Yeah, I can see that. Sometimes it's good to have a little pre-show ritual to get you ready for when you're going to be on your opponent's clock. 😂 Personally I'd be stressing over the sessions where I got so comfortable I was making poor decisions in my own game. You don't need another reason for the variance that is poker! 🃏
Sorry, but I don't really see that as preparation. To me, preparation means doing something that helps you improve your game or stay focused, like studying previous hands, reviewing mistakes, getting enough rest, or having a clear strategy before the tournament. Smoking weed before playing might help some people relax, but I would consider that more of a personal habit than actual preparation. In poker, especially in tournaments, I think being focused and making clear decisions is much more important.
I try to keep it simple. Before playing, I make sure I'm rested, have no distractions, and take a few minutes to get into the right mindset. I remind myself to focus on making good decisions rather than worrying about the result. If I'm tired or distracted, I'd rather skip the session than play my B-game.
preparation usually comes before the game days...study articles, put yourself in that mindset.
specifically before the games...no real pattern...i suppose vizualisation or anything that makes youcalm would be worthwhile like any sport
specifically before the games...no real pattern...i suppose vizualisation or anything that makes youcalm would be worthwhile like any sport
My preparation is pretty simple. Before an MTT, I make sure I have enough time to play it all the way through, get some water, and clear away distractions. I’ll sometimes think about a mistake from a recent session so I don’t repeat it.
The biggest thing for me is checking whether I’m actually in the right mindset. If I’m tired after a shift or already frustrated, I’m more likely to force spots. No lucky ritual fixes that, so sometimes the best preparation is deciding to play another day.
The biggest thing for me is checking whether I’m actually in the right mindset. If I’m tired after a shift or already frustrated, I’m more likely to force spots. No lucky ritual fixes that, so sometimes the best preparation is deciding to play another day.
Nothing specific or anything that could really be considered a ritual. Time, coffee, water, and maybe something convenient to eat during the session. Other than that, I just hope the villain doesn’t have one of the 26 aces that seem to be in the deck.
Before playing, I like to have a simple routine rather than just jumping straight into the tables.
I make sure I'm well rested, have no major distractions, and have enough time for the session.
I also check my bankroll, tournament schedule, and decide beforehand what games/stakes I'm going to play.
For MTTs, I remind myself to play patiently, avoid chasing losses, and focus on making good decisions rather than results.
And once I'm at the table, I take a few minutes to observe the players before getting involved heavily.
Nothing fancy—just getting into the right mental state before clicking “Register.”
I make sure I'm well rested, have no major distractions, and have enough time for the session.
I also check my bankroll, tournament schedule, and decide beforehand what games/stakes I'm going to play.
For MTTs, I remind myself to play patiently, avoid chasing losses, and focus on making good decisions rather than results.
And once I'm at the table, I take a few minutes to observe the players before getting involved heavily.
Nothing fancy—just getting into the right mental state before clicking “Register.”