+ev breaks

**Zorkion** · 09-04-2010 04:56 PM

so I know this isnt exactly poker strategy, per say, but I know for a fact, that sometimes its +ev to just step away from the tables for a while, eg., when dealing with things that occupy the space in your mind that you like to reserve for your A game. So I was just wondering how long people have taken such breaks for in the past, or perhaps how long afterwards to wait until returning.

i know its pretty nonspecific, but im afraid i couldnt find a HH to attach :P

**Fielmann** · 09-04-2010 05:29 PM

When you say "stepping away from tables for a while", do you mean days/weeks/months long breaks from poker to deal with other issues or do you mean just sitting out for some minutes/seconds?
When you say "things that occupy your mind" do you mean things like grocery lists and problems at work or do you mean things like losing streaks and bad beats?

**Zorkion** · 09-05-2010 12:15 AM

i mean a break from poker in general, lasting at least a few days. as far as your second question goes, either way.

**Fielmann** · 09-05-2010 08:56 AM

I'm in favour of taking breaks from poker to deal with real life issues. I think these breaks should be as long as they have to be. Years, if necessary.

I'm against taking breaks from poker because you are tilting from bad luck. Streaks of bad luck are an opportunity to grow as a player. Things you can do include breathing exercises, reviewing hand histories, reading strategy books, meditation, posting hands and tournaments on forums, etc. These all help.
Taking a break, on the other hand, is basically running away from the problem instead of dealing with it. When you come back from the break you will probably feel calm and focused for a while, but when things don't go your way (and in poker they inevitably don't) then chances are you will tilt again as easily or even more easily as before.

**taipan168** · 09-06-2010 12:46 AM

I think that if you are tilting, upset or otherwise not focused then taking a break is a +EV idea. If you've just taken x hundred bad beats in a row and just want to "lash out" or "get even" with the other players, the poker site, the poker gods or whoever, then you're better off just taking a break whilst you rationalise that bad beats are part of the game and if you continue to make good decisions you'll come good in the end.

If you're undergoing major stress or upheaval in your life then I'd say you're better off sorting that stuff out before you play.

**drmcboy** · 09-06-2010 12:56 AM

yeah in theory never taking a break due to tilt is probably correct, in practice no one is that zen. If you're a high volume player you're just going to hit some stretches that defy belief and you need to get away and wait for the itch to come back.

After the negativity starts to fade this is also a good time to learn a new game/format.

09-04-2010 04:56 PM #1
Zorkion View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Join Date Aug 2010 Posts 258	+ev breaks so I know this isnt exactly poker strategy, per say, but I know for a fact, that sometimes its +ev to just step away from the tables for a while, eg., when dealing with things that occupy the space in your mind that you like to reserve for your A game. So I was just wondering how long people have taken such breaks for in the past, or perhaps how long afterwards to wait until returning. i know its pretty nonspecific, but im afraid i couldnt find a HH to attach :P
	http://zorkion.blogspot.com/ Letting the Cards Fall - Tracking my progress in the pursuit of profitability.
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09-04-2010 05:29 PM #2
Fielmann View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Join Date Aug 2008 Posts 422	When you say "stepping away from tables for a while", do you mean days/weeks/months long breaks from poker to deal with other issues or do you mean just sitting out for some minutes/seconds? When you say "things that occupy your mind" do you mean things like grocery lists and problems at work or do you mean things like losing streaks and bad beats?

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09-05-2010 12:15 AM #3
Zorkion View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Join Date Aug 2010 Posts 258	i mean a break from poker in general, lasting at least a few days. as far as your second question goes, either way.
	http://zorkion.blogspot.com/ Letting the Cards Fall - Tracking my progress in the pursuit of profitability.
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09-05-2010 08:56 AM #4
Fielmann View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Join Date Aug 2008 Posts 422	I'm in favour of taking breaks from poker to deal with real life issues. I think these breaks should be as long as they have to be. Years, if necessary. I'm against taking breaks from poker because you are tilting from bad luck. Streaks of bad luck are an opportunity to grow as a player. Things you can do include breathing exercises, reviewing hand histories, reading strategy books, meditation, posting hands and tournaments on forums, etc. These all help. Taking a break, on the other hand, is basically running away from the problem instead of dealing with it. When you come back from the break you will probably feel calm and focused for a while, but when things don't go your way (and in poker they inevitably don't) then chances are you will tilt again as easily or even more easily as before.

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09-06-2010 12:46 AM #5
taipan168 View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Join Date Jul 2005 Posts 10,571 Location Sydney	I think that if you are tilting, upset or otherwise not focused then taking a break is a +EV idea. If you've just taken x hundred bad beats in a row and just want to "lash out" or "get even" with the other players, the poker site, the poker gods or whoever, then you're better off just taking a break whilst you rationalise that bad beats are part of the game and if you continue to make good decisions you'll come good in the end. If you're undergoing major stress or upheaval in your life then I'd say you're better off sorting that stuff out before you play.

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09-06-2010 12:56 AM #6
drmcboy View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message DrButtInski Join Date Aug 2004 Posts 10,670	yeah in theory never taking a break due to tilt is probably correct, in practice no one is that zen. If you're a high volume player you're just going to hit some stretches that defy belief and you need to get away and wait for the itch to come back. After the negativity starts to fade this is also a good time to learn a new game/format.

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