avoiding distractions to increase winrate

I know this has been discussed here and there but things change and people progress so I wanna see where people are now. How do you guys feel about multi-tasking while playing poker? Does surfing FTR or going in IRC, browsing webpages (etc.) distract you from playing your best poker? Even playing multiple tables can distract from your best poker for some people. So I'd like to hear some opinions from some of you, what do you think?

I honestly think that surfing the web helps me play with up to 2 tables. My stats back this up. The only reason I can think of for this is that it gives me something to do while waiting for good cards. Because I don't get impatient, I play tighter.
I dont think it "distracts" me because as soon as I have cards, I stop surfing and start playing.

-c

What if waiting for good cards isn't enough? What about using position against weak players to pick up the small pots that are fo sale? You need reads for this and would distractions hinder your ability?

Originally Posted by Les_Worm

What if waiting for good cards isn't enough? What about using position against weak players to pick up the small pots that are fo sale? You need reads for this and would distractions hinder your ability?

Well then this is like asking "does studying for a test make you do better for that specific test?" The answer is obviously yes. The difference in this analogy is that you can CHOOSE whether or not to take the test and take another one instead...say...when you already inherently know the subject material. (I think I did that analogy correctly)

Of course it would benefit you. The question is does it benefit you enough to warrant paying attention the entire time instead of surfing the web / playing other tables, etc.

I went up two limits, so cut back from 4 or 5 tables to 2 or 3. But playing 2 tables plus a little blackjack is a positive distraction for me, keeping me from playing crap.

Originally Posted by cryptyk

I honestly think that surfing the web helps me play with up to 2 tables. My stats back this up. The only reason I can think of for this is that it gives me something to do while waiting for good cards. Because I don't get impatient, I play tighter.
I dont think it "distracts" me because as soon as I have cards, I stop surfing and start playing.
-c

I agree I play two and only two tables. It gives me something to do while waiting for other players. It doesn't distract me from getting reads because I switch back and forth often. I also use my position to pick up small pots when I raise from late position even with rags. Tournaments on the other hand I focus on one and only one.

Originally Posted by ensign_lee

Originally Posted by Les_Worm

What if waiting for good cards isn't enough? What about using position against weak players to pick up the small pots that are fo sale? You need reads for this and would distractions hinder your ability?

Well then this is like asking "does studying for a test make you do better for that specific test?" The answer is obviously yes. The difference in this analogy is that you can CHOOSE whether or not to take the test and take another one instead...say...when you already inherently know the subject material. (I think I did that analogy correctly)

Of course it would benefit you. The question is does it benefit you enough to warrant paying attention the entire time instead of surfing the web / playing other tables, etc.

I don't really understand your analogy. Nonetheless, there is no correct answer as this is really independant of each individual. I am just trying to find out where peoples point of diminishing returns lies.

Originally Posted by eeeee

plus a little blackjack.

I heard the sidebets are pretty good too.

Originally Posted by Les_Worm

Originally Posted by ensign_lee

Originally Posted by Les_Worm

What if waiting for good cards isn't enough? What about using position against weak players to pick up the small pots that are fo sale? You need reads for this and would distractions hinder your ability?

Well then this is like asking "does studying for a test make you do better for that specific test?" The answer is obviously yes. The difference in this analogy is that you can CHOOSE whether or not to take the test and take another one instead...say...when you already inherently know the subject material. (I think I did that analogy correctly)

Of course it would benefit you. The question is does it benefit you enough to warrant paying attention the entire time instead of surfing the web / playing other tables, etc.

I don't really understand your analogy. Nonetheless, there is no correct answer as this is really independant of each individual. I am just trying to find out where peoples point of diminishing returns lies.

I think what he was trying to say is that the most profitable play is to wait until you have the nuts and push your edge. This is even more true on the loose/aggressive tables many people here like to play where there is a good chance of someone calling down with 2nd best hand.

Is it worth it to steal the blinds? Depends on the rake/blind structure/table VP$IP/etc. For me, it's generally not worth it, although I don't need to "focus" on the table to see that it checked around to me, on the button.

Most of my reads come from PT anyways. I can immediately get a list of everything the players in the pot have come in with, etc.

Originally Posted by ilikeaces86

Originally Posted by eeeee

plus a little blackjack.

I heard the sidebets are pretty good too.

NOT PP BlackJack!!!! Yuuuck!
Free money bonus blackjack -- 60GBP bonus plus winnings last night -- [Homer Simpson] Mmmmmmmm, Free Money [/Homer]

I try not to suft while playing. I mostly play 2 short handed tables, just watch the tables and the players and listen to relaxing music on the background. I cant get in to the zone if I do basically anything else than concentrate to the tables while I am playing.

"Multi-tasking anything decreases quality of output."

~Author Unknown

Playing poker while reading a book or watching t.v. or getting head or pwning halo 2 isn't going to improve your game.

I play better keeping all other non-poker distractions to a minimum. Maybe some backround music or a game on TV I might check every so often. Use any down time to get reads. I usually find if I'm bored/anxious while playing I don't need to be playing anyway and try to cut the session short.

I play better poker when I have something else going on, normally I'm watching a boxing match on my computer while playing two tables, or I'll play four tables without watching a boxing match.

Whatever helps you get in "the zone" do it, weather it's watching Martha Stuart living or Donald Trumps "The apprentice", if you find you are better focused when these things are present, then by all means I personally play my best when I have random mix music playing.