I have read, and written several posts on poker. Skill vs. luck, great poker playing vs. chasing, pot odds, flop odds, etc.. No one has really hit on the physical and psychological aspects of the game. How it affects you, and the people you care about. I believe these things are very important to think about, and remember while playing poker.

Like any other endeavor in life, there are a multitude of considerations to look at when undertaking a journey. I consider playing in a poker tournament a journey of sorts. It is very important to me to do well in this journey. I do not take it lightly, and I win and I lose. I try to stay away from the ring games, as I feel the physical and psychological aspects out weigh the enjoyment and profits of the game.

Texas Holdem is a fairly simple game on its face. If you delve deep into the whole of the game, and take into consideration all the aspects of, not just the game, but the people playing it, and their reactions to certain situations, it becomes much more involved. I think we have just scratched the surface so far.

I have played poker for many years, and have seen all kinds of players. New players who take unbelievable risks, and eventually come crashing down big time. Players who could care less whether they win or lose. Players who have so much money, they are really just killing time. Players who, if they lose, it will have far reaching effects on the people close to them. Players who become physically or verbally abusive when they lose. Players who blame losing on everything and everybody but themselves. The last is the solid gambler who spends money he or she can afford to lose and plays for the competition and the love of the game, and to make a little cash. If this type loses they do it with dignity, and learn from their mistakes. I will bet all of you fall into one of these categories.

Psychological Aspects: How does gambling affect you? Texas Holdem is extremely frustrating at times. Especially playing new players, as we often do online.

Anger: I have read posts from members who get angry with certain situations at the table. I get angry in certain games. Do you let this build and continue to get angrier and lose the game? I have. I think you should handle this emotion like this: Get up, get a drink. Take a break. Think about what just happened and try to calm down. Throwing items, kicking items, yelling at someone for no reason, just makes it worse. Anger feeds on itself. Frustration and anger are very similar emotions. Frustration for me seems to hang on a little longer.

Depression-sadness: Don't laugh, if you have ever seen pro poker, you have seen a pro crying. You really need to take a break here, and remember, this game is not the most important thing in your life, hopefully. If it is SEEK HELP.
This is the time you really need a person to talk to, ideally a poker player. We all get depressed, know how to handle it, have a plan. What dosen't kill us WILL make us stronger. This goes for poker too, learn from your mistakes.

Fear - If you go into the game shaking, and fearful,(I guarantee someone reading this will have at some point) You need to stop playing for the time being. Usually about a month break is sufficient. This emotion usually comes after loosing several games or tournaments. You just want to win one so bad.

Physical Aspects.

I know, you're sitting in a chair,not to physically draining, wrong. Again, I have seen people pass out cold at the table. Thinking/decision making can be far more physically draining than excersise in certain situations. I have gotten headaches, chest pains from stress, etc.. Some of us put so much energy into the game that your body rebels. You need to recognize this and take a break. I have played in all day tournaments and forgotten to eat or drink. Which leads me to believe that poker is psychotropic-having an altering effect on the brain. This doesn't mean you shouldn't play, just recognize and deal with these aspects.

In closing, in addition to odds, players, bets, flops, keep these aspects in mind when playing, but most of all ask yourself:

Am I enjoying this?
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I read this post some time ago. I still think it is a great post. I agree with the content. It makes you think about different things besides winning and losing.

I think this post raises a lot of real issues for poker players. I think too often we want to just make it all about "correct" plays and forget the physical and emotional aspect of the game.

If you think about it, every game has physical and emotional aspects. Ever seen a great football team overlook an opponent, only to have that opponent come out with a huge amount of energy and win in an upset (happens in the NCAA Basketball Tourney all the time in the first round)?

Ever watch a really great poker player like Layne Flack or Phil Hellmuth melt down and throw it all away?

Personally, I'm a math/engineering geek - I've always been incredibly good with numbers, and the mathematical part of poker fascinates me (because I'm friggin' crazy, ok!). The part of the game I struggle most with is the emotional side. Still trying to figure that side out.

Originally Posted by Jason75

I think this post raises a lot of real issues for poker players. I think too often we want to just make it all about "correct" plays and forget the physical and emotional aspect of the game.

If you think about it, every game has physical and emotional aspects. Ever seen a great football team overlook an opponent, only to have that opponent come out with a huge amount of energy and win in an upset (happens in the NCAA Basketball Tourney all the time in the first round)?

Ever watch a really great poker player like Layne Flack or Phil Hellmuth melt down and throw it all away?

Personally, I'm a math/engineering geek - I've always been incredibly good with numbers, and the mathematical part of poker fascinates me (because I'm friggin' crazy, ok!). The part of the game I struggle most with is the emotional side. Still trying to figure that side out.

Layne Flack tilts more then anybody but he is a great player, his flop play is second to none when he is on his A game.