Benefits of Phones in Poker:
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Reducing Tilt: Phones can help distract players from past mistakes, shifting their focus to the present moment. This diminishes the tendency to get tilted.
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Increasing Patience: Phones offer entertainment or productivity during down time (such as waiting for a new hand), which helps keep players from rushing into unnecessary decisions.
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Fun and Growth: The device can be a source of entertainment, learning, or self-help, making the time spent folding or waiting more enjoyable and productive.
The “Now” Effect:
The key benefit of using a phone during poker sessions is the ability to stay present. The distraction it provides allows the mind to temporarily escape worries, tilt, and distractions from past plays or future fears.
The Benefits of Texting:
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Positive Energy: Texting can be +EV if the conversations are light-hearted and chipper. It helps lift the mood and maintains a good mindset.
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Emotional Reset: Even if texting brings on some drama, it can shift a player’s focus and help them regain composure if they were already tilted.
The Costs of Phone Distraction:
While phones provide mental breaks, they also risk distractions that can cost players vital information. Missing key reads or showdowns can lead to missed opportunities, such as the ability to bluff effectively or understand opponents’ behaviors.
Project Phone Fruit:
Tommy outlines his project to find a balance between using the phone for its positive mental effects while minimizing its potential to distract him from the game.
Four Key Changes:
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No Phone on the Table: Phones should be put away while at the table to avoid unnecessary distractions.
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No More Detours: Phones should be used with specific intent. Avoid mindlessly scrolling or checking notifications during hands.
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Efficient Listening: If using music or audio to reset, it’s used briefly and with purpose—no recreational listening during gameplay.
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Airplane Mode: When focused on poker, phone notifications are cut off to avoid distractions.
A Fun Poker Story:
The article ends with a humorous poker story about a couple in a poker room who are accused of cheating because of their seemingly suspicious behavior on their phones. However, the couple’s exchange turns out to be playful, and the tension is diffused with humor. This adds a fun narrative to illustrate how phones can also add lightness to an intense environment.
