Getting into the Rhythm

I was thinking of posting this in the beginner's forum but this is more targeted towards advanced players and I figured there'd be a better chance of them reading it here.

I have come across a few posts about getting into the rhythm of poker meaning a sort of pregame drill to get you prepared to play your A game. Athletes rock out to Led Zepp or AC/DC or smash their head with there fists. Do any of you guys have specifics? I was thinking of developing my own pregame drill to sharpen my senses before I lose money and realize "HEY, I better wake up and start playing!" Now I know smashing your head with your fists won't help but I was thinking that maybe writing down a list AKA a poker algorithm to remind you of the style of play you want to be generally following and maybe reviewing some bad beats you had and maybe some good wins to end with a positive note. I also would have said I'd read or reread a few of soupie's great posts to get in the mode but those are currently inaccessible. You guys have any additions/suggestions for something like this?

Interesting ideas you listed, but I'm one of the guys who listens to AC/DC, sometimes I beat my head with my fists, but thats usually after I start playing.

Seriously though, I usually listen to some mellow music to enhance my patience mixed in with some harder music to remind me to play aggressively.

Do whatever makes you feel COMFORTABLE, you want to be loosened up and relaxed when you sit down to play. For me its music, and I always browse FTR and Cardplayer when im playing.

I don't really have a pregame "ritual" but I only play when I feel good (not tired, irritated from my day at work...etc) I come home from work and throw the ball with the dogs for 20 minutes or so, talk to the wife...unwind a little then I usually play a 1-2 table SnG and hour or so before entering a large MTT to "warm up"
While I play; I practice chip tricks (unless the wife is working next to me, clacking chips irritate her after a while) take notes on other players or sketch. Lately I have been chatting on the IRC.

To get warmed up funny you ask.

I will get myself a glass of orange juice w/ ice in it.

Then put my headphones on. Yes headphones bring up winamp, make sure I am in shorts tshirt and socks. I have to be comfy or I am not going to play. If its cold get my blanky hehe i said blanky then start playing to some rock music / christian rock included.

Wow I kinda sound like a whimp there but anyways. Thats what I do pregame. I might play a SNG 1 table small buy in then after that I will move up to a 2 table or even a bigger buy in. If there is a nice mtt to enter w/ small buy in will even do that.

I have no special wamr up, I just listen to some music, browse FTR or watch TV. The only important thing is to get comfortable because if your upset or mad at somwething you prbably will have an irritable time....


-anto

I always (subconsciously) make sure that before I start I:

Have a clear mind and feel that I could focus.
Am feeling patient.
Am excited to play and not just doing to for the hell of it.
Am not bored, or mentally or physically tired.

Don't really have a routine or do any preperation--I just fire up Empire/Party and start 4-tabling NL 6-max whenever I want to play. I do need to be listening to music and shuffling chips while I'm playing though--if I don't I get on edge and impatient.

4 tabling NL 6max? That's gotta be a lot of stuff hitting you at one time becuase you can play a lot of hands on 6max.

-'rilla

Quote:

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Originally Posted by a500lbgorilla

4 tabling NL 6max? That's gotta be a lot of stuff hitting you at one time becuase you can play a lot of hands on 6max.

-'rilla

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I never play less than 4 tables at once, anything less and I start getting bored and wishing I was seeing more hands. With the exception of getting a read on the other players, I think I play just about as well despite the multiple tables going. Then again, I used to play 6-8 NL ring games at a time until I switched to 6-max, so I've gotten pretty accustomed to making quick decisions. Anything more than 4 6-max tables gets pretty unmanagable though, and I definitely notice my play gets adversely affected playing more than 5 6-max tables.