Don't blame the players - blame the game


24) Do you take notes on your game after a session? If, yes, describe.


That's easy. I don't take notes on my game after at session. I think about it and think about what I did wrong and right and what I need to work on. But no notes - it is all in my head.


25) How much is your evaluation of your ability as a player influenced by results? Describe.


Ouch that was a nasty question. I think way to much. I try not to be influenced and sort of  retain a steady confidence. I also try to measure variance to see 'how I am doing- hot and cold' but I still feel like a loser when I lose. In general I think my confidence is too low. I am struggling to feel confident even when I am on a long winning streak. But after at few days I usually manage to inject logic and accept my role in the poker hierarchy: Steady (but not really big) winner at the midstakes. Right now is a good example: I have been playing 10K hands so far this month and I am up around 2K (ok without being fantastic). But my all-in EV graph tells me that I should be at zero... And I have seen all the hands that tells this story (set under set, set vs. rivered gutshot (2 times!) and 5 times all-in with kings versus aces...) So I know that the EV-graph is not 'accurate', but it still bugs me a lot.


26) Do you exercise? If yes, on average how often and generally what do you do?


Yes I do and have been all my life. I go to the gym (pumping iron) around 3 times a week and I run 4-7 kilometers twice a week. I know from chess that staying fit is absolutely essential. I once had a very nasty shoulder injury and for 6 month I couldn't do any physical activity. During that period I dropped 200 places on the world ranking list... So stay fit!


27) How much do you sleep on average per night? Is sleep ever an issue? If so, describe. What, if anything, do you notice about your play on days when you don't sleep well or long enough?


I try to sleep 8 hours every night. Less than 6 is clearly not good. I used to have sleeping problems (could lie awake half the night), but it has improved at lot with age. In general I just stay in bed until I feel rested enough to go up (the benefits of a flexible work-life). I know that I do a lot worse when I am not rested - had jetlag for a month when I was in Thailand, Malaysia and Australia earlier this year and I had the worst result in 15(!) years... Sinking to a (chess)level that was lower than I imagined was possible. So when I don't feel really rested before a poker session I either a) don't play! Or b)  take it easy and play less tables and try to avoid marginal spots (knowing that win-rate will be lower but as long as it is positive...). 


28) Do you eat or drink anything when playing? If yes, describe what is typical.


Sometimes I eat something but in general I take a break to eat and then play on. I have found out that food with little or no sugar or starches are best - keeping the blood sugar level (right word?) as steady as possible. I drink water and coffee and sometimes a fruit smoothie, a protein shake or a diet coke.


29) Do you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use any other drugs when playing? If yes, what and how much on average? What effect, positive or negative, do you think it has on your game?



I quit smoking ten years ago and I am not coming back. At the same time I also quit hash and weed. I never did much drugs (tried cocaine a few times) and I don't like it (scares me). I do like alcohol (a lot) but not while playing. But sometimes when alone late at night in the office I do take a few beer or a glass of red wine at the end of the session (at 3 o clock where all the bad players come home from a night out, but I am really tired). I think that up to 3 drinks are Ok (actually it makes me better at poker and chess) From there it deteriorates fast and after, say 6 drinks my level is clearly lower.  But in general I don't mix alcohol and poker.


30) Do you have any medical illnesses at this time? If yes, how does it affect nay of the issues in question 5?


Nope - no illnesses. But my body is made of glass and I often have injuries even though I am very careful.


31) Do you have any current psychological issues that have been diagnosed by a doctor or someone in the psychological field? If yes, what, if anything, is your current treatment and how do you think it affects any of the issues in question 5?


Nope. I once had two sessions with a shrink and realized there wasn't anything serious wrong with me (I was definitely more normal than him...).


32) Estimate the amount lost per month as a result of the problems you want to address. Also estimate the percent of time you play your A-game.


Puff.. Tough. I was lost the first time I went through this questionnaire and time hasn't helped. But I think if I was absolutely mentally without issues... I would play at least 5-10 with a win-rate at around 4-6 bb per 100 hands. So it probably costs around 20K a month? I think I play my B+ game most of the time. Sometimes I suddenly feel like I can see through the


30) Do you have any medical illnesses at this time? If yes, how does it affect nay of the issues in question 5?


Nope - no illnesses. But my body is made of glass and I often have injuries even though I am very careful.


31) Do you have any current psychological issues that have been diagnosed by a doctor or someone in the psychological field? If yes, what, if anything, is your current treatment and how do you think it affects any of the issues in question 5?


Nope. I once had two sessions with a shrink and realized there wasn't anything serious wrong with me (I was definitely more normal than him...).


32) Estimate the amount lost per month as a result of the problems you want to address. Also estimate the percent of time you play your A-game.


Puff.. Tough. I was lost the first time I went through this questionnaire and time hasn't helped. But I think if I was absolutely mentally without issues... I would play at least 5-10 with a win-rate at around 4-6 bb per 100 hands. So it probably costs around 20K a month? I think I play my B+ game most of the time. Sometimes I action (it feels like I can hear what people think and what they have) but that is probably only 10% of the time.


Finished. Next up - my whole experience with tilt. And pls try to answer the questionnaire yourself - it really makes you think about a lot of things.    


Good luck out there