Play Smart and Be Prepared

Sometimes when we sit down to play poker we are not always in the correct frame of mind for the task at hand. I know there have been a few times when I sat down that I had absolutely no business sitting at the table.

Your mind is wandering and you have everything swirling through your brain except what your hole cards are and what the last bet was. Now you are at a severe disadvantage and your bankroll is even more vulnerable.

So how do you know when you are pushing your poker limits?

Here are red flags that should signal when it is not time to play poker:

1. You are unable to concentrate and keep your mind clear
2. You are worried about another pending issue unrelated to the game
3. Your cell phone is constantly ringing. (If you cannot turn it off then you should not play if it will turn into a disruption at the table)
   
4. You are tired and have not had a sufficient amount of rest
5. You have not eaten properly before playing

Each of these scenarios can potentially throw you off of your game. This does not mean that you cannot function at the table but it does mean that most people cannot function optimally at the table. That is what the game of poker is all about. It is about performing at the peak of your abilities. Anything that falls short of that is a potential threat to you and should be treated with a great deal of caution.

Remember, the bankroll you are protecting is your own responsibility and no one else's. If you don't do it I can assure you somebody else will.

"Discretion is the better part of valour" -Falstaff