The Poker Athlete

[Natox]

Hey Community,
to be a professional poker player, you need superior game skill, a disciplined mindset for managing your bankroll and emotions, and a commitment to continuous learning and study away from the table. Success also requires having enough dedicated capital to withstand losing streaks, the discipline to find and play in profitable games, and realistic expectations about the long-term income and time commitment involved.

I'd like to explore this topic in more depth and divide it into different areas. One important area, in my opinion, would be personal physical fitness.

What do you think? I'm happy to receive ideas and help for everyday life.

Regards,
Natox

 

[Marcwantstowin]

Hi Natox.

I agree that physical fitness helps with the poker game. Some people don't have time to train, etc. This could be due to family or job, or lots of other" reasons.

Another very important measure to have is a Fit Mind". Without it, you will not achieve consistent good results. It is developing your own way of dealing with a bad beat or no call, or being stressed about something happening which has nothing to do with poker.

I look forward to some more details from you or from other members of the forum.

Marc

Edit: I don't think this thread should be in "General Poker", I think something like this should be in the community Hangout area. I will wait and see how many responses you get over the weekend, and if not many, then I will move it.

 

[Natox]

Hey Marc,
Thanks for your detailed answer. The thread was moved here by the admin, so I think that's fine.

Thanks for helping me with these topics. I also have a lot of theoretical knowledge about mindset, but I'm still lacking ideas and practical implementation for everyday life.

Greetings, Natox

 

[Natox]

I worked out some interesting news:

Mental and emotional health
Cultivate discipline: Develop the mental strength to handle bad beats and avoid "tilt" (playing irrationally after a loss).

Practice self-reflection: Be self-aware to identify when you're mistaking bad luck for poor play, and vice versa.

Maintain balance: Avoid playing for excessive hours straight. Take breaks, days off, or engage in other hobbies to prevent burnout and ensure a balanced life.

Develop emotional control: Avoid letting emotions like anxiety or stress from unhealthy habits like drinking energy drinks dictate your play.

Focus on long-term improvement: Continuously study the game and maintain a passion for it to stay driven through the ups and downs of variance.

 

[Jpatch]

Interesting! Your thread is more about life than poker. Balance. Healthy habits. Physical health. Mental health. Love.

I definitely agree about finding other hobbies and diversify your input of stimuli.

I personally take meditation breaks during sessions!

 

[Natox]

Hey Jpatch,
you're absolutely right. Distracting yourself, preferably with things that make you feel good, is very helpful. I also believe, whether you play poker more or less, taking this topic seriously will take you to the next level. No matter what field you're in.
I've been meditating for a year and a half, for a few minutes every day. It definitely helps, I just forgot to mention it

Thanks for partification

 

[Natox]

Hey there community,
i worked on another important area:

Taking breaks!
Taking longer breaks from poker is beneficial for recharging, combating mental fatigue, and maintaining passion, especially after long sessions or downswings. By that, I don't mean taking a complete break. My goal is to maintain a healthy gaming habit with sufficient breaks. However, everyone has to figure out for themselves how long these breaks are.
When you decide to take a longer break, consider it as a strategic tool to prevent burnout, improve emotional regulation, and allow yourself more time for studying and physical recovery. It can lead to better focus, improved decision-making, and a more positive mindset upon returning to the game.
I will give Feedback on my personal exp. at regular intervals.

 

[dreamer13]

Physical fitness in poker is essential for maintaining concentration and endurance during long gaming sessions, which directly impacts the consistency of results. Good physical fitness helps manage stress and maintain a clear mind, which is crucial for making informed decisions. For players, especially those who play in tournaments, it's important to develop not only mental but also physical skills.

 

[Ch3tz]

I agree, physical fitness helps with a sturdy mind and focus. Two attributes required when taking on poker as a professional

 

[Natox]

Physical fitness in poker is essential for maintaining concentration and endurance during long gaming sessions, which directly impacts the consistency of results. Good physical fitness helps manage stress and maintain a clear mind, which is crucial for making informed decisions. For players, especially those who play in tournaments, it's important to develop not only mental but also physical skills.

Ty, thats's a really helpful PoV. I also think these parts fit together perfectly. You cannot be a good player without that. The results are coming over time and with the correct approach you always win, even on bad days.

 

[Natox]

Hey there community,
i worked on another important area:

Taking breaks!
Taking longer breaks from poker is beneficial for recharging, combating mental fatigue, and maintaining passion, especially after long sessions or downswings. By that, I don't mean taking a complete break. My goal is to maintain a healthy gaming habit with sufficient breaks. However, everyone has to figure out for themselves how long these breaks are.
When you decide to take a longer break, consider it as a strategic tool to prevent burnout, improve emotional regulation, and allow yourself more time for studying and physical recovery. It can lead to better focus, improved decision-making, and a more positive mindset upon returning to the game.
I will give Feedback on my personal exp. at regular intervals.

I actually read (it's a german book) "Gelassenheit beginnt im Kopf" or "Serenity starts in the mind". I already read that 3 times and every time i'am glad to feal that something has improved. My attitude towards live has significantly changed and this book helps as an allrounder.
What i mean is: If someone is looking for life improvements (no matter what... don't forget, Poker is not the hole life), this one can help.
So an important point could be: Read more and play less 😀
The clarity and positive mindset, that are so easily conveyed there, is priceless. All we need is the necessary willpower.

 

[dompoker]

Hello thank you for your advice, I will make an effort to put it into practice.