I have taken this past week off from poker (besides 35 hands @ 4 max which I won 2 BI today).  From time to time, I think it is good to just string together some days where Poker seldomly crosses my mind.  I think it definitely refreshes me.

I have been playing poker for some time and I have really come to the realization that I love it and will probably play some form of it for years to come.  Poker has become less and less important in my life while the things that really matter to me have become more of a focus in my life.  I feel that I have grown a lot as a person and am continuing to grow day by day.  I have wondered from time to time whether knocking poker down on the priority list of life would cause me to want to quit the game altogether and use the time to do other things.  But I realize how much fun I have when I play and how much I can relate poker to life.

I now approach poker by intentionally avoiding the total in my cashier besides when I make my weekly recap.  I try to be completely non results oriented.  I focus on remaining present while I play and following through with my game plan (position, put players on ranges, play solid, etc.)  I also try to recognize mistakes and find the superior play either by thinking it through or posting/asking others.  Poker is a way to build concentration and be aware of and “in control” of my emotions, which are skills that are hugely beneficial to life.  Coming to this realization was actually a huge relief for me because it gave poker a higher purpose for me other than just trying to win money from other people.  Playing HU PLO in particular gives me numerous opportunities to control my emotions!  I feel that I could go on forever about the skills that translate from Poker to life (patience, decision making) , but these will do for now.  The money is a by product.

So, I will be back at it next week and hopefully today if I get a chance, which I think I will because I got the itch.  Til next time…