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  1. #1

    Default Jared Tendler AMA



    We're delighted to announce Jared Tendler will be doing an Ask Me Anything with us on the 1st of May between 6.00pm and 7.30pm ET (11pm to 12.30am BST) Well known as the leading mental expert in poker, he now coaches more than 250 poker professionals, including some of the top players in the world. He has a degree in Counseling Psychology and has been a mental game coach since 2005.

    Some or most of you will have seen one of his training videos, or read one of his articles, or seen one of his forum Q&As. You can check out his podcast, articles and blog at www.jaredtendlerpoker.com and you can follow him on Twitter at @JaredTendler.

    Jared's new book, The Mental Game of Poker 2, is released on the 23rd of April. Feel free to ask questions about the new book, his first book, (whether or not you've read it), your own mental game, or about Jared personally!

    Looking to purchase his books? Buy them below:

    The Mental Game of Poker: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/shop/th...game-of-poker/
    The Mental Game of Poker 2: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/shop/th...me-of-poker-2/

    ---

    Here is Jared's video intro for the AMA!

    Last edited by givememyleg; 05-01-2013 at 06:03 PM.
  2. #2
    Sick, the first book was great- and applicable way more broadly than just to poker.
  3. #3
    This is the first AMA I am actually excited to see. Haven't read the second book yet. I don't really have any questions just wanted to say thanks Jared.
  4. #4
    Bump, don't want this getting lost. Feel free to get your questions in early to make sure they get answered
  5. #5
    apparently jyms and I are the only mentally unstable people on the forum and we're too deranged to come up with questions
  6. #6
    What is the weight that emotional intelligence plays in your book?
  7. #7
    How should I approach mentally warming up prior to playing?
  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Circuits View Post
    How should I approach mentally warming up prior to playing?
    I would spend some time imaging yourself jogging, think about doing some light stretches and then maybe spend some time imagining yourself playing at a 60% tempo. That should suffice, your mind should be limber as ever then
  9. #9
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    Want to say "Thanks Jared".
    I'm about half-way through his first book.
  10. #10
    New book released tomorrow!
  11. #11
    Hi! I haven't read your books yet, but I did order copies of both of them moments ago. I'm wondering what led you to become a mental game coach and whether or not you ever offered your counseling services as part of a private practice. Also, can you recommend ways for a stressed out person to avoid panic attacks and/or shorten their lengths? My anonymous friend wanted me to ask that one... Thanks!
  12. #12
    Jared, nowadays I am reading some minutes of your first book before each session. What kind of new stuff is included on the second one?

    Have you ever played Poker and be able to avoid tilt and manage all the things you teach others??

    Thanks!!
    Pablo Paglayan - Argentina
    facebook.com/pablo.paglayan
    twitter.com/pablopagla
  13. #13
    We have less than a week before this event starts.
  14. #14
    Jared, forgive me on this, but I haven't read the first book yet. Still, I hope you don't mind if I ask a question:

    I have a serious block when it comes to playing in casinos. I regularly play in home games against very tough players - players who crush 1/2 and 2/5 NLHE and PLO, and play in bracelet events (though they've never won one, they have cashed...)

    It's a $0.25/0.50 mixed game that includes rounds of $5/10 limit games and there are often straddles, double straddles, and occasionally triple straddles when we're all sitting on stacks of $300-400. And 5-card PLO/8 is in the mix as well...

    But when I try to play even 1/2 NLHE in the casino, I get Scared Money Syndrome. Something about buying in for $200 and the possibility of losing it all to a poor play or a suckout bugs me, even though losing $200 in two buy-ins doesn't bug me at all. And before you ask, yeah, I'm properly rolled - even though I don't make my living from poker, I keep my poker funds separate and have 20 buy-ins for $1/2.

    Some contributing factors are that the nearest casino is 6 hours away by bus/car, so if I end up going to the casino, and lose a buy-in or two, I feel like I not only pissed away money, but also pissed away a heck of a lot of time.

    Am I just doomed to be stuck playing 50PLO and 100NL? Or maybe I should just switch to LHE/LO8 instead?
  15. #15
    Hey Jared, thanks for doing this and I'm looking forward to buying the new book. Three questions from me if I may:

    1) Sometimes I start a session a bit too "pumped up" and donk off a few buy-ins by being far too aggressive and assuming everybody is bluffing me - can you provide me with any tips for recognising when I'm in this frame of mind please or how to snap out of it quickly?

