If I'm honest with myself, I play my B game much more than I play my A game these days. I know I have significant leaks. I can play very weak tight during these stretches, then burst of inopportune aggression can cost me. The only saving grace is that at the low levels I play, I am still winning playing my B game. These days, I find is quite difficult to fully concentrate and avoid regular interuptions. Even when I am alone, there are always business things weighing on my mind.
During my interview with Alex 'Traheho' Torelli last week, we had an interesting discussion regarding playing life balance and playing your A game. In an effort to play more hands, so many players play B, C and D versions of their game as they grind away the hours day after day. Some become robotic in their moves. Others become dull or distracted. The more tables you play, the more routine it all becomes.
Alec's assertion was that you can have a higher BB/100 if you play less. If you take more time away from poker, when you do play, you will be clear headed, and motivated. You play better when you are happy. So it's important to take the time to develop a satisfying personal life. While everyone has different priorities, it's key to balance time in and away from poker. Focusing on friends, family, hobbies, sports and work are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Certainly grinding massive hours can produce superior profits, but at a significant cost.
Being happy away from the tables can provide a great deterent to tilt at the tables. I notice that when I'm running poorly at the tables, I'll often think, 'geez, not one more thing going wrong, i can't take it'. This can lead to very poor decisions as you chase losses or beats. Everything suddenly seems so unfair. If your non poker life is going positively, you can more readily walk away. Call it quits. Poker will always be there. It's not worth forcing yourself to play if you aren't going to play well. You can save yourself money that way, instead of costing you lost winnings.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I've felt pressure lately, because on top of funding elements of Poker Curious from my bankroll, I am now funding the freerolls we have been hosting. They are popular and people want more of them. Thus I have felt the need to squeeze in play time. But I'm constantly distracted and interupted and haven't been playing great. Thankfully, I can still win at the low levels I play, but there is more variance and frustration. Fortunately, Poker Curious demands most of my attention which limits my time to play. But I completely appreciate and understand Traheho's perspective on life balance and poker. Why not play less, but feel confident that when you play that you will play your A game and reap the rewards.
