When you start to lose interest!

[waltypies]

Just recently i have started to lose a bit of interest in poker and wanted to know if any of you guys have had the same experience and wanted to know what you guys do to get the spark back!!

Any ideas guys and girls?

[FirePhil]

Play less and read more, seems to work for me.

After a while you lose interest in reading and can't wait to get back to playing.

[trustme]

Pretty much what Phil said. Been in the same place a couple of times already over the last couple of years. Take some time off, pick up an old hobby or something and get back to playing poker when you want to.

I have found that I improve when i start playing again too.

[DonkBox]

What they said ^^^^^

However one pitfall of reading a lot and then playing again, at least in my expererience is that I want to play too many hands.
I've got no idea if having a break from poker will work as i don't get that option.

[badders]

go fishing

[Prowler]

he does enough of that AT the table!!

[Matty H]

I don't know how much time you spend playing online, but I found having a total break from online poker worked for me, although I have to admit that I've never really lost interest in poker in the 3 years Ive been playing it

[PokerWoody]

It's just poker! I've been through this a few times before I now I just feel that if I want to play I'll play, If I don't I won't. I don't really care about it either way so much anymore but I will always keep my bankroll so I don't have to bother funding myself again.

Take some time off - go out more, drink more, screw more etc.

You'll be back, 'cause just like the rest of us - Your an addict!

[Raiser]

Going through exacaly the same thing myself at the moment...

So i will chat some shit for next few paragraphs and see if i strike a cord with anyone as i am sure it isnt just me!

Basically... when i play poker i have stopped enjoying playing. Recently i have had no respect for the money, the game, the people i play against (in terms of poker) and basically i ve been playing like a twat! And it all boils down to the fact i dont enjoy it anymore.

Also, i relised that poker may have been one of the reasons for losing a relationship - and i cant and wont let that happen again. There is more to life than poker ....and lets face it none of us here are going to win big or become pro, are we/you?

So, i have decided to step back from poker, ive stopped hosting games with B&SW group and stepped down from assistant organiser (what ever that is anyway!) & my goal for the rest of the year is play when i want to play and find the point i was at 6 months ago where i was enjoying playing and playing well... once i find that i will step back up again....

This time last year i played my first 'live' game with the LPL (then called tilt) and even though i felt i progressed from there nothing can take away from the fact that it was a bloody good laugh and it was back then also where i enjoyed playin - so iam off back to the LPL for three months to qualify for the WSOP and win my seat .....and hopefully refind the enjoyment!

So my advise ben would be chill out, take a step back from poker and DONT read any poker books...

Iam pretty sure you will find your appetite again and be back at the tables sooner than you think - probably a bit like me!!

....as woody said we are all addicted really! LOL

[Thor2007]

Do you only play NLHE? or hold em in general?

I aint been playing long but I get periods where I can't be bothered with hold em and have been on some omaha practice tables.

Jumped onto a .25 / .5 game and was quickly down $50 lol.

Gotta learn your trade somehow! Seems like all the pros on Full tilt poker are shifting from the boredom of hold em onto omaha and omaha hi/lo. Mike Matusow was quoted last night as saying that too many people can play hold em to a high level, so it aint really worth it for the pros online anymore.

Don't know how these guys can play the same game for so long, I know its a living for them but the likes of Gus Hansen are online almost constantly whenever I check.