    2) One other problem I have is being unable to profitably play a session length longer than 60-75 minutes without going into a passive frame of mind and making too many bad calls. Could you provide me with some advice on how to maintain my A-game for a longer, continuous period please?

    3) Finally, which player (either online or live) would you say has the strongest poker mindset?
  16. #16
    spoonitnow's Avatar
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    Do you have a favorite story about someone tilting in a very outrageous fashion?
  17. #17
    Hello Very excited about this AMA. Your work is amazing Congratulations

    Do you think you could take a total newbie in poker and make him a solid winner?

    I know it's your book but would you recommended it to every single poker player out there?

    If you had to say, what are the main differences between the first and second book?
    Pre-Flop ou Post Flop...o importante é estar dentro de jogo
  18. #18
    I'm starting to read your book and I must say it is quite interesting. Really unique I must add! Here are my questions to you Jared

    In your opinion what is the worst problem a player can show at the table (lack of...Focus, Confidence, Motivation)?

    Do you still play golf?

    Besides poker, do you use psychology in other games or situations in your life?
  19. #19
    Hi Jared,

    Just picked up your first book and if you dont mind I am gonna type some stuff out here as an exercise. And if you have any comments on the below I'd appreciate.

    I can lose pots for a lot of money and smile and just not care as I realize that's just a part of poker. And unless 5 happen in a row and my bankroll takes a huge swing it wont really affect my emotional level to any serious degree. This has been achieved thru a lot of experience and not playing significantly out of my bankroll.

    Recently a situation happened that got my emotion levels higher then they should be. As you note tilt is not sudden its a gradual process so I would like to explain the lead up to my heightened level of emotions---

    First scenario: I opened MP, bunch of callers, kid squeezes, I call being deep after almost considering 4betting, someone behind me who originally called repops we all fold. (note: surprise squeezer was doing this light)
    how i felt: was annoyed putting so much $$ into pot and not even getting to see a flop. slight tilt. I almost 4bet myself thinking he was squeezing light, but didnt and then someone behind me (who I am friends with) later told me they repopped it up light cuz they thought the squeezer was light. Had I made the right play, it would have been much better and as played this was the worst result I could of asked for.

    injecting logic: There are 2 issues at work that I see 1) not going with your read/making a mistake and 2) being annoyed that someone squeezed light. (getting super annoyed with how the action goes down --usually stemming from a player doing something that doesn't fit my criteria).

    Logic---
    1) mistakes gonna happen, sometimes out of the blue, especially as you play more and more poker going without mistakes is not possible. Make note and learn from it. You need to learn to deal with mistakes and dismiss them without letting them bother your emotional levels to much (see section in book on why perfectionism is impossible).

    2) Why cant a player choose to play however he wants and why does it have to fit your criteria? Stop being self entitled and so illogical! Occasionally hands like this going to happen and ideally they shouldn't trigger your emotions at all if you want to truly master the mental game.

    Second scenario: I open CO, SB calls and same player squezes BB light and c/fs a flop . I end up winning an inflated pot thanks to the BB against the SB.

    how i felt: indifferent/slightly happy as I won the pot but just thinking wtf this kid is 3betting in my head almost everytime I open.

    fix: Although my emotions weren't changed, its pretty funny that I violate rule #2 once again. Thinking a player isn't entitled to take whatever option he wants in poker and even when I win profit from his mistakes I still think he isn't wise for choosing to target me like this in a live setting (as I am not the fish) but the fact is he can do whatever he wants and it shouldn't bother me one bit. As when I get position on him (being a much more experienced player then him can make his life just as much more hell once I get position on him). But the fact I want to get position on him and just own the shit out of him in future sessions might show my competitive drive (which I think is needed) or might show a leak in taking shit to personal. What do you think?

    So when someone is 3betting me a lot IP in a live setting its a clear leak that I need to work on. I know some adjustments that I can make and hands that I can/cant defend but I more need to focus on my emotional tolerance for this. For some reason it really bothers me when I am going to constantly face light 3bets IP against light ranges.I've read sameoulus quote, and I think i just need to constantly monitor my emotions with this spot and examine it at a later time and keep injecting logic.

