How to Combat Boredom in Poker

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One of the biggest enemies of poker players is boredom. You may have played the game for years and may even be a successful player, but the game does not excite you like it used to.

That’s OK! Most poker players go through bouts of boredom. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to combat boredom so that it doesn’t impact your bankroll.

Learn a Different Poker Game

One common reason poker players get bored is that they play the same game all the time. Often, they only play Texas Hold’em. No matter how much you love the game, it gets monotonous after a while. That’s why it is a good idea to learn other forms of poker.

You don’t necessarily have to become a mixed games player, but you should pick up at least a couple of additional games. Omaha poker is the first game many Hold’em players learn as it is similar and has a lot more action.

Another option would be to learn Short Deck NL Hold’em. The game is rapidly growing in popularity and now is a good time to start learning the game.

Of course, I am going to always advocate that you learn Seven Card Stud and other forms of Stud. This is the best option if you plan to become a mixed games player as Stud is an anchor game to all forms of mixed games.

Take a Break from Poker

When you get bored with poker, you’re prone to mistakes. Some players go on losing streaks when they become bored with the game. This can be because they are not trying as hard or because they are making bad decisions to try and make the game interesting.

Sometimes, taking some time off from poker is a great option to cure boredom. Some time away may reignite your passion for the game. I’ve seen many instances where players have taken time off from the game and come back to go on crazy winning streaks. If anything, it will all you a mental reset and allow you to come back fresher.

Take a Trip to a Poker Venue

Another common reason for poker boredom is the lack of variety in competition. If you are playing in the same home games against the same players every week, it can get boring after a while. Also, some players need to expand their horizons to grow as a player.

If you have the time and resources, consider taking a trip to a poker venue. You can go for a tournament series or play in cash games. If you’re a tournament player, I recommend trying out a series such as the WSOP Circuit to cut your teeth in the live tournament circuit. New experiences can help to cure boredom and give you a ton of stories to tell when you return to your normal home game.

Consider Playing Props

If you’ve ever watched poker on TV or streaming on PokerGO, you’ve probably heard poker players talking about props. Prop bets are side bets that occur during poker games. They are used to help add a little bit of excitement to the game.

Prop bets range from the color of the flop to someone winning a hand with 7-2 offsuit. The great thing about props is that you can customize them to suit your game, your bankroll, or even the personalities of the other players.

Note that prop bets can get expensive, so make sure that you can afford to play props. You don’t want to blow your bankroll or go into debt overplaying prop. Trust me, there are poker players that have done this.