Poker warm up techniques?

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Poker warm up techniques?

Hi Guys,

I am just wondering does anyone here have a poker warm up technique?

I am noticing that I lose 2/3 buyins at the very beginning of a session and I don't start to make a profit until around 30/45 mins into a session. I think this could be due to the fact that it takes awhile for me to focus fully on my play.

Does anyone else here have that issue?

16 Comments

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jonna102 11 years, 10 months ago
Yeah, warmup is helpful.

I try to do things that put me in the poker mindset. Review a previous session. Watch a short video. Read an article. Sometimes music or meditation. Depends a bit on my mood.

Sometimes I'll also play a satellite or just 1 or 2 micros tables for a little while. By playing just one or two tables, it helps me start focusing on the little details while still having most decisions be automatic and easy. After a little while I'm up to speed, and can pick up the small nuances on more and more tables.
TheRaulrus 11 years, 10 months ago
If I play a morning session, I make sure to eat a healthy breakfast beforehand, and try to get a quick, but efficient, workout session in. I do the same if I play an afternoon or night session as well. Try to eat healthy and exercise before a poker session. It really does wonders. You'll be able to focus more clearly and possibly play even better. If you don't feel like exercising, at least make sure to eat healthy beforehand. Certain foods help the brain focus better such as blueberries, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and etc.

Hope this helps, and good luck to you.
ZenFish 11 years, 10 months ago
I also tend to splash a little early in sessions. I suspect it's an old habit from my LHE days (see lots of showdowns first, make good decisions later) which isn't really optimal for NL/PL games, but what can you do.

I usually warm up by reviewing my previous session before I sit down to play. Clears the mind and reminds me of things I want to get better at.

+1 on Adam's food advice. A light meal before sessions and healthy snack (fruit, veggies, nuts and such) during, if i play long.
Tom Coldwell 11 years, 10 months ago
I tend to just gradually add tables. That way, if I start off on 1-2 I have time to start thinking clearly and then, when I'm ready, I can add more.
Maddsoul 11 years, 10 months ago
Working out is a good option. Although, I work out at the end of the night right now, so not so much for me. But you get that good, focused feeling.
Sam Lang 11 years, 10 months ago
regular exercise, drinking a lot of water, no big meals before playing instead have light healthy snacks instead etc. all helps

perhaps you should start off before a session with 10-20 minutes reviewing your previous session and going over hand histories. not only should this get you more focused before you start playing and in a poker mindset, but will also help to improve your game
thestomach 11 years, 10 months ago
im backed so i read over the notes i took from my last coaching session with my backer. even if i know exactly what they say i just skim over and make sure its all fresh.

i also have an annoying habit of losing plenty of buy ins in my first couple k hands then spend the rest of the sesh trying to get evens. now i just dont look. i have a set routine and it is what it is. i will only quit if my mind is not right.
Nemquin 11 years, 10 months ago
In order to warm up before a session, I like to put on a warm sweater and crank the radiator up a little bit. Then I light myself a nice little jo... not really. :P

Seriously though, I have to admit I don't really have any pre-game routine. I make sure I'm not hungry, that I don't need to use the bathroom and that I have some water or tea to drink. That's about it. However, I think what the happy bunch are saying is good advice. Review some trouble hands, get into the mindset. Heck, even just observe two tables before you play. Also, even if it feels silly, do some pushups or situps or some jumping jacks before you play to get the blood flowing :)
ddr042 11 years, 10 months ago
5 to 10 min of quick exercise and a little stretching i find is great before a session as well. it seems to really calm the mind. i also like a little music before i start just to get be pumped in the mood especially after a long day of work. some time's you really need some motivation to grind for a few hours. one last thing i like sometimes, to start with 1 table at higher stakes. It seems to help me focus on my thought process a little more because of the pressure kinda ass backwards but works for me. after about a hours or so i'l drop the table and play my usual stakes but when you always play the same stakes sometimes your just a little to comfortable and over confident which tends to lead to some early stage spewing.
Ray Cobbing 11 years, 10 months ago
I always find going for a swim (Fortunate enough to have a pool in garden) or just some regular exercise routine before i start a heavy days grind sorts me out a treat.

If things are going well in a session i try and stay put as long as possible, otherwise just regular cups of tea breaks for me in between sessions :P

Yea that's right, I'm English if you had not guessed :)
luckydont 10 years, 4 months ago

At first I was doing quick overview of previous sessions in HM.
Then, after I read the book from Jared Tendler, I created an XML file in google docs.
And the last and final step was when I discovered how comfortable is pokerwarmup.com, I just put in all my variables there: my leaks and my tilt triggers and distracting factors, my mantra, etc and now every single session starts with this routine. Its like a pre-game check list, reminder from poker coach, and a session timer all together.
And it's free!

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