Every online poker player should know how important it is to concentrate on the game and not let anything distract him. However, you will certainly get into a situation when you will be distracted during a game and this may cause you to even lose a particularly big pot. If you don't want that to happen ever again, here are some basic tips on what you should avoid doing while playing online poker as well as some things that can help you concentrate better.
No one needs a distraction while playing online poker. Just a few seconds of it and the hand in which we have already placed a lot of money could be lost. These three distractions are particularly bad and you should avoid them as much as possible while playing online poker:
1. Television
Don't watch TV while playing online poker. Not only will you miss the hand dealt to you, but you will also miss on a lot of info that you would get if you paid more attention to the game and less to the game you are watching on TV. I'm sure that you have enough free time for an hour or so of watching TV, so why use it now when you have your money hanging in the balance?
2. Phone
When it comes to phone, your mobile phone is actually a much bigger threat than your landline one. A lot of people like to send SMS messages or to talk while playing and this distracts them from their game. Now, no one is saying that you should turn off your phone, especially if you are expecting and important phone call, but you should at least put in on silent. That way, you will still get the call and you won't be distracted by constant ringing.
3. Third biggest online poker distraction is the WWW itself, that is to say, other websites. I can't even begin to name all the distractions on the web. From the social networks like Facebook or Tweeter, to listening to music on YouTube, or just simple browsing on Amazon, all of these can distract you from your game.
Okay, those were the three biggest distractions while playing online poker. Obviously, they are not the only distractions. Now onto the aides. Personally, I find these two to be of particularly good use, of course, you may find something else entirely:
1. Music
Some people find that music only distracts them, personally, I enjoy listening to a little background music. Of course, the music should not be noisy or it will serve as a distractions. Pick something that you enjoy listening.
2. Odds calculator
This handy tool can help a player to learn the odds for various hands. The newbies will find it particularly useful. When you've learned the different odds, you will no longer need the online poker odds calculator.
Of course, some people may find something else to be able to help them while playing online poker, but I find these two to be of greatest help while playing it.
