BDDP said:
I think most of you took mike's comments on positive thinking out of context. He isn't saying that thinking about good cards is what makes good cards come. he's saying that you have to stay positive no matter what is happening hand to hand. If you get negative, ie wallow in self pity over a bad beat, or let some loudmouth at the table get under your skin, then you will not be playing to the best of your ability. You won't detect subtle actions that you should be paying attention to. Think back to the last big win you had...On that final table down to the final two or three were you happy and thinking, i am really in a zone here, i think i'm going all the way,or were you angry and thinking, i'm going get this donks chips if its the last thing i do!!! Point is state of mind affects how you play the game, not what cards come. It's that positive thinking that allows you to stay patient and use controlled aggression when it's time to give someone a tough decision. It's a zen thing.
I think you nailed it. Last night I played in a $3 rebuy on ps, 4460 people in it, I got on a roll, was in the zone, played well. I was happy, positive thinking and envisioned the final table, not the money, not scared I'd screw up and not make it, I saw the final table and me sitting there playing at it.
6 1/2 hours later we were on break, I ran to do some laundry, packed a couple things real quick for kids leaving to their grandparents this morning and started thinking of the million other things I had to do. Came back from break feeling stressed, played badly, shoved all in with a marginal hand against chip leader (bad move, tired, stressed). I was no longer in the zone and happy and picturing the final table, I was thinking of the stuff I had to do to get my kids packed to leave in the morning. I busted out (in 26th place, which is still very good but I could have made the final table). It was a pretty stupid thing to get up and start doing stuff, took my focus off the positive thinking I had going in the game.
