Psychology and Poker 


Lately I have bought in for 20-30 big bets (BBs) when playing a live limit game (two racks) as opposed to starting with one rack (10-15BBs) 

If you play any limit game at a casino most players buy in for a rack of chips. While one rack is plenty of chips and has enough big bets for a couple of hands, if you happen to lose those first couple hands you will be sitting there with only a couple of stacks for less. Now normally you would buy another rack of chips but mentally you are down and feeling stuck because you had to reload. This might not be everyone's thinking but for me that's my state of mind after I lose my first few hands in a live game. What I have started to do is when I sit down is to immediately buy in for two racks. For me it makes me feel like I am not playing short. Even if I lose the first few hands I still have plenty of chips in front of me and can still play my game without feeling short. Chips are power in poker. There is just something about playing a hand against someone who has a ton of chips versus someone who doesn't.

So far since I started employing this idea for myself I have not had a losing session. This is definitely not a new idea since I have seen other players do this but I would recommend trying this especially if you are a tight player. Sometimes I don't play a hand for an hour since I sat down and I will be down the blinds so even though I haven't played a hand I am already feeling short.

Ultimately I am playing a little trick on myself mentally but winning poker requires playing at your best at all times. If all I have to do is start with two racks instead of one to improve my game then so be it. 

Posted: Tue - March 21, 2006 at 10:38 AM          

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