In the new digital age, which is fast-paced and hyper-connected, distractions are everywhere and have never been so present. From notifications constantly pinging on our phones to digital advertising and social media feeds demanding our attention, it can be hard to find those moments of true focus.
This presents a challenge for some who play poker as they look to channel their skill and concentration for maximized returns in an increasingly interrupted and distracting world. Just how does this era of distraction impact a poker player’s ability to perform at the table and get the most winnings available to them? There is an increasing need for players to adapt to make sure they don’t succumb to temptations.
Impact of Technology
Poker has been a key factor in the astronomical rise of the iGaming industry worldwide. The digital realm of poker has seen a significant increase in traffic in the last decade, but this clashes directly with the amplified level of distractions that are present online. As the rise of technology has allowed for the more widespread nature of online poker around the world, from the beaches in Malaysia, to the mountains of the Alps and beyond, there has been a change in the way people are playing poker. The accessibility of online gambling has led to the rise in multi-tabling, an increase in the level of people playing poker, and a rise in the skill of pro players.
An array of temptations and notifications are present for people when they are at home, whether this be through social media, streaming services, or other digital distractions, they all pull people’s attention in and away from the task at hand. Unlike in a physical game of poker, where players have the chance to lock directly into a table, online poker can be played in the comfort of your own home, but at the mercy of these other distractions that may be present.
During high-stakes games and in tournaments, players can often experience ‘information overload’. With so much data available to them – pot odds, hand histories, opponents’ playing patterns – a preoccupied player who succumbs to the notifications and social media distractions present may struggle to focus. By missing the most important details that are present, the players can often struggle with decision-making and see a decrease in their ability to read opponents.
Digital Distractions vs Focus
As smartphones have developed over the years, they have molded the human brain accordingly and changed our attention span. Phones thrive on effective capitalization of instant gratification through constant streams of information, content, and the thrill of human connection on social media. This taps directly into our brain’s reward system, providing quick, yet fleeting, satisfaction.
However, when it comes to poker, this instant gratification culture can be detrimental. As a game of attrition and focus, the distraction of checking your phone for even a few seconds can cause your brain to be momentarily sidetracked by a burst of dopamine from your phone and cause you to miss critical moments of the game in poker. Any ping can threaten to cost you your chips. The breaking of the focus essentially opens the gate wide open for distraction to creep in and for other players to gain an advantage over you.
Put your mind to it
Whilst you might know that checking your phone during a tense game of poker is not a good idea, it can be easier said than done to stop these distractions. Recognizing it as a problem is your first step, the next is creating boundaries with technology to allow you to tap into your focus. Some of these boundaries could look like this:
- Implement clear intentions: eliminate the temptation by locking in and putting your phone on silent mode or in another room.
- Use technology to fight technology: Apps such as “Focus” or “Forest” allow you to block out distractions for a time set by you. This keeps your phone off-limits by gamifying the process by rewarding you for staying focused. Other methods of muting notifications can also be effective tools to use to silence your phone’s buzz.
- Create a successful environment: By setting up your workspace in a way that reduces external interruptions and ensuring that it is in order, you can maximise your chance of increasing your focus. Maintaining a clean desk space, closing background tabs on your desktop, and even lighting a candle are all ways of maximising your chance of increased focus.
- Remaining Mindful: Successful poker players rely on mental discipline to stay present in the game and keep on top of strategy and psychology present in any round of high level poker. In order to remain mentally disciplined, many players actively involve themselves in mindfulness practices through meditation, scheduled phone breaks and reflecting on games when they have finished.
Conclusion
Approaching poker with intention and having a pragmatic plan to deal with distractions is a surefire way to increase your levels of focus and prevent unwanted tangents in your brain from creeping in. Focusing on something as complicated and mentally demanding as poker requires deliberate effort. Despite having a constant barrage of notifications and quick information from your phone in the digital age, making that active choice to stay present and mindful of the task at hand is imperative.
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