yogo9
Visionary
Bronze Level
Change comes through repetitive small actions. Make a game out of improving your focus and concentration by giving yourself specific goals to meet and then slowly increase your goals. For example; I'm going to observe the next 3 hands without being distracted. I'll test myself at the conclusion of each hand by recalling the action by position of each player. eg Button raised, the small blind 3bet, BT called. The SB Cbet and then check-called the turn and folded river. No showdown.
If you can do that for 3 hands in a row, whether you're involved in the hand or not, you will have developed your observational and concentration skills, and you'll be alert and focused. Then shoot for 5 hands, etc.
You must manage your mind or it will manage you.
As far as advice on how to keep track, you need to pick the main factors to focus on and keep them in the same order so you develop a pattern.
-Players position and their line of action
-Board
-Bet sizes
-Specific cards / hands shown down
It takes great skill to do what you're doing - while you're doing it!
If you can do that for 3 hands in a row, whether you're involved in the hand or not, you will have developed your observational and concentration skills, and you'll be alert and focused. Then shoot for 5 hands, etc.
You must manage your mind or it will manage you.
As far as advice on how to keep track, you need to pick the main factors to focus on and keep them in the same order so you develop a pattern.
-Players position and their line of action
-Board
-Bet sizes
-Specific cards / hands shown down
It takes great skill to do what you're doing - while you're doing it!
Dimidrol2
Visionary
Platinum Level
There is also such a thing, but try not to concentrate too much in the early game. Most likely, this is when the game does not go as it should, because if you play according to your game, then time runs unnoticed.
takinitSLEAZEE
Legend
Bronze Level
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I think I can help you make some lemonade here. If you're pretty certain you're good in 3-hour sessions, might I recommend playing sit-n-go's, if you prefer trnys to cash. Depending on whether it's a turbo, hyper, or regular blind structure they usually last only 90 mins at best. You can easily play a couple. If you multi-table, then getting in 4-8 (in my case) games per session, possibly cranking up your ROI by 400-800%. GL man.
C
Cooking
Legend
Loyaler
I remember that when I started I could play for more than 7-8 hours and still be 100% focused. But in the last few years, after 3 hours I'm also very tired. When I'm playing a important tournament, I try to drink coffee, wash my face on the breaks and use all the time I have to make a decision.
black and
Legend
Loyaler
I think it comes with time, with experience. I can play well for the first 3-5 hours, then the loss of concentration, patience and mistakes begin. But I very rarely play for more than 5 hours in a row, so this is not a particular problem for me.
ShaDoWGuarD
Rock Star
Bronze Level
I also have the same problem then I play fewer tables and watch videos at the same time. This way I make fewer mistakes and play more carefully, but I wouldn't say it adds to my concentration. But in my case, I know from experience the most important thing in poker is not to make gross mistakes.
Claudiunm
Legend
Platinum Level
I really liked this topic. All suggestions were important to me. I will try to apply them as much as possible.
I think the most important thing is to find out why you lose focus after 3 hours of playing. If it's just tiredness or if there's some mental block bothering you. Make the most of your breaks and when you are in bad positions, such as UTGs, consider leaving the game and doing something else for a few minutes and then returning to the game.
I think the most important thing is to find out why you lose focus after 3 hours of playing. If it's just tiredness or if there's some mental block bothering you. Make the most of your breaks and when you are in bad positions, such as UTGs, consider leaving the game and doing something else for a few minutes and then returning to the game.
MishkaZL
Legend
Platinum Level
Music helps me. I can stay focused for 5-7 hours without much difficulty. Of course, all this depends on my psychological and physical condition, but I have already repeatedly convinced myself that music improves my endurance and concentration. I usually listen to music on my favorite YouTube channels and prefer music for rest and relaxation.
E
Ellya-ya
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I played a 5h two-day tournament, it's very hard, but what do you think?
mr.fers_one
Rock Star
Platinum Level
it's already hard to keep your concentration, five-minute breaks really help you relax and distract yourself... if it weren't for the breaks, it would be hard considering the late stage of tournaments, where mistakes can be costly.
rhoudini
Visionary
Platinum Level
All of previous posts are right, and each one contributes with one or another fundamental aspect of focus. Let me try to add this: first, have in mind the amount of time you can focus. Then, you can start building and getting stronger.
Take a day just for training your attention: load a lot of micro sit and gos, for example, maybe those of $0.25 with 45 players at pokerstars, or maybe a lot of freerolls (because you would not lose anything), and play with maximum attention and try to keep it. Also, when tournaments goes for break in the end of each hour, you also need to stand up and walk away from the computer; don't be sitting for long hours, enjoy the breaks, maybe change the room you are at in your house, and then come back with your focus renewed.
Register the amount of time you could focus with ease. And try to grow this number. If you can't focus for 55 minutes straight (because the point is to ewnew the focus at the break), you should load some 9-players SnGs on PS (they last 45 min) and you could train your focus.
Also, avoid distractions: people, other sites, cellphone, etc. Many people say to keep the mind clean, but you need to keep your pc clean too.
Take a day just for training your attention: load a lot of micro sit and gos, for example, maybe those of $0.25 with 45 players at pokerstars, or maybe a lot of freerolls (because you would not lose anything), and play with maximum attention and try to keep it. Also, when tournaments goes for break in the end of each hour, you also need to stand up and walk away from the computer; don't be sitting for long hours, enjoy the breaks, maybe change the room you are at in your house, and then come back with your focus renewed.
Register the amount of time you could focus with ease. And try to grow this number. If you can't focus for 55 minutes straight (because the point is to ewnew the focus at the break), you should load some 9-players SnGs on PS (they last 45 min) and you could train your focus.
Also, avoid distractions: people, other sites, cellphone, etc. Many people say to keep the mind clean, but you need to keep your pc clean too.
Sullivanryn88
Rock Star
Silver Level
For me, in any MTT games, it's an investment whether small or whatever, so I always do my best to have my personal space at home, and solely focus, after years of ups, downs, fish and donks and everyone's different play styles, I amazingly still stay engaged fully. Also as long as I seem to be doing well or better in the game it enhances myself