Head Games: Simple Ways to Prepare for Playing a Session, and Balance Your Life and Poker

Sometimes it’s hard to get a straight answer from a professional poker player. Ask three players a question, and you’re liable to get three different answers. Why? Because it depends on the situation, opponent, stack sizes, table image, and many other variables.

Head Games will peer deep inside the twisted minds of today’s top players. We’ll reveal why they do what they do in sticky situations. Let the games begin.

The Pros: Jonathan Little, Tommy Angelo and Nick Schulman

Craig Tapscott: Before sitting down to play a session, what are some of the best ways to prepare yourself mentally and physically?

Jonathan Little: I try to always make sure that playing poker is the only thing I want to do. If I would rather be relaxing, playing video games, or snowboarding, I simply do not play. I try to do enough of the things that I enjoy in my free time when the major tournaments aren’t happening, so that when they roll around, I am focused and ready to play. Another thing worth mentioning is that I try to get a lot of sleep every night. I have found that when I am tired, I play poorly, and, in general, don’t want to play. If you would rather be somewhere else, your mind won’t be in the game.

Tommy Angelo: What works for me are clear skies. If I’m caught up on my obligations to myself and the universe — if my time is all mine — that’s big. And rest. When I’m well-rested — and I mean really well-rested, not just telling myself that I am — that can make a huge difference in how I feel and think when I get roughed up or run hot or whatever at the tables. And food. I don’t eat too much at one time, before and during a session. And then there’s all the stuff I do to get myself mentally and physically prepared before every hand (I play only one table at a time), such as aligning my spine and limbs symmetrically in a relaxed and dignified manner while observing the ins and outs of my breathing. Anytime I remember to do that, I am at maximum possible readiness.

Nick Schulman: Playing poker can be taxing, both physically and mentally. When I’m at a tournament, my goal is always to get seven to nine hours of sleep, try to eat right, and get to the gym. I used to have a total disregard for these things, and my results suffered from it, especially around day three or four of an event. Your body is spent after three 10-hour days of poker if you haven’t been taking care of it.

Staying both focused and content mentally can also be a challenge. Casinos offer a plethora of distractions to take you off your game, and I’ve found it to be very beneficial for my mind to avoid them. Excessive drinking, pit gambling, and clubbing can suck the life force right out of you, and hurt your poker game tremendously. Nowadays, I’m trying to meditate in the morning, drink a lot of water, and maintain a deep focus on my opponents’ tendencies throughout a day of play. This helps me to stay sharp and immersed in the game. I also try to lay off using my phone while playing, so I usually turn it off. Total immersion in the game is key for me.

Craig Tapscott: Sometimes it’s hard to tear yourself away from the tables, and before you know it, you’ve spent a week with no sunshine and no contact with family or friends. What tips do you have to balance your life with your love of poker?

Jonathan Little: Luckily for me, I have never had that problem. Once you realize that the game will be there tomorrow — unless you play super high stakes, where it might not be — you can freely start and quit whenever you want. If you see yourself doing nothing besides grinding poker, try setting a schedule. Write it down and stick with it. Currently, I live with my girlfriend in New York City, and I make a point to play only online when she is at work. Sure, I may miss some value here and there, but I get to play poker eight hours per day if I want, as well as spend lots of time with her. It’s the best of both worlds.

Tommy Angelo: Did you say “love” of poker? I think of it more as lust. And as for the poker cave, I’ve been there a thousand times. OK. Tips. Don’t tug on Superman’s cape. Don’t spit into the wind. And for heaven’s sake, close down those tables and Skype your mother! Seriously, though, if you are an out-of-balance, cave-dwelling poker junkie who longs for a life of physical health, mental health, and balanced activities throughout your days and weeks, there’s no easy way out. It’s like being overweight. The problem is going to take some time to fix. And then there’s the problem of keeping it fixed. We step back, we look at the big picture, and guess what? It’s ugly. So, look at something smaller. Installing upgrades to our poker balance is a lifelong operation that can be performed any hour of every day, one choice at a time. For example, online, you might try separating your poker-playing time and your online socializing time now and then, and see if that improves both. Or, when you’re going to go play live, you might instruct your buddy when he’s on his way to bed, “Come by my table when you wake up, and if I am still playing, please dump a glass of water on my head.” Little stuff like that can make a big difference over time. We really can learn how to be more in control of our lives today than we were yesterday — and then do it again tomorrow.

Nick Schulman: I really wish that I were more adept at applying what I know. Balance truly is everything. The funny thing is, everything improves with balance once you’ve built a foundation. In poker, especially cash games, you have the opportunity to make money somewhere at every waking hour, especially in the Internet age. It becomes tough to pry yourself away sometimes, but it’s so important to do so. Maintaining a sense of balance and normalcy is a big key to my being happy. I’ve gone weeks without calling my mom, brother, or friends, and it’s brutal. I live my life in kind of a strange way, because I’ve found that I struggle with this exact question. Basically, I go super hard in poker for a month or two, and then I play very infrequently for a month or two after that. That way, I can focus on maintaining a healthy outlook on life, catching up with loved ones, and exercising. I also have a love for playing pool, and recently became a partner in a poolroom in Manhattan, where I live, which is great. Having outside hobbies is very important for poker players. All I can say is, good luck, everyone!