While playing in SNG & MTT what do you do?

[Corey]

While doing SNG and MTT you pretty much know your going to fold the hand no matter what; what do you do to pass the time of the long hours of MTT and some of the SNGs?


I personally will open up winamp and listen to my mp3's and watch some tv and surf the web.

[murphyz]

Since starting to play poker last week I noticed I hate sound whilst playing and must have total silence, so I haven't seen the TV or listened to music for ages. I guess I just find them distracting.

I mostly just sit back in my chair, take a few deep breaths and repeat to myself not to play foolish hands at the same time as watching how others play to see if I can pick up on their style. Doing this helped greatly in a recent MTT as I had been moved to the table with the tournament chip leader in it and noticed he liked to take people all the way to the river and outbid them, regardless of his hand. I managed to take half of his chips in a few select hands because of it.

As well as this, I'll sometimes play with the chips I have at home, or shuffle a deck of cards. Not sure why I do that - but hey.

Mxx

[gutshot]

In the early stages, I usually just surf and fold my hands.

I don't bother trying to pick up play style until the maniacs are gone and I can see who I need to concentrate on. As the tourney goes on, I pay more attention and then come back to FTR only after I win some money.

I can't be doing anything else when I play poker, it all gets too confusing for me, so I sit and get reads on people when I'm folding.

But I do play songs on Windows Media Player while I play, it helps me relax and therefore concentrate more.

[mike4066]

Nobody else surfs porn?

Thats how I get through the first 1 hour of a Multi, or I read FTR

[FyrFytr998]

I usually listen to music.

[zenbitz]

Surfing Porn: Hmmm could be distracting to have a woody when you are about to play.

I usually have music on, (iTunes or CDs) - even when playing. Sometimes TV on... Sometimes read poker strategy (FTR), sometimes pay attention. I mix it up to keep from getting bored.

I also have written a tool that tracks players actions in real time (more or less - I have to get a "snapshot" because the game doens't really stop). This is really useful, because when I DO have to play, I can just review their stats. Sometimes (usually in ring games, though), I am working on this tool while I am playing...

[Les_Worm]

I've done all of the above at one point or another but generally I just read FTR (thats what I voted for) or surf other sites on the web.

[Tenny]

I'll just have ESPN on in the background. The last few nights they have been repeating the WSOP, so I watched that for a while I played.

[BoondockSaint]

I usually watch episodes of jackass or the wildboyz if I'm not playing a couple other tables like on pacific where you cant. Sometimes ill have a movie in the background. I always have music playing.

[Radashack]

I do It all depending on the day, Mostly i end up with music on and I sing, it tends to have amazing effects on my game, its odd I sing and I win a lot. Usually though I have a good 3 tables up and running when I play, combination of SNG's and MTT.

[elanto]

I usually have the TV on, and I also hear music, surf the internet, and post in FTR (at the same time), this way I dont get bored so I play each hand as if it was the first one. Not sure if this helps my game though........ lol


-anto

[CCIE SOON]

Gotta go with Mike on this one, nothing passes the time like funbags. Also lots of ESPN. I found that when i focus too hard with more than about 4 or 5 players left, i end up overanalyzing and for whatever reason tend to walk into bad beats. When i am paying attention elsewhere, i just analyze the hand quickly and make my decision. Has worked ok for me, out of the last 10 SNG (5+.50) single table's at PokerStars, i have 6 first places, 2 thirds, 1 fifth and 1 ninth (was doing no extracurriculars at the time - SEE?!).

[SteveO]

Open another table and play another SNG or cash game. Play with the dog and listen to the TV. I can multitask.

[zilch]

I listen to music, as I also find that it helps me relax.

Those others that listen to music, any favourite tunes to listen to? I generally like quite upbeat, "sing-a-long-able" rocky music to keep me going. I had a good night this week listening to the Undertones.

[FyrFytr998]

I hear that Fishstck and Humphrind IM each other sweet nothings in between hands. :P

[jmrogers7]

I hear that Fishstck and Humphrind IM each other sweet nothings in between hands. :P

I heard about that! Lotsa pillow-talk about thongs and cooking! :P

[FyrFytr998]

Humphrind Wrote:
Oh Fishstick. How I long to oil you up and slip that greasy thong from your hairy buttocks. I could just eat you like a Turkey Pot Pie.

Fishstick Wrote:
Oh Humphy Dumphy. You are a saucy piece. You say the sweetest things. I yearn for the spatula games we play when we get together. I love you.

Humphrind Wrote:
Oh Fishstick. How I long to oil you up and slip that greasy thong from your hairy buttocks. I could just eat you like a Turkey Pot Pie.

Fishstick Wrote:
Oh Humphy Dumphy. You are a saucy piece. You say the sweetest things. I yearn for the spatula games we play when we get together. I love you.

Hehe, that sounds eerily realistic.

[jmrogers7]

Fyr! I just noticed your sig! That's gold! I'm sure everyone in my office just heard me LOL!

[Humphrind]

I'd love to really hammer all of you with a large array of insults. However, I've just been laughing so much. It's tough.

Yes, I usually talk to Rippy and Fishy while playing poker. But the conversations usually go like this...

Hey Fishy. Fyrfytr is STILL e-mailing me. At first I was kinda flattered. But now it's just getting annoying. I mean. Give up already. I used him and got what I want.

I know. He is the worst. Always e-mailing me and asking me to send him my used thongs. Geez. I sent him 1 as a joke. But he keeps wanting more and more. He asked me yesterday if I would wear the same thong for an entire week, then send it to him and don't wash it. Kinda gross.

And JM, Fyrfytr and I have been trading our insults through signatures for a while.

Getting back to the thread: I look through FTR while playing poker. But isn't 'browsing FTR' and 'surfing for porn' kinda the same thing?

[jmrogers7]

Hey Humphy - I knew that you guys traded insults via the sig. I just happened to not notice Fyr's latest one and it made me practically spit out my Dr. Pepper!

[fishstick]

i've told fyrfytr that i don't want to be THAT kind of friend, but he just doesn't get it!

fyrfytr - you keep your damn oils and hoses to yourself!

[FyrFytr998]

Touche Humph!