    Third scenario: I open utg, he squeezes me in MP. I play back at him postflop. As for my post session analysis I am fine with cr flop light (was better for my range, and I think hes on a short bankroll) but should of c/f the specific turn card that came (okay to cr flop and barrel 90% turns but not this specific one). He ends up winning big pot with a rather speculative hand that he 3 blled.

    how i felt: So overall during this time, I am thinking why is he 3betting me with this shit from these positions. Does he not realize I am better then him and I can make his life hell if he wants to really play me like this next time I am at the table. How dare he!!! Also I am very hard on myself for making a mistake and betting turn. 'I shouldnt of bet the turn, I therefore lost $XXX, do you know what I could of bought with XXX had I just played better.'

    logic--- same as first one. 1) Mistakes going to happen, learn from them. 2) People can play however they want.

    In a later session I see this player lose a lot and play bad, so its awakening to realize the money he wins he will most likely give it back. Do not be self entitled and do not think you can win every session because that's why poker is poker.

    Lots of mental game leaks above . Did not realize it was soooo long, but any comments/advice you have on how I am approaching the mental side and my new journey to improve it.
    Last edited by Fix; 04-27-2013 at 02:55 PM.
  20. #20
    Also regarding mistakes; I could of bought $XXXX had I done this instead. And the pitfalls of thinking poker in terms of opportunity costs/money instead of chips/bb's. Any comments/literature on this?

    Thanks Jared. I think I clogged up this thread enough, so I will gracefully bow out.
  21. #21
    This event starts in less than 3 days.
  22. #22
    Keep the questions coming, just one day until the AMA!

  23. #23
    Would you mind giving a brief summary of your books and how important you feel the mental game to be when it comes to poker? I think most people just think of tilt control when it comes to the mental side, but there is much more.
  24. #24
    But speaking on tilt, that is one problem almost everyone can relate with. This subject has been discussed over and over with the same very general advice given, but what would you say to someone who says they have an issue controlling their tilt?
  25. #25
    What is the single best piece of advice you've been given or read that had the most impact on your poker game?
  26. #26
    Have you ever given advice to a famous poker pro?
  27. #27
    which of the existing poker pros you think should read your book to improve their game? (who needs it desperately!)
  28. #28
    How important is one's health to be mentally sharp while playing poker? Do you think diet/exercise may be a leak that is often overlooked?
  29. #29
    Speaking of mental warming... I am studying a foreign language and I have seen that I need to relate to the language before I start my class, do you think this is something we all should do when wanting to play poker? Maybe sit out for a while and evaluate our competition can be considered warming?
  30. #30
    I have a lot of trouble on focusing while playing poker, what's the best advice you can give me to not lose my focus and lose money while doing it? I have seen banners and just general chat keep me distracted sometimes and make me lose. Any exercise?
  31. #31
    Hi Jared,
    1) What do you think about personality types (introvert/extrovert) and their effect on people's poker game?

    2) On the topic of books, having become a successful writer do read very much these days? If so what is your favourite novel?
  32. #32
    Hi Jared! I find strategy articles very useful, but sometimes very overwhelming. Is it possible for one to read and instruct by only reading one author? For example many online articles are written by different people and the approach is always different, I think this is what gets me confused. Do you think variety is good or should I stick to only reading strategy articles and advice from one author?
  33. #33
    do you think your book also can apply to any other mental and strategy game or only to Poker?
  34. #34
    As you start playing poker? How do you see yourself in 10 years?

    GG
  35. #35
    Do you think Poker is a game that can be taught (and learned by anyone), or requires some natural talent?
  36. #36
    I know this may sound silly to some people, but I'm wondering if you can give me any advice about overcoming grief. I am over thirty and do not have biological children of my own. I think that is one of the reasons why I am so passionate about companion animals, including my own pets. Last Thursday, I had to make the decision to put the canine equivalent of the love of my life, my Labradoodle, Marcy, to sleep. Ever since, I've had difficulty sleeping, working...and not crying. I'm not a particularly emotional person so I don't know if I'm making up for opportunities where I haven't cried in the past or if I'm going nuts. Marcy is not the only dog I've held as she's gone off to heaven, but her loss has hit me harder than almost anything else has in recent memory. What can I do to get over this? I've tried vodka, but it hasn't worked as of yet...Thanks.
  37. #37
    I have a habit with getting annoyed with other people's behavior when I'm playing poker. For instance, it drives me nuts when someone chews with his/her mouth open. Can you recommend some sort of meditation or something that can help me to politely ignore people whose habits annoy the crap out of me?
  38. #38
    Hey Jared,

    One of the things I enjoyed most about your book is that the concepts you present, although you do a great job tying them to poker, are applicable way more broadly than that - obviously to sport and the like but really any area of your life that you're trying to improve has a mental game aspect. Have you considered writing for a broader audience or do you feel like you've found your niche with poker?

