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Coping with Stress in Poker. Part 2

• 30.06.2025 12:09 pm
• headhunter
• 0 Comments

We recently looked at the stress, frustration and their psychological and physiological effect on us – particularly, when things don't go our way in poker.

Here, I'm taking an in-depth look at stress as well as the accompanying emotions, and probe deeper into exactly what happens in your body and mind while playing poker.

Yeah, yeah… I know. The ol' professor issue again. I just can't help it. Nevertheless, hang in with me and you'll get a few tips to improve your game.

Starting Off With 2 Key Points

1.     Stress is a good thing. It's like any other emotion.

2.     Different emotions can be aroused by the same level of stress

I realize those may sound somewhat complicated but don't you touch that back button.

Actually, the story it is not that complicated. In fact, it will give you new insights into the game and the reasons why you may be better than some of your mates in some areas but not in others.

Stress in Poker Is Just An Emotion

As we had earlier noted, research has shown that constant exposure to high stress levels is not good. Nevertheless, things are more complicated than that.

Stress can be a great motivator. It can make people pull off unbelievable feats that were hitherto thought impossible.

There are cases of parents ripping open doors of cars involved in accidents to rescue their trapped kids and later they realize they did it with a broken leg.

Amazing what we can achieve given the right stress levels.

Nevertheless, I'm sure you wouldn't want a surgeon with such stress level operating on you, would you? In such a situation you'd probably prefer someone who's is calm and collected.

 

The distinction is quite interesting. If your child was in a flaming car, the stressed out and raving parent would do; but the calm and collected demeanor of the surgeon wouldn't help much.

Adopting the Goldilocks Approach for Coping with Stress in Poker

These things are known as "interactions" in psychology.

The effect stress has on you largely depends on the interactions you have i.e. the task before you.

This interaction between the task's difficulty and stress has been known for the last 100 years. It is known as the Yerkes -Dodson law. Its named after the psychologists who carried out the research.

So what's the inherent advise? It's simple; adopt the “Goldilocks” strategy. This means you should get the stress levels just right; neither too hot nor not too cold just like the heroine of the story.

Being constantly on an adrenaline rush will impair your thinking. On the other hand lack of stress will stifle your motivation to get involved.

1st related thought:

Isn't it surprising that great  $5/$10 players sometimes get beat at the $1/$2 game. This is largely down to the fact that they are not under any pressure to perform. They simply don't care.

While they may feign ignorance of the underlying reason, deep down they realize that they probably don't care enough. Think of the calm and collected surgeon in a rescue operation.

2nd thought:

Again you find that $5/$10 pros usually get a whooping when they advance to $10/$25. This is because their stress levels usually go up a notch. They now care too much about the outcome.

It's more like the parent in distress performing a surgical procedure. The surprising thing is, it's the same game with the same player who happens to be a pro. The only thing that has changed is their decision making ability. If you asked such a player what they needed to change in order to win they would gladly explain the strategies they could implement but the fact is they are unable to as they have forgotten the Goldilocks rule.

The Same Stress Levels Elicit Different Emotions

Recall the experiment we went over earlier?

A group of students were given adrenaline in the pretext that it was a memory enhancing drug. Then some were put in a room with a funny character and the rest in one with one of the most depressive characters.

Later on those in the room with the clown claimed to have enjoyed the experience while the rest thought it had been totally horrible. The same drug and dosage was administered to all the participants; only the environment and their interpretations differed.

Simple Tips for Poker Enthusiasts

Junkies of the poker game should realize one thing; the interpretation you make of your emotions is equally important to the emotions themselves.

Picture this; You have flown half way around the world to participate in a million dollar prize poker game with thousands of others. Alternatively, you have gone on a Vegas pilgrimage to attend the WSOP or you've been invited to an underground club in New York where "KGB" is waiting for you in his undershirt.

Well, to be honest, I've been there and done that. Trust me, the situations had me really emotionally charged.

While at times I felt totally upbeat about the game ahead, other times I was anxious and feeling totally out of my league.

I can bet you a rack or reds that we've all done our best when we viewed the emotions positively.

Remember Goldilocks

Poker Tip: Whenever you unpack those chips with a group of pros or find 3 bracelets at the table, always remember Goldilocks.

It is surely not terror or anxiety, the rush of adrenaline isn't a masked death wish. It is anticipation; you are alert, energized, sharp and focused as a surgeon.