I decided to adopt a schedule.
My days off are usually Monday and Friday; I set time aside for poker on those
days. Regardless if I get suck out on or I make a donk move, it does not affect
me.  I think planning ahead is a great idea and having a solid pregame
routine is important. The times I go on tilt are my impromptu poker games after
work-where I have not focused mentally before hand.  I already planned and
bought into a few “mini ftops” events, which are still weeks away but I am
focusing on them now. +1 pregame routine

But after reading this thread I got to thinking that a lot of my preparations are physical, and although it helps mentally by not having to think about being dirty and wanting to be clean mid session, or by not having to worry about food because you already took care of it, that I need to start also preparing more mentally. Luckily for me I have already started this process and am now seeing even more importance in it. For a few months now I have started several sessions with a training video or a podcast to help create that learning, correct decision mindset. And more recently I started taking poker lessons, I have taken seven lessons in the last three weeks and scheduled them all one hour before my session. I have also been trying to get my chat group more proactive in HH reviews and am also trying to schedule them one hour before my session. I think starting my day learning and talking poker is really motivating and helps you hit the ground running.

I really want to improve and am glad I read this thread, I think being mentally prepared could help a lot of people.

THANKS

I belive the pre Game Routine is one of the biggest leaks of MTT player, or especially in Australia where we have to wake at 4-6am to start the Majors. A lot of MTT players I have worked with that dont have this problem, still seem to be extremely inconsistant with their preperation for a session.

The Pre Game Routine I focus on in my Video Series, is about trying to decipher what happens from a neurological and emotional state when you are playing your absolute best. Once we decipher this, we then begin to spend 15min clearing your mind and placing you in your Peak Performance state. This will help you feel focused and in the zone in the first 15min of a session, which is a lot more profitable a period than most players see.

Sometimes this is because they are taking advantage of spots that in the past they were not ready for, as well as not spewing off chips in spots they generally wouldnt when they get focused.

So if players can improve the quality of their Pre Game routine, I will go out on a limb and say they will notice a positive change immediately 😉

Jamie - I would love to hear your thoughts on how to PREPARE mentally for an online session or a big tournament.  What can we do to get our head straight before we even sit down and play our first hand?

Thanks!  Excited to have you as a part of the TPE community!