    Thanks for the first book and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of the second
  39. #39
    Less than 24 hours to go until this event starts!
  40. #40
    Less than 12 hours to go until this event starts!
  41. #41
    Hey Jared,

    I've managed to get my hands on a copy of your second book (thanks Barry), and I'm trying to find time to read it, as I'm sure it's as good as the first one.
    I write a daily article on Viktor Blom's high stakes action, and I've noticed he seems to have some issues with his mental game.
    He seems to spiral out of control when he loses, and has been known to try and "play through the pain" and ends up losing massive amounts.
    The thing is, his "A" game is amongst the best in the world at the games he has been playing. I think he may be chasing the respect of the poker community at large, as he has been getting negative comments from them for as long as he has been on the scene.
    Do you have any advice I can pass on to Viktor, or any suggestions of the chapters in either book that may be worth him reading? I think his mental game may be the only thing stopping Viktor from being unstoppable, when he wins, he tends to win a lot, when he loses, he loses a lot. If he was to learn when to pull the plug (when's not on his "A" game) I think his earnings would jump accordingly.
    I'd appreciate your opinion.
  42. #42
    1) Who would you say was the most interesting guest ever at your podcast?

    2) What was your longest ever online session?
  43. #43
    rong's Avatar
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    Hey.

    I think it might have been mentioned already, but I also struggle to maintain focus for long periods of time, for me approx 45-60 mins online multitabling and I start to lose focus.

    What can I do to extend the time I can play for and secondly reduce the time it takes me to recover, which us currently approx 30 mins.

    Thanks
    I'm the king of bongo, baby I'm the king of bongo bong.
  44. #44
    What kind of impact do you think events like the Boston Marathon bombing and school/theater shootings have on children? Do you have any advice re how subjects like these should be discussed with youngsters so that they're not afraid and don't become desensitized?
  45. #45
    mrickett's Avatar
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    Can you briefly touch on how your career developed into what it is today? I'm interested in the journey. Was mental health counseling something you were into before you discovered the poker niche, or was it poker itself that pushed you in that direction to begin with?

    I really feel your area of expertise can and should be applied to all aspects of life, have you considered diversifying and trying to help people with other areas of their life?
    Join our Events Mail group and never forget about an upcoming FTR event again!


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  46. #46
    Less than 6 hours to go until this event starts!
  47. #47
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    1) Who is the greatest english poker professional?

    2) What is the last good event you went to?
  48. #48
    If you won millions in the lottery, would you continue to work?
  49. #49
    Who has been your favorite professional player to coach?

    Do you have any memorable coaching moments?

    What exactly is counseling psychology?
  50. #50
    Less than 2 hours to go until this event starts!
    Last edited by Pascal; 05-01-2013 at 05:51 PM.
  51. #51
    10 minutes til go time!
  52. #52
    And it's go time.

    What up party people - I'm really not that cool, it's just what came to mind.

    FTR, great to be here. You already have a lot of solid questions, which I'm going to just get right to.

    Game on!
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  53. #53
    Welcome Jared!
  54. #54
    Quote Originally Posted by kiwiMark View Post
    Sick, the first book was great- and applicable way more broadly than just to poker.
    Thanks! I’m always curious about this, how did it help you outside of poker.

