Am I the only one getting bored with poker & the Forum

[Bob B]

Hi there Guys and Gals. This is gonna sound like a "Dear Abby column" but, lately I seem to be getting bored with the whole NPL poker thingy, writing on the Forum and even playing in a Freeroll tourney.

A few seasons back I was playing 4 to 5 games a week and enjoying it. Then I dropped down to a couple of games a week and I even changed from the NE region to the B&G hoping I would have a change of heart. Last week I couldn't be bothered going to the Kingy so I watched poker on Fox!!!!!!

I used to play so damned tight and prided myself for making the points and final table on a regular basis. A couple of seasons back I made the top fifty and also made top 5 in 3 of the largest venues Roulettes, P'Gardens & Para Hills. Now it's the opposite and I seem to have lost that touch and enjoyment towards the game.

Even when I'm in a tourney and have a good stack it seems that after the second break I get bored and waste my chips just to get out of the game.

And as far as the forum goes I think I've only posted arounded 20 or so times in the last few weeks. That's really sick, coz those of you who know me know I luv a good topic and a bit of stir job from time to time.

Am I going through a phase?

Is it just me or are there others out there who are having the same problems?

I can't wait to hear your comments (you know who I'm refering too)

[bennymacca]

bob, i definitely feel the same way at times, especially when you aren't winning as much as you would like.

my advice is to take a few weeks off, or even a few days off, and then come back. i find that it makes a massive difference.

[Brett Kay]

Leadup to Christmas here, so can't do much of either.

As for the feeling bored with poker, take some time off, get that feeling back and go and enjoy yourself.

Maybe its time for you to evolve your game too Bob. Got to remember people will adapt and change their styles, so what might have worked 6 months ago, probably won't work nowadays. E.g Crazy finnish betting on anything and getting paid off when the hit two pairs compared to the old betting on the best hand.

[Bacon]

bob, i'm glad to hear u are waiting for my opinion.

I don't play much, if any npl game now, mainly because i'm saving for an os holiday, and justifying $30 for free poker versus breaking even/small loss or profit online doesn't work for me.

I'm trying to improve my game playing online and working out the percentages a bit more regularly. It means playing a lower range of hands, but i feel i'm playing smarter.

Giving poker a break worked in the past for me. The passion comes back mate.

[Chelsea4thewin]

yes Bob i have been in the same position as you, i have dropped my games to max of 2 per week and dont take my poker too seriously, i really just go for the social aspect now, the two venues are the bombay bicycle club and the paradise and both times i sit on tables where i know people and can have a few drinks and a laugh while i play

if i get a win or even points it doesnt really matter too much, would rather spend my hard earned on something else besides NPL

[AceLosesKing]

I can only back up what everyone else has said Bob - take a few weeks off so you can get that passion back for the game. If you're forcing yourself to play poker you won't enjoy it.

I'm the same Bacon, lately I've concentrated on my online game rather than NPL. I still play around 2-3 games a week though (dropped from 5), for the social aspect. I enjoy seeing everyone and having the ability to play live poker when I want. If you are out to do well in poker, NPL ain't it - there are easier ways to win $10k (state finals) or satelitte into tournaments. That's not to say that NPL is crap, just to take it as what it is: free pub poker.

Its good fun, but there are times when you start to think to yourself why you keep going every week. Take some time off Bob, come back when you're refreshed and you want to go see your friends.

[David]

I used to feel a buzz, or a thrill when I was on the way to play. It was so enjoyable, and exciting. I was nervous with anticipation.

And like anything, the more you do it the more it becomes routine and the easier it is to get bored with it. I guess you have to work out how you can change it up for yourself.

The main part of the NPL I like now is the social aspect. This is the reason I have forum sections for sport, and other non-poker chat. Just like when I play a live game, I like talking about things that aren't poker as well.

Even though I'm not playing much, if at all, I like coming here to see what people are up to, keep in touch and put a word in.

Things like the freeroll on Sunday are what it's all about

You ARE still coming aren't you Bob ?

[Nevah play JJ]

Hiya Bob,

Your post didn't seem like a whinge to me at all and it is interesting to note the amount of people that are and have gone through the same feelings as your going through now.

Personally, I have stepped back from the forums for a bit because they basically became about play that we all see on a game to game basis and frankly I don't want to read about them and live them.

As for poker, yeah, I agree, but for me I still love playing and really look forward to getting to the venue to play with people I feel have become friends.

Unfortunately it is at the point now where the wankers, chip bullies and just stupid play becomes so intolerable that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game.

However, I have recently managed to talk my partner into playing, the only downsideis the amount it costs us to stamp up. But with him comming along and playing I am finding a new enjoyment for playing, (but the poor bastard can't win, I don't want him to come to every game.. lol).

Hang in there Bob, it won't be long and the love for the game will return, maybe do as the others suggest and take a bit of time away, no doubt it will only help you develop a love for it again.

[Alex Kidd]

Dear All,
I have just started reading a new poker book Kill Everybody the sequel to kill phil , and have found that the new tactics have reinvigourated my poker playing whilst I am trying these out .
I also take the book to games and pose problems for the players so everybody is learning (Mr rcon)
As they say knowledge is king.

[bennymacca]

i found that just playing different types of game helps a lot.

until recently, i was a NL holdem tourney player, and that was it, even online.

lately however, i have been playing cash games quite a lot. the strategy is different in cash games compared with tourneys, and i found that working out these strategies helped my game a lot. i think i play a lot smarter in tournaments now because of the cash games i have played, and this means i am enjoying poker a lot more lately