to positively affect the variables they do have control over.
     
  4. James Wilson James Wilson is offline

    NJ
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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 2:53pm) in reply to JoGentleman

    This is true Jo, but what about getting suck out on time and time again? How do you judge yourself then? How do grinders get suck out on in one tourney and keep playing other tourneies that same day? I get sucked out on and I'm pissed and tilt like a motherfucker and can't play again for atleast a day.
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  5. Senescent Senescent is offline

    Iowa City, IA
    United States

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 2:58pm) in reply to James Wilson

     
    Originally Posted by James Wilson View Post

    This is true Jo, but what about getting suck out on time and time again? How do you judge yourself then? How do grinders get suck out on in one tourney and keep playing other tourneies that same day? I get sucked out on and I'm pissed and tilt like a motherfucker and can't play again for atleast a day.

    No need to get upset about something you can't control (getting sucked out on) and don't beat yourself up if you make a bad play, just adjust and keep grinding.

    tl;dnr? cliffnotes:
  6. James Wilson James Wilson is offline

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 3:00pm) in reply to Senescent

    ^^^Pic made me LOL!!!
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  7. dgillis dgillis is offline Moderator

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 3:11pm) in reply to James Wilson

     
    Originally Posted by James Wilson View Post

    This is true Jo, but what about getting suck out on time and time again? How do you judge yourself then? How do grinders get suck out on in one tourney and keep playing other tourneies that same day? I get sucked out on and I'm pissed and tilt like a motherfucker and can't play again for atleast a day.

    Play more tables, then as you see them day after day you start to build up a tolerance.

    Make sure your playing within some sort of BR system, so the cash doesn't mean as much to you.

    When you lose a big hand review it and ask "what did I do wrong?" if the answer is nothing let it go, if you screwed up make a note to improve and let it go.

    when I first started every beat sent me through the roof, but as time goes you realize that it happens and you get used to it. I still get upset from time to time but it takes days of run bad now where it used to take hours.

    read this article, its a good way to adjust your thinking IMO. I agree with everything DHUB said to, most of life comes down to how bad you want it. Every time I've ever been beaten at anything I make sure that I learn something from it, eventually you start losing a lot less.
     
  8. JoGentleman JoGentleman is offline

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 3:16pm) in reply to James Wilson

    All of that has to do with your mindset. As long as you get upset about your bad beats and let it influence your game, you probably need to focus more on that then on your 'game'. When playing MTTs, mindset is so important. I say this but I've got some problems now myself ATM..

    For the last two months I've been getting killed. I just busted out of my last MTT today (http://weaktight.com/2066484) getting a bad beat. It's been like this for the last two months, made tons of Final Tables but always busting ~5-9th, which pays out nothing compared to top 3.

    It's definitely hurting me a lot more now when I get a bad beat then when I'm on a good run or had a recent good score. I'll play tomorrow and then I'll take a week off to reset my mind and work on my game away from the tables.

    Theoretically it shouldn't make a difference if we play now, tomorrow or the day after. Taking a break is only something we do to help our mind to calm down and get back fresh to the table. If I get upset about hands I loose, that are not within my power of control, I know I'm not in a correct mindset and need to step away from the tables. This requires me to put my ego beside and tell myself I need to stop because I can't control my own emotions good enough to play my A-game.

    Like dhubermax says.

    The difference between the top players and the players under them is there pursuit of perfection and there ability of emotional control. You can't control the outcome of any hand but you can control your emotion and your personal state of mind. Work hard on the things (decisions etc.) you can control and accept the things you can't.

    Knowing this and being able to apply it will help you a lot with your game.
     
  9. shipitb shipitb is offline

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    Feb 27th, 2010 (2/27/2010 3:31pm) in reply to dhubermex

    You can not win a MTT in the 1st hour..... You WILL not win 99% MTT's you enter...... simple answers of course
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