Goals

[Fonzi]

Goals

It seems simple enough. You sit down at the computer, or in your favourite casino or card room. You play the same game that you always play, and you do about as well as you would expect on an average night. You've done this a hundred times by now, the pressure isn't particularly high. What are the chances that you'll burn out?

I give it even odds.

There's a fine line in poker. On the one hand, you need to care enough about results to keep you engaged and interested. On the other hand, you can't care too much about external factors, or you'll end up playing scared. If you aren't interested, you're going to get sloppy or try some thrill seeking. If you're counting every penny, you'll pinch them too tight and they'll slip away one by one.

The middle road involves writing down your goals and diligently working towards their completion. People who play this game tend to be naturally competitive. With only their own bankroll to track their progress, they often seek higher stakes far too quickly so that they can feel some sense of achievement. Instead of putting themselves under undue pressure with an insufficient bankroll, they should concentrate on solid goals that are achievable in 12 to 18 months.

My personal experience, and the outcome that I've seen many times when observing friends and promising hopefuls, indicates that revisiting a written list of goals can help a player to focus. Whether before a long session or after a string of setbacks, it is nice to remember exactly what one is fighting for.

Some examples of what might be on a newer player's list of goals:

? Slowly increase my bankroll until I can play comfortably at the next set of limits.
? Learn a new variant of poker at micro levels.
? Earn the respect of my peers at my home game.
? Prepare myself for a big event that I can comfortably afford with my bankroll.
? Enjoy myself.

No matter what your goals are, you should re-evaluate them every few months to see if they are still within your grasp. Sometimes, a series of setbacks will force you to revise your goals. Don't panic if this should happen! Just save your list for the future, and write out a new, more conservative list of benchmarks that will lead you to your original goals, in time. This will reduce your frustration significantly! It is only through a series of minor victories that you will eventually find the path that you can use to make your dreams a reality.

In time, your goals will become loftier. You'll be looking to prepare for major events, consistently pull down 1.5 big bets per hour or better, and break into more exclusive circles of poker players. That doesn't mean that you should stop writing down your goals. On the contrary: that list becomes more of a motivating factor than ever. It can become your mantra and your guiding light when things seem to be at their most bleak. You can't outgrow good habits, and goal-setting is an excellent habit.

Bill Ricardi ? Internet Gaming Guru

[MainStick]

As a poker Burn-out, it's a pretty darn insightful post.

Now to work on a goal and a plan to execute.

[rrauwl]

Originally Posted by MainStick

As a poker Burn-out, it's a pretty darn insightful post.

Now to work on a goal and a plan to execute.

Thanks man. I realized that goals were important just about the time when I realized that I was feeding myself better with my poker winnings, rather than my real estate business.

Bill Ricardi

[MainStick]

Well, it's 2008, seems like this post is relevant.

Time to set some yearly goals.

[Fonzi]

Stick, seeing how your goals and my goals are about the same, it's time we start challenging each other.

Goal #1 - Get in shape to sit in a chair for 14-16 hours straight for at least a week. (It's harder than you would think, by day 3 my ass and legs hurt like hell.)

Goal #2 - Win WSOP seats.

Goal #3 - Be more consistant.

I'll 99% sure that I will be playing the $1500 buyin on May 31st. Time to get cracking.

[Calmplay]

Originally Posted by Fonzi

Stick, seeing how your goals and my goals are about the same, it's time we start challenging each other.

Goal #1 - Get in shape to sit in a chair for 14-16 hours straight for at least a week. (It's harder than you would think, by day 3 my ass and legs hurt like hell.)

Goal #2 - Win WSOP seats.

Goal #3 - Be more consistant.

I'll 99% sure that I will be playing the $1500 buyin on May 31st. Time to get cracking.

Omg I see some pretty goals here and specially like the goal #2 good luck man

[Fonzi]

#2 isn't that hard, #1 is hard. Trust me.

By day 3 I had to go get a massage I was in so much pain.

[KingBorgo]

Sucks getting old, eh?

[MainStick]

Borgo - you'll know, sooner than you think.

I agree.

#1 is a biatch and it is on the list

#2 - win em or not, I'm in Event #2 also (going to set up hotel and the flight this week)

#3 - Need to play more hours. The idea of waiting for the mood to play - which is good advice, did not amount to a lot of play time this year.

[YellowRoses]

My goal is to play the ladies WSOP circuit event in Tunica, MS, but it is this Sun. and I am just a little afraid. I have never played in a live tournament. I am not afraid of playing holdem, just not sure about that being my first live tournament. Any advice guys. Need it soon though have to make a decision. The buyin is $200 plus $30.