OUTSIDE FACTORS CAN INFLUENCE POKER PLAY

How different nationalities play? What can be the impact of the external events on a player’s ability to function well at the poker tables? Because of these quirky player surveys, Everest Poker an online poker operator made a name for itself.
After the six months study, the company found out that there are several factors that affect the poker players’ performance. Such factors include live TV, some social factors and sometimes even the day of the week.
Ed Pownall, PR and Events European Manager for Everest gave a situation as an example. There were two first timers who in their aim to save money on accommodation costs flew on the day of the live event, instead of choosing to arrive a day or more days earlier for them to be able to relax. Within their first hour of playing poker, they were already busted out, tired and stressed. Even a personal life can be a measure of how a player gets on in tournaments. There is one team player that ended last year with three final tables in three months. When he split up with his girlfriend, he went into early exit just months beforehand the final tables.
It is also proven that live tables covered by television broadcasting can also give the players the jitters. Mariken Hogenhout, the Everest Poker Dutch Event Coordinator says, “I have seen many players playing well, looking relaxed but when faced with the TV table they suddenly play far too tight. This is because they are aware every hand is being analyzed and they do not want to be considered fish!”
Another factor that can also upset player’s rhythm is a table that gets “broken up”. Clever players can already realize that they are on an outside table, which can be broken up quickly. A little time can be wasted assessing their opponents. Other really clever players would initially ask the tourney director which tables are to be broken up early.