    I probably just broke the first rule of AMA, but I’m guessing that’s not like breaking the first rule of fight club.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  55. #55
    Quote Originally Posted by Jared Tendler View Post
    I probably just broke the first rule of AMA, but I’m guessing that’s not like breaking the first rule of fight club.
    you're fired.
  56. #56
    Quote Originally Posted by C_L1 View Post
    What is the weight that emotional intelligence plays in your book?
    I haven’t really thought about my book in those terms before, but thinking about it now, I’d say that my books help to raise your emotional IQ by helping you to understand the nature of emotion, the ways that hardwired believes affect emotions, and how you can resolve/solve them. Anger, fear, low motivation, and over- and underconfidence are the big ones that I address. I don’t have hard evidence for this, but anecdotally the people who really worked with the book are smarter in how the react and handle their emotions. Not a quick fix or instant knowledge. Although some things may immediately strike you.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  57. #57
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    you're fired.
    Damn. Ok, well I'm guess that's the record for quickest exit. At least I have that parting gift.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  58. #58
    Quote Originally Posted by C_L1 View Post
    What is the weight that emotional intelligence plays in your book?
    I haven’t really thought about my book in those terms before, but thinking about it now, I’d say that my books help to raise your emotional IQ by helping you to understand the nature of emotion, the ways that hardwired believes affect emotions, and how you can resolve/solve them. Anger, fear, low motivation, and over- and underconfidence are the big ones that I address. I don’t have hard evidence for this, but anecdotally the people who really worked with the book are smarter in how the react and handle their emotions. Not a quick fix or instant knowledge. Although some things may immediately strike you.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  59. #59
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    you're fired.
  60. #60
    Quote Originally Posted by Circuits View Post
    How should I approach mentally warming up prior to playing?
    Number one – have goals for the session or tournament. The clearer your goals, the more focused your mind, the better you’ll play. You can have goals that are based off of your LT goals. So the ones you set for the day are essentially what you can do today/in that session or tournament, to work toward your long-term goals. So for example, if you want to be playing longer hours, you could set a goal to recognize when you’re mind tends to get tired/tilted/other reason you would quit and then you push yourself to play 5-10% longer. If you want to be moving up in stakes, making more money, or eliminating tilt, then set a goal that improves you tactically or mentally so you can play better.

    After that you want to be reviewing the specifics of how you’re going to improve tactically or mentally. I advise all my clients to have a clear understanding of their mental/tactical weaknesses and the ways they correct them. Then before sessions they review this strategy so it’s fresh in their mind and more easily accessible when they need it most – ie. When they’re about to make a dumb mistake, or have started to tilt.

    Visualization is something that people talk a lot about, but you want to make sure it’s practical. And if you’re visualizing yourself being in control of tilt, for example, that you really have the skill to do it. Otherwise, it’s just a fantasy. Research has shown that visualization is most effective for people whom already have a high degree of skill. Too often it’s used by people with very little skill to accelerate their learning/performance. But it doesn’t work that way.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  61. #61
    Quote Originally Posted by HeyYou View Post
    Hi! I haven't read your books yet, but I did order copies of both of them moments ago. I'm wondering what led you to become a mental game coach and whether or not you ever offered your counseling services as part of a private practice. Also, can you recommend ways for a stressed out person to avoid panic attacks and/or shorten their lengths? My anonymous friend wanted me to ask that one... Thanks!
    That’s great, I hope you enjoy them!

    I wanted to become a mental game coach after struggling with my own mental hangups – specifically choking under pressure – as I was trying to become a professional golfer. Was a dream since I was a kid, and even though I was a 3-time All-american in college (DIII – Skidmore College), I kept choking on the biggest stages. First time happened trying to qualify for the US Open when I was 19. Played the best round of my life except with my putting. 3 putted 4 times and missed a playoff by a shot. I got into the field trying to find answers to my problems, bc sport psych at the time didn’t help me. I though counseling psych would help me find them.

    I did work in a counseling office for 4 years. 2 years as an intern in grad school, and then 2 years post grad, to accrue 3200hrs of supervised practice to get licensed. The office provide home based therapy for kids and families in the social service system in Massachusetts. So I was working with kids with some pretty major issues, and doing counseling at their dinner table, on a couch in their living room, in my car, at school, a basketball court. I was really tough, but interesting and rewarding work. Goal all along was to take what I learned to bring into golf and sports, but I embraced the work and learned a ton.

    Re: panic attacks – that’s not my expertise and I recommend going to see a therapist. There aren’t simple answers to complex probs like that. That’s not to say their impossible to solve, but it’s better taken seriously with a professional.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  62. #62
    Quote Originally Posted by PabloPagla View Post
    Jared, nowadays I am reading some minutes of your first book before each session. What kind of new stuff is included on the second one?
    The new one is all new material entirely that advances your best. The first book was all about eliminating the worst areas of your mental game: tilt, fear and confidence and motivation problems. The new book informs you on how to make your best even better. Meaning how to get in the zone consistently, learn more efficiently, improve focus, mental endurance, discipline and decision making.

