Mindful poker

tw082

tw082

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I have been interested in the non-duality teachings for some time. Ever since I had an "experience" where I was aware of the union of all things as a young man. I have studied all the different teaching from gnostic to Buddhism to Tao. Until I found Vedantic philosophy a branch of Hindu teachings. If you ever heard of Ram Dass, this is what he talks about in his lectures and books. So I practice breathing techniques and meditation practices for all aspects of my life. I think it is especially useful in poker, well thats just a place where it is more evident to those unfamiliar. Its just as helpful in everything I do.

Like in life, we are not always dealt perfect cards -- certainly not in every hand. Learning skills that teach you the best ways to respond to adverse situations is an extremely valuable life tool. To do that with calm, patient, mindful resolve -- a "poker face" -- is a skill set that translates well in our daily existence. Calm resolve is not a show of weakness but of control and subtle strength. People often find themselves regretful of their behavior in moments where they lose control of their feelings and emotions. It is rare to hear someone lamenting over a moment where they kept their calm.

While there is of course an element of "luck" during any game, poker is way more skill and talent than luck. Anyone who plays often, knows its not like pulling a slot lever where pure randomness decides the winner,

To succeed in poker or anything else in life it helps to sit mindfully and observe those around him and make wise decisions about when and how to behave. When to take risks. When to be patient. Those basic positive skills are a great asset. Of course there are many ways to learn discipline. But over the years I have never discovered a practice that is as much fun or teaches so many diverse proficiencies as well as meditation and poker.

Mindful meditation is about raising your concious I.e. being more aware and relaxed. Your attention becomes more acute, stress dissipates, you act instead of react. I think it's a game changer for any poker player especially if emotional responses ever hinder your game.

The end goal of long time practitioners is true knowledge of self, the infinite love that permeates all. Which is also nice. But, for better self control and higher awareness the first stages of meditation are sufficient.

https://danielnegreanu.com/mindfulness-poker/


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martDdart

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My mindset is follow my gameplan no matter what,if I get a bad beat and afterward notice that I am not following my gameplan anymore I take a break and return when I am mentally in balance to stick to my gameplan .
 
tw082

tw082

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My mindset is follow my gameplan no matter what, if I get a bad beat and afterward notice that I am not following my gameplan anymore I take a break and return when I am mentally in balance to stick to my gameplan .
That is very intelligent, the purpose of breath control is to reset with just a few breaths at table and eventually not need the reset. One form of practicing control is the pendulum. Where you purposefully agitate your amygdala, (an almond shaped gland in the back of the frontal lobe. Close to center brain. It helps to be able to picture in your mind to focus on whatever your trying to affect),

By thinking of something that aggravates you greatly allowing yourself to be angry then focusing on this gland which is responsible for emotional swings and bring yourself to a happy state. Swinging the emotional pendulum. I know it sounds like woo woo tree fondling bs. However its way easier to dominate these things than you would think. All it takes is a little time and intent. Most people think its impossible to do it this way so never try.

There are several studies showing meditation practitioners having high levels of control over their brain while with EEG and FMRI tests.

These practices can have fast and long lasting effects on overall health of mind and body.

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Uncloggie

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This is an excellent topic, thanks for the link. I am on a journey of self improvement and learning. I have become much more spiritual as I age.
I moved to an amazing beautiful natural place and have achieved a much healthier mindset and environment.

I suppose it does help in poker, although I think in a higher sense poker is at best a meaningless waste of time.
Poker is really against peace and love, as it pits us against each other in the pursuit of the root of all evil, money. Maybe it really is the devil's game.
 
tw082

tw082

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This is an excellent topic, thanks for the link. I am on a journey of self improvement and learning. I have become much more spiritual as I age.
I moved to an amazing beautiful natural place and have achieved a much healthier mindset and environment.

I suppose it does help in poker, although I think in a higher sense poker is at best a meaningless waste of time.
Poker is really against peace and love, as it pits us against each other in the pursuit of the root of all evil, money. Maybe it really is the devil's game.
Yea I think its very common to become more spiritual as you age. One could right it off to a growing existential crises, due to our own death growing ever more close.

However, I think this is a bit simplistic. In my opinion experience and the wisdom that accompanies it plays just as big a roll if not bigger. Personally I was an atheist and a defender of chaos theory, more specific deterministic chaos. Until my late 20's, because I blindly followed science like theology. Instead of just the theory that it is. Due to it being taught as fact. Not realizing that a large percentage is based on huge leaps of assumption.

To me now, it's absolutely evident that random chaos would never lead to the existence of complex biology like the human brain, or even something much less complex.

However when I was young physics quenched my doubt with math and bs. They say our existence is 10 to the power of 200 likely. (a number our brains cant comprehend so we dont question it and they just pulled it out of their @#% anyway) So there is just x amount of universes to make ours mathematically possible.

Until I realized that is not how probabilities work. No, it means thats your chances every single time. Even if you have a google universes, your chances are 10 to the 200th power every time. Meaning it would never ever ever happen. The scientists spinning this crap understood this im positive. Not to mention nature does not work in such inefficient manners.

This one realization played a big part in me taking a magnifying glass back over science and coming to the conclusion its just another dogma. To be clear I am talking about "mainstream science". Not the scientific method. When it's used as defined these problems are non-existing.

As far as poker being "evil" for lack of better word. Like anything it can be. It's all how you perceive it. I try to look at it and all competition like I am competing against myself and all my other resulted attempts at said activity. Instead of looking at the others as nemeses. That type of outlook is not good for social health. Even though they push it on us hard from a very young age.
 
cwdignus

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I also see poker as a personal challenge, an exercise in decision making, of course my emotions become much more zen when I win, most of the games I participate in are freerolls when I reach the money it seems like a magical thing, winning money comes only from my knowledge of poker
 
Skot_Gy

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Great topic, enjoyed reading every post.
It gave me some directions to think about...
 
celinhanicolau

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Top players in the world frequently perform this concept of yoga and mental techniques on a daily basis to fully focus on their daily lives and achieve greater performance.
ex daniel negreanu, liv booere practice these techniques a lot.
 
oriole

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That’s a really insightful connection between mindfulness and poker! Staying present, managing emotions, and making thoughtful decisions are key both at the table and in life.
 
Toruk Makto

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I always follow a plan, the plan that doesn't work 😂😂😂
 
istbno

istbno

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Mindful poker is about staying fully present, managing emotions, and making clear, logical decisions at the table. It involves controlling tilt, focusing on the long-term process rather than short-term results, and maintaining emotional balance. Stay calm after bad beats or coolers. Keep attention on the game rather than distractions. Think rationally instead of letting emotions dictate moves.
Accept variance as part of the game and detach from results. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and structured breaks help cultivate mindfulness in poker.
 
Dimidrol2

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If you play responsibly, it's only a matter of time before you win. Poker loves the patient and the brave!
 
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