#18: Come evenings, IPL 2025 or online poker?

#18: Come evenings, IPL 2025 or online poker?

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season is in full swing, and for many of us, that means a direct collision with our prime evening grinding hours. This isn't just a casual entertainment dilemma; it's a potential hit to our bottom line. For professional poker players, maintaining focus during this high-distraction period is crucial. So, how do we navigate the roar of the crowd and the allure of the sixes without losing our edge?

Professional perspective: Maintaining peak performance

For those of us who rely on poker for income, the IPL 2025 season presents a unique challenge. Distractions can lead to costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and a decrease in overall win rate. Here's how to stay sharp while also enjoying our favourite sport and supporting our favourite IPL teams:

• Dedicated grinding sessions:

  → Treat your poker sessions like any other professional commitment. Minimize distractions by creating a dedicated workspace.

  → Utilize noise-cancelling headphones to block out external noise, including the TV commentary.

• Strategic session planning:

  → Analyze the IPL 2025 schedule and plan your sessions accordingly. Consider playing shorter, more intense sessions during crucial match moments. If you play tournaments, consider shifting to afternoon/early evening tournaments on match days.

  → Use the IPL's innings breaks as structured breaks in your poker sessions. This allows for brief periods of relaxation without losing complete focus.

• Bankroll management discipline:

  → The IPL season can increase emotional volatility. Stick strictly to your bankroll management rules. Big NO to chasing losses or making impulsive decisions influenced by the excitement of the cricket.

  → Bankroll is especially more important now since there’s the added urge to spend some money in cricket betting, other sports engagement games, and fantasy sports apps like A23 Games. 

• Mental game mastery:

  → Practice mindfulness and meditation to improve focus and concentration. This can help you stay present at the tables, even when distractions are high.

  → Develop mental routines to reset your focus after any external interruptions.

• Data driven play:

  → Continue to use your HUD and tracking software, if any. Do not let the IPL distract you from the data that is being presented to you on your screen.

• Tournament selection:

  → Consider playing tournaments with faster structures or short-handed games. This will allow for more breaks and less long-term focus needed.

  → If you’re well rested, you can play poker sessions after the IPL games end by around 11pm IST.

Blending entertainment and profitability:

While maintaining focus is paramount, there are ways to enjoy the IPL 2025 season without sacrificing your poker game:

• Audio-only IPL: If you're determined to follow the cricket, rely on audio commentary. This allows you to stay informed without the visual distractions. Or, you could even try the opposite of video without audio.

• Scheduled IPL breaks: Use hourly poker breaks to check the match scores or highlights. This allows for short bursts of entertainment without disrupting your flow.

• Routines to be maintained: Prioritize sleep and nutrition. Maintaining peak physical condition is essential for mental clarity and focus during extended grinding sessions.

Stay focused, stay profitable, and may your winning streaks be longer than a Virat Kohli century! See this tweet above that we posted for those like us who may be caught in a dilemma during the IPL 2025 season and post your votes as well.

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