How Do You Handle Extended Card Dead Stretches?

[Bawse]

I often hear players complain about being card dead during tournaments. While it's frustrating to go long stretches without playable hands, it's something every tournament player has to deal with.

How do you handle periods when you're card dead?

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

Being card dead is one of the biggest mental tests in poker. The mistake many players make is forcing it because they're bored. Sometimes folding for thirty minutes feels painful, but chasing weak hands is usually worse. It's frustrating, but rushing doesn't help.

 

[Bawse]

Being card dead is one of the biggest mental tests in poker. The mistake many players make is forcing it because they're bored. Sometimes folding for thirty minutes feels painful, but chasing weak hands is usually worse. It's frustrating, but rushing doesn't help.

I like to keep myself distracted with music or TV while playing online poker. A few beers or smoking weed can also help with the boredom. When I'm card-dead for long stretches, I'll look for good opportunities to take a stab at pots rather than letting my stack get slowly eaten away by the blinds and increasing levels.