What do you do during downtime? Let us know in the comments. These weekly Open Threads are a great opportunity for me to get feedback from readers, so please participate.
Browse Forums - Typically will read 2p2 forums or other poker related junk such as cardplayer.com. Also track how my sports teams are doing on espn.com.
Chat - Talk to people about random things on AIM ranging from strategy discussion to railing a game.
TV - I have a TV tuner and watch sports games while waiting.
Chores - Typically online related things, such as getting tickets to a SF Giants game, reviewing my billing statements, or looking up start times for movies in the theater.
While I am waiting for games I typically don't force myself to do intense thinking, especially if I just finished a set of games. I like to give myself breaks from the game b/c when I’m playing I’d like to think I’m exerting more thinking and energy into my heads-up games more than the average "regular."
Yeah, I think I chat on AIM too much while waiting. I want other stuff to do!
There is little to no question in my mind that you are a devoted poker player interested in improving your game and taking it to a different level. While a number of blogs and discussion groups exist that have improved my game, I have found that I do not benefit from them nearly as much if tackled during my downtime, and the inevitable long waits that come from playing poker online.
You make some fantastic suggestions but i have begun going a different direction. That is to say, nothing else poker related when I am playing. As a freelance writer and poker player (not unlike yourself) I am not able to write fluidly in stops and starts. Rather, I use this time to apply for jobs at elance.com and other sites for the freelancer. It is a necessary evil to maintaining enough work, but something I can do in the background as long as I don't fail to proofread before sending.
Additionally, I use a good deal of my time learning Spanish through tapes and flash cards. I find that it has nothing to do with poker, and while frustrating at times, it causes a real separation in my mind and I feel less tired as the cards begin their runs towards horrible.
The books of Christopher Moore are just plain funny and I find I can reread them and keep myself in good spirits during a run of poor luck or bad cards.
Finally, I work out people's time tells by simply watching and observing. This is a huge key in online games and something much easier to work out once you have mucked your cards.
Great suggestions. Thanks.
Samuel Smith is the founder of Risk Oriented. He's a professional poker player and aspiring poker writer. His game of choice is HU SNGs, where he boasts an impressive 57% winrate. He's available for side-jobs like writing and coaching.
bigsaje April 26, 2010 5:18 PM
Articles - During most of my downtime, I work on this website. I've put in a lot of hours on this one so far, I hope it shows!
Books - I read poker books. Lately, I've been working on Sklansky's new book: DUCY? Exploits, Advice, and Ideas of the Renowned Strategist
Rush Poker - I enjoy Rush Poker. I like to think I make money playing it, but I probably don't. Still, I enjoy sitting at like a .5/1 Limit game on Rush Poker and donking around with ten or twenty bucks.
Strategy Videos - I've never been a real fan of strategy videos. I like DeucesCracked, though, for their Tommy Angelo videos. Bones also did a video for DC, called "Two Men Enter" which is a good primer to Heads Up SNGs. They used the RiskOriented Better Than Nash charts, so they know quality!
Meditate - According to some articles I recently read, meditation can aid in concentration, and it will almost certainly lead to a higher winrate.
Chores - Cleaning and cooking. If I think I'm going to have a lot of downtime between games, I make sandwiches for later, so that I won't have to stop my grind to eat.