I hope everyone else’s holiday was as good as mine. My wife does a turkey treatment with herb butter tucked under the skin so it gets really crispy, and the cavity stuffed with lemon slices and herbs to infuse the meat with a variety of flavors. Add in all the sides and dessert and there’s a reason my waistline is what it is.

After my overeating-induced nap/coma in the afternoon, I was wide awake as the evening progressed. So I ended up playing a couple of mixed games online after the kids went to bed. I’m not really sure why I was playing. There was no burning desire. The games were a buy-in or two lower than what I usually play, so I couldn’t make or lose anything that could