ThePokerhaus.com

Well we’re officially into 2008, so it’s time to make some goals for the upcoming year. I’ve thought about this for a while and I finally realized what my most important goal is:

Emotional Stability

                What levels I play, how well I play, and how much I make I make in 2008 is all meaningless if I don’t achieve this goal. I think it’s my biggest leak as a poker player. I want to control tilting at and away from the tables. I tilt extremely easily while playing and that’s something I need to find a way to control. It’s going to be the hardest thing I have to learn how to do as a poker player. Fixing any other leaks like making too many hero calls is easy compared to how hard this is going to be. Another thing I struggle with that I need to fix is tilting after I’m finished playing. Often I’ll be angry or depressed and why should I play something that makes me feel that way? I don’t want poker to change my mood but that’s easier said than done. I’ve been unable to completely control my emotional stability since I started playing poker so it’s an extremely hard habit to break. Anyways, this is far and away my most important goal I need to achieve in 2008.  

Get Into A Specific Routine

                I play my best when I have a routine. When I feel like I don’t have to play, I start playing poorly and my results suffer. I’d like to get into a routine like the one I had when I was playing sngs. It wasn’t too specific but still forced me to play every day which I need.

Preparation

                Unlike in 2007, I’d like to prepare better. This includes anything from eating healthier to studying players’ tendencies before I ever sit with them. Also if I feel like I’m going to put in a long day of playing like on Sundays then I need to eat before I play because whenever I eat a big meal while I play, my focus and overall play drops dramatically.

Those are my three goals for 2008. Yes, I know they’re very broad but that’s because I hate setting specific goals. What if I say I want to play x number of Mtts for the year but halfway through I start playing Omaha cash games and start killin it? Should I stop just so I can achieve my goal? Of course not. What will be, will be. All I know is that I’m going to work very hard this year and what comes of it is not up to me. I can’t control exactly how well I do but I’m going to work very hard at everything I can control.

Good Luck In 2008

—Don—