    Here’s a link to the excerpt of the first chapter – if you want to read a bit more: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/thementalgameofpoker2/ (Scroll down a page)

    Quote Originally Posted by PabloPagla View Post
    Have you ever played Poker and be able to avoid tilt and manage all the things you teach others??

    Thanks!!
    Poker isn’t my profession and I don’t take it that seriously when I play. Tilt/anger isn’t generally a problem for me. I mentioned in an earlier question that I choked under pressure in golf, so my weakness is more in the nerves/fear side of things. Whether in golf, or playing big pots in casinos, or coaching big named players, I’ve learned a ton on how to control/resolve my nerves and I feel them, but they rarely cause my game to break down. Nerves at that level generally fuels me to play great/perform great. Although, I’m human too and there are times where my decision making/shot making isn’t as high as ti could be. Always learning and finding new ways to improve. That challenge is something I love to do for myself and help my clients to do as well.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  63. #63
    Quote Originally Posted by Brian Boyko View Post
    Jared, forgive me on this, but I haven't read the first book yet. Still, I hope you don't mind if I ask a question:

    I have a serious block when it comes to playing in casinos. I regularly play in home games against very tough players - players who crush 1/2 and 2/5 NLHE and PLO, and play in bracelet events (though they've never won one, they have cashed...)

    It's a $0.25/0.50 mixed game that includes rounds of $5/10 limit games and there are often straddles, double straddles, and occasionally triple straddles when we're all sitting on stacks of $300-400. And 5-card PLO/8 is in the mix as well...

    But when I try to play even 1/2 NLHE in the casino, I get Scared Money Syndrome. Something about buying in for $200 and the possibility of losing it all to a poor play or a suckout bugs me, even though losing $200 in two buy-ins doesn't bug me at all. And before you ask, yeah, I'm properly rolled - even though I don't make my living from poker, I keep my poker funds separate and have 20 buy-ins for $1/2.

    Some contributing factors are that the nearest casino is 6 hours away by bus/car, so if I end up going to the casino, and lose a buy-in or two, I feel like I not only pissed away money, but also pissed away a heck of a lot of time.

    Am I just doomed to be stuck playing 50PLO and 100NL? Or maybe I should just switch to LHE/LO8 instead?
    That’s a tough question. I think you have to ask yourself whether you want to drive 6 hours home from the casino playing as well as you can, making the decisions you know are right – win or lose – or if you want to focus mostly on whether or not you won or lost.

    I don’t expect that answer to immediately change the pressure/fear you have when you play, so you have prepare yourself ahead of time. Remind yourself that what you can’t control isn’t where you’re going to focus. You’re going to focus on decision making. The cards will play out how they play out.

    When you’re playing, keep reminding yourself of this – or other thoughts you have that are close to it. Reducing fear doesn’t happen all at once, you have to inject these thoughts into instances where the fear shows up and push/force yourself to think/feel that way. Over time the fear will drop steadily. Some days may be worse than others, but if you keep at it, you should see some solid progress in 3-6 weeks. It may not be gone entirely, but much more in control so you can make the right decisions even easier.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  64. #64
    Quote Originally Posted by The Bean Counter View Post
    Hey Jared, thanks for doing this and I'm looking forward to buying the new book. Three questions from me if I may:

    1) Sometimes I start a session a bit too "pumped up" and donk off a few buy-ins by being far too aggressive and assuming everybody is bluffing me - can you provide me with any tips for recognising when I'm in this frame of mind please or how to snap out of it quickly?
    Take notes and study your own pattern of being “pumped up” for 5-7 days or 5-7x. Look for the thoughts, emotion, sensation in your body, actions, behaviors, etc that indicate to you that you’re too pumped up. Recognition is HUGE and it’s not automatic. It’s learned. So study your own pattern and you’ll be able to spot it.

    Snapping out of it quickly is harder the more pumped up you are. Think of your energy level more like the a volume button on an old stereo than an on/off switch. The higher the volume, the more you have to work to turn the noise/energy level down. So being able to snap out of it is easiest, when you recognize the earliest sign that your energy is starting to rise too high.

