Cure For Nerves and or Shakes

[Jon MW]

probably the best thing to do would be to announce to the table: "look guys i'm really very nervous so sorry if i make any mistakes, i probably wont be bluffing to much and generally feel nervous about playing any sort of hands so go easy on me"

This is good advice.

I've done this two or three times and it's always paid dividends (perhaps slightly less obvious - you can leave out telling people you won't be bluffing much, but add more emphasis on being a beginner and not having played very much maybe).

[madasahatstand]

Disco

I would advise listening to Reddogs advice and not take medication. You are experiencing anxiety because its a new situation and as you expose yourself more and more, the shakes will reduce.

If, as Claw asked, you are anxious more often that just at the poker table, talking therapies are the first line treatment. If talking things though with friends doesnt help, then heres a great resource www.livinglifetothefull.com/ . Its an online Cognitive Behavioural programe that helps you re-train your thinking. It is effective for the treatment anxiety and depression so if the problem is wider than poker, this site is for you.

Its good to hear people sharing their experiences. It normalises anxiety and helps people talk about it. Thats therapy in itself.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Mad

[Dingdell]

Bachs Rescue Remedy ftw.

[Ironside]

one thing dave isnt is new to poker i remember meeting him in the vic back in 2004 when he knew everyone and i knew no one

i cant see how the shakes would be down to nerves and newness to poker

having said that NEVER take medcine for things that arent life threating

i wont even take sleeping pills dispite doctors always trying to give them to me cause i cant sleep

[madasahatstand]

Bachs Rescue Remedy ftw.

Yup that works too for some, maybe a shot of whisky would be just as effective

[Dingdell]

Bachs Rescue Remedy ftw.

Yup that works too for some, maybe a shot of whisky would be just as effective

But just stick to the Rescue Remedy if you're nervous before your driving test..... Lol.

[madasahatstand]

Bachs Rescue Remedy ftw.

Yup that works too for some, maybe a shot of whisky would be just as effective

But just stick to the Rescue Remedy if you're nervous before your driving test..... Lol.

Lol, good idea !

[pokerfan]

Anyone remeber the "Hoover from Vancouver" Bill Werbenuk? 1980`s snooker legend couldnt pick a cue up without taking beta blockers and supping 16 pints of lager. in fact he was so tez without the beer he was able to claim it as a an essential buisness expense on his tax return. The blockers reduce the heart rate so work a treat in snooker where the steady hand is key to success, unfortunately for Bill they banned em and im not sure he ever played again.

[vegaslover]

typical response would be to expose yourself to the cause of the shakes(playing poker) as often as possible. If you played poker previous to your 'sabbatical' and didn't suffer from the shakes, then it's probably some form of social phobia that has developed. Give it a few weeks.
Oh, and don't listen to anyone offering Valium. Stuff hasn't been made for years.

[bolt pp]

Oh, and don't listen to anyone offering Valium. Stuff hasn't been made for years.

then wtf has dodgy dave been selling me down the pub everyweek?

come to think of it my anxiety hasn't gotten at all better but my halitosis has cleared right up

[vegaslover]

It's just wording Bolt. Valium stopped being made after the license ran out, and therefore competitors could produce generic form much cheaper.
It's obviously commonly available under the generic name of Diazepam.
For most medications generic forms are the same, but for others they are different, and provide different effects.

[amcgrath1uk]

Vodka + coke before I play... control my breathing.. tends to work..

experience definitely helps!

[lucky_scrote]

Breathing techniques work for me for golf, tis what the sports psychologist got me doing.

[Chompy]

Girl I was involved with in a big hand at the Venetian the other day blushed to a ridiculous degree. After the hand she said she always does it when she's in a big pot.
I said I'd assumed it was just because she was in a hand against me. She declined further comment.

[MANTIS01]

Move to San Franciso. There is a much better chance of an earthquake there than in Britain. Once you have settled into your new life formulate a plan to get to the casino quick in the event of any earthquake measuring Richter 4 or above. Hey presto, you will appear normal and calm. Immediately get involved in every hand, start jammin pot after pot, steal & re-steal like there's no tomorrow. When the quake subsides snap-call for a rack and get outta there quick. If you fumble your chips into the tray at this point then so what.