Did an extended break from poker help your game?

[pseudoswede]

The title should've read "Did an extended break from poker help or hinder your game?"

I've decided to take a break from poker. No playing, no in-depth discussion, no reading, no watching it on TV--really just keeping my mind off of poker. I haven't decided how long, but I'm thinking about 4-5 months (maybe longer). Work and family will be keeping me very busy, so I actually doubt I'll miss it much.

If you've taken an extended break, did your game suffer in the beginning, or were you immediately winning home games again? Granted, 4-5 months isn't that long of time to be away...

[idh78]

In all honesty my brain can't take 4-5 hours off of poker, I have a boring dead end job where I spend most of my time reading cardplayer articles and such... I haven't even taken off 4-5 days in the past few months but my guess is your game will suffer somewhat...as far as jumping into home games and winning, I guess a lot will depend on how tough a game you are playing in.....

I think the single biggest thing to help my game was going through a long losing streak...it really made me a better player in the long run....

[coloradomrg]

I've had a few 2 month breaks... I figured I'd come back rusty, but came back better than ever afterwards. I'd have to think a little harder than usual at first, but thats never a bad thing when you make the right decisions.

[Vandal99]

school usually makes me take some time off... not really months strait, but I play much less than on break, its helped my game for the most part... I still read about it, think about it, etc, I just don't play much... I almost always come back as a better, more controlled player...

[sharKKiller]

breaks really help me...

[Timmay]

Helps with my relationship with my wife...which is a good thing.