    Quote Originally Posted by The Bean Counter View Post
    2) One other problem I have is being unable to profitably play a session length longer than 60-75 minutes without going into a passive frame of mind and making too many bad calls. Could you provide me with some advice on how to maintain my A-game for a longer, continuous period please?
    Starting a session too pumped up is definitely one cause of this problem. When you’re energy is that high you’re wasting energy. Think of it like sprinting at the start of a long race – eventually that runner will fatique and slow down. Instead, most successful runners work their way into a long race and don’t go out to quick. See how long you can play your A-game when you start slower. Then, like a runner trying to run farther and faster, push yourself in successive sessions to go a little longer while maintaining your A/A-/B+ game.

    Quote Originally Posted by The Bean Counter View Post
    3) Finally, which player (either online or live) would you say has the strongest poker mindset?
    Phil Ivey
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  65. #65
    Quote Originally Posted by spoonitnow View Post
    Do you have a favorite story about someone tilting in a very outrageous fashion?
    I wish I had cool stories like this. Aside from punching holes in walls, throwing laptops out 3 story windows, and losing 50k in a session. My stories are all pretty standard. Or maybe I just think they’re standard.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  66. #66
    Quote Originally Posted by Cruelsebastian View Post
    Hello Very excited about this AMA. Your work is amazing Congratulations
    Thanks very much!

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruelsebastian View Post
    Do you think you could take a total newbie in poker and make him a solid winner?
    Not without a great tactical coach also working with that player. The mental game is critical, but it’s not enough to make me a winning player in most of the games that you all play. Tactical knowledge is what matters most. The mental game is what helps a player utilize all their tactical knowledge more often.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruelsebastian View Post
    I know it's your book but would you recommended it to every single poker player out there?
    The book can really only help those willing to work with it. So I wouldn’t recommend it to people looking for a quick fix. Only to people who were looking for real solutions to their mental game problems. Plus, there’s no way that my book could help 100% of poker players. People are too different.

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruelsebastian View Post
    If you had to say, what are the main differences between the first and second book?
    Mentioned it above, but I’ll repost answer:

    The new one is all new material entirely that advances your best. The first book was all about eliminating the worst areas of your mental game: tilt, fear and confidence and motivation problems. The new book informs you on how to make your best even better. Meaning how to get in the zone consistently, learn more efficiently, improve focus, mental endurance, discipline and decision making.

    Here’s a link to the excerpt of the first chapter – if you want to read a bit more: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/thementalgameofpoker2/ (Scroll down a page)
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  67. #67
    Quote Originally Posted by Jared Tendler View Post
    I wish I had cool stories like this. Aside from punching holes in walls, throwing laptops out 3 story windows, and losing 50k in a session. My stories are all pretty standard. Or maybe I just think they’re standard.
    go on...
  68. #68
    Quote Originally Posted by Esterno19 View Post
    I'm starting to read your book and I must say it is quite interesting. Really unique I must add! Here are my questions to you Jared

    In your opinion what is the worst problem a player can show at the table (lack of...Focus, Confidence, Motivation)?

    Do you still play golf?

    Besides poker, do you use psychology in other games or situations in your life?
    Thanks, great to hear that!

    Worst mental game problem is in confidence. It’s the one that can create anger, focus, motivation, fear, and other problems. Confidence issues are often hidden so they’re harder to spot, plus people often think that it’s okay to be overconfident – which is not true at all. Overconfidence can cause a player to play in games they’re not rolled for, become complacent and not work on their game (think of the online poker millionaires in 2007/2008 who are broke), and handle bad variance much worse. Ideally you want your confidence to be based in reality – and that’s a tough thing in poker I realize, but it’s something that many poker players need to consider working on.

    I do still play golf, although not as much, nor as well as I’d like to. I think those are both related. I always played better when I played more. Generally now it take me three days to knock enough rust off to make it enjoyable.

    I use it everyday for myself in my approach to my work – writing/coaching/developing. Aside from that, I use it where it makes sense – but I need to turn it off and just relax. Otherwise I’ll burn out.
    Last edited by Jared Tendler; 05-01-2013 at 07:05 PM.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  69. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    go on...
    it didn't survive the fall...
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  70. #70
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    Would you mind giving a brief summary of your books and how important you feel the mental game to be when it comes to poker? I think most people just think of tilt control when it comes to the mental side, but there is much more.
    And not only do they just think of tilt control, they also think tilt means anything less than playing your best. Defining tilt that broadly is a huge problem when you’re trying to solve problems. Tilt often can mean being bored, drunk, spewy, steaming, and risk averse. But every one of those problems has a different solution. So the first major thing I did in the first book was to narrow the definition of tilt down to bad play only caused by anger. The reason is that in the three years that I had work with poker players and studied the game over 80% of the time poker players were talking about tilt, they were referring to be frustrated, raging, or some form of anger. With anger being = to tilt, I could then narrow down the main reasons poker player get angry and came up with 7 major types of tilt:

    Running Bad Tilt
    Injustice Tilt
    Hate-losing Tilt
    Mistake Tilt
    Entitlement Tilt (think Hellmuth)
    Revenge Tilt
    Desperation Tilt.

    Then with tilt defined, that made room for the three other major mental game problems: fear, poor motivation and under/overconfidence. The other thing I did in the first book was to show how errors in understanding the learning process cause mental game problems. If you have expectations to learn/progress faster, or if you think you’ve learned something and didn’t, you can experience any of those mental game problems, or make them worse. So I provided three theories on learning to help players understand the realities of learning better.

    The second book I’ve mentioned a bit about already. But I’ll also add that player that don’t have major mental game issues don’t need to read the first book in order to read the second. It’s not like a sequel to a movie. And more like a entirely separate book that compliements the first.

    The mental game is critical now because the edges are so small. And it’s the thing that can make all of your work on your tactical game go to shit. What’s the point of spending hours to improve tactically, if you just get pissed up or lock up while playing and make the same mistakes. Those errors are not going to get solved just by improving your game tactically. In that regard I often think of the mental game like an insurance policy on your tactical game bc it’s what makes it possible to avoid your biggest tactical errors.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  71. #71
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    But speaking on tilt, that is one problem almost everyone can relate with. This subject has been discussed over and over with the same very general advice given, but what would you say to someone who says they have an issue controlling their tilt?
    I would pepper them with questions, such as:

    What are the situations where it happens? What are other spots where it doesn’t? What’s the difference? What’s the first sign that you’re on tilt? What cause it? Why do you think that thing is causing you to react that way?

    The reality is that tilt happens for predictable reasons. The problem is that many people/players don’t know those reasons and all they here is “don’t tilt.” Well no shit, thank you for that amazing advice. If you’re going to solve a problem – any problem not just mental and not just a temporary fix but a permanent one – you need to understand the cause of it. Most people don’t take the time to really think about why they’re reacting in the way that they are, and only think it’s stupid to be getting pissed off. Sure it may be stupid, but it’s happening and thinking it shouldn’t bother you, or that you shouldn’t react that way, doesn’t change the reality THAT IT DID. So stop fucking around thinking you’re going to wake up one day a zen master and suck outs, mistakes, or running bad don’t bother you any more and get to work on really solving the problem.

    /rant

    I’m not like most therapist – and more like a coach. I’m understanding because it helps solve problems, but I also am not going to let people just live in a fantasy world.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  72. #72
    Quote Originally Posted by givememyleg View Post
    What is the single best piece of advice you've been given or read that had the most impact on your poker game?
    Well since I suck at poker – the best advice came when I met the crew from Stoxpoker back in 2008 in Vegas around the WSOP. In so many words I realized that I either need to take learning poker seriously or just keep it a hobby. I chose the later and decided to focus my time on getting better at what I do best.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  73. #73
    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyAcer View Post
    Have you ever given advice to a famous poker pro?
    On my mental game of poker podcast Phil Hellmuth was thinking about taking Adderall. Mike Matusow suggested he try it and I challenged him a bit on why that may not be the best decision he could make. Here’s a link to the podcast: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/radio-p...il-hellmuth-2/. At the WSOP last year Phil talked about how he tried Adderall once during his first final table and it totally messed with him. He credited his bracelet win on not taking it.
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  74. #74
    Quote Originally Posted by NotFolding View Post
    which of the existing poker pros you think should read your book to improve their game? (who needs it desperately!)
    Victor Blom could use a little help with tilt…
    Jared Tender - Mental Game Coach & Author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 and 2
  75. #75
    I've got to run, but wanted to say thanks for doing this, Jared! I've gotten a lot out of your responses!!! I'll be sure to check in tomorrow to see what I missed. Thanks, again!

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