Jared Tendler's Mental Game Forum

Too much studying

Page: 1

User

Post

6:00 am
July 29, 2010

greengo1

Member

posts 10

Print this Post

Hey Jared,

First off I'm glad that you got into poker. I have watched a lot of your videos and have learned quite a bit.

Dusty talks in his book about a 80/20 rule for play to study time. I actually have more time to study than I do for playing. Its probably around a 60/40 or 50/50 study to play ratio. The bulk of my study time is dedicated to reviewing my sessions and I will add in a little video watching, forum discussion, article/book reading on top of that. I am not able to add more time to my playing schedule but I was curious if I am not getting 100% out of the time that I am studying.

Also I have found that I am able to concentrate 100% on the hand review for around 40-50 min. After that I have noticed that I am going through the hands much quicker and putting in much less thought. This also happens when I am at the tables but to a lesser degree and I am able to go longer before this starts to happen. You have written in a lot of responses in this forum that you need to push your brain just as you would your body, the last reps are the ones that matter. But is there a point that it becomes counterproductive? Is my goal to push myself to the point that I am able to focus 100% for as long as I can or push myself as long as I can even after I have a drop off in concentration? Is the second example counterproductive or does it still show a benefit but in a lesser amount?

If you have any other helpfull ideas or thoughts on studying I would appreciate it. It seems that everybody has their own opinion. I like putting in the work I just would like to know that I am taking as much advantage as I can of my time.

Thanks for the help

Bryan

5:59 pm
July 29, 2010

Jared

Admin

posts 72

Print this Post

Thanks man, I'm glad I got into poker too, I've learned way more than I could have imagined.

Can you push yourself too much, yes. Burn out is a real concern mentally, just as it is physically. One thing you might consider is taking stock of how hard of a day your mental workout was in total between all poker activity. So on a day where it's really hard maybe bc your tired, or tilted, or for whatever reason – take that challenge into consideration when deciding how much to push yourself. If you want to make gains, you do have to push yourself, but it is a balancing act that requires skill. Skill that you can build as you pay attention to how much your can push yourself on a given day, and how much you can do over several days. If you push yourself hard one day, then hard on the second, then ease off on the third, or push hard again and then take a whole day off on the 4th.

Try things out and see what works for you. Really there is no ideal way that's cookie cutter. You just have evalute, take notes, and be flexible/adjust. Over time you'll build the skill or muscle to know what works for you, the answers will come automatically.

Is this to vague or is it what you were looking for?

5:24 am
July 30, 2010

greengo1

Member

posts 10

Print this Post

No its not to vague. And it would be nice if there was some cookie cutter answer for everything which obviously is not the case, ever. And as I 'm sure that you are aware everybody learns in a different way. I think the hardest part is having the faith that what I am doing is correct. When you don't have any one to walk you through the steps or looking over your shoulder you can second guess yourself as to what you are doing is the best way or even beneficial at all. The same with working out I am sure it takes time for you to see the benefits but they are not as concrete as far as your ability to physically see the results, or they may not surface for quite some time.

My first concern was that I would be just wasting my time if I was studying when I was tired or wasnt able to concentrate 100%. My second was I am trying to find the most effective way of spending my study time.

Thanks for the repy Jared

Bryan

1:58 pm
July 30, 2010

Jared

Admin

posts 72

Print this Post

Great, yw.

Not having anyone to walk you through it is a major reason why poker is very difficult. It's not like you're in school to become a lawyer, or a doctor where if you follow directions, and work hard you can make it. Give this a try, see how it goes, and feel free to stop back when you have other questions – or to give me an update on how it's going. I'm always interested.

Best,

Jared

Page: 1

You must be logged in to post	Login Register