Adreanline, babies, and (maybe) poker
An excerpt from this week's poker log:
I am not sure how this will affect my poker game, but I noticed a glaring effect of adrenaline on the weekend.
Twice per year I host the C95 Baby Crawl at Market Mall in my hometown. Basically, babies of a certain age compete in heats of six babies throughout the day. The fastest baby of the day gets a $1,000 prize. There aren’t too many rules. And, every single heat I give the same briefing. At one end of the 15 foot course I get the babies lined up with their starters. At the other end, I line up the coaches (usually moms armed with something like a bottle or a balloon to incite he baby to “raceâ€). I look at the six coaches and babies and I say, “Your baby will start behind the line in front of you. I will say ‘On your mark, get set, go.’ When I do, your job is done. You let go of the baby and you are done. You do not touch the baby. You do not pat the baby on the bum or tickle the baby’s feet. You do not throw the baby half the distance of the carpet. When I say ‘go’ you let go and do nothing else.â€
I do not know how much clearer I can be. Yet, every single time I do this, of the six coaches AT LEAST two of them fail to follow instructions. They push their baby a little bit, or their baby is not behind the line, or whatever. These people are not actively attempting to cheat; they are simply incapable of paying attention to simple instructions. They can’t do it. Why? Because they are full of adrenaline and their hearts are racing and they cannot focus adequately on anything other than their baby, the coach, and the hope that they will win.
What does this have to do with poker?
When adrenaline is racing through your system you are NOT thinking clearly. You are NOT capable of making simple, correct decisions consistently. Be aware of your physiology and take care to guard yourself against the effect of adrenaline.
I am not sure how this will affect my poker game, but I noticed a glaring effect of adrenaline on the weekend.
Twice per year I host the C95 Baby Crawl at Market Mall in my hometown. Basically, babies of a certain age compete in heats of six babies throughout the day. The fastest baby of the day gets a $1,000 prize. There aren’t too many rules. And, every single heat I give the same briefing. At one end of the 15 foot course I get the babies lined up with their starters. At the other end, I line up the coaches (usually moms armed with something like a bottle or a balloon to incite he baby to “raceâ€). I look at the six coaches and babies and I say, “Your baby will start behind the line in front of you. I will say ‘On your mark, get set, go.’ When I do, your job is done. You let go of the baby and you are done. You do not touch the baby. You do not pat the baby on the bum or tickle the baby’s feet. You do not throw the baby half the distance of the carpet. When I say ‘go’ you let go and do nothing else.â€
I do not know how much clearer I can be. Yet, every single time I do this, of the six coaches AT LEAST two of them fail to follow instructions. They push their baby a little bit, or their baby is not behind the line, or whatever. These people are not actively attempting to cheat; they are simply incapable of paying attention to simple instructions. They can’t do it. Why? Because they are full of adrenaline and their hearts are racing and they cannot focus adequately on anything other than their baby, the coach, and the hope that they will win.
What does this have to do with poker?
When adrenaline is racing through your system you are NOT thinking clearly. You are NOT capable of making simple, correct decisions consistently. Be aware of your physiology and take care to guard yourself against the effect of adrenaline.
Comments
Working in television, I see this same thing quite a bit. An instruction is given to someone--in front of or behind the camera--and when the show goes live, the person completely forgets to do what they were asked to do. They don't mean to forget... it's not like it's malicious or even careless... they just get caught up in the adrenaline rush, and it takes over.
I've been a victim of poker adrenaline a couple of times--Event 4 in Vegas with a few tables left springs to mind--and it's a good way to throw away chips.Â
Do you make use of any of the Formula 1 racing flags for visual effect during the races? I'd think at a minimum you could use a checkered flag, but I can see the red & yellow striped flag possibly coming in handy too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/flags_guide/default.stm
Actually, the black and white diagonal flag (or the full black as appropriate) might aid in dealing with the unruly moms who are cheating. For the safety of all the "drivers", let's just hope that, if one of them is black flagged and sent to the pits, his/her mother is wearing a high qualitiy anti-perspirant.
ScottyZ
I never race babies, though. So maybe it is a little different.
I suggest a race course with a hairpin (or diaperpin) turn at the end of a shortened straight. That way, the mothers who launch their babies with illegal adrenaline induced baby boost, will force those who jump the start to overshoot the apex into the first corner. By going wide and fast into the first corner, they will let the slower but legal starters pass them easily. Of course, sand traps (or velcro) will be needed at the hairpin to slow down the boost babies before they hit the wall.
So many problems, so little time.........
I'm not sure how we got here and when it happened, but it just keeps getting worse.
I think adrenaline does play a huge part in the decision making process. For some it impairs their judgement as you have illustrated. For me, and I think for others the adrenaline is a huge help. It slows down time and allows me to go through a myriad of options in a second or two. So, I embrace it.
Just some random thoughts. Glad you're always throwing these things out there as they really make me think.
Cheers
Magi
Quoted magi's post, but answer is to no one in particular...
Funny you should mention it. I have a theory about that. lol
Over the years, I've also noticed people getting ruder, and
lying and cheating more too, etc etc.
I think it all boils down to the "one flaw of parenting."
Each generation always says they want their kids to have
is easier than they did. IMHO todays generation is the
culmination of that twisted but well intentioned desire.
They have everything catered to them now. PC's, cellphones,
new cars. I want.. I want.. I want..
Teach your kids the old way. Let them earn what they do get,
instead of giving in just to not appear mean or cheap.
Giving your kids everything really isn't doing them any
favours in life, or teaching them any lessons. It just
makes them self asborbed whiny little bastards who always
want stuff the easy way.
.02
Finally the explination of why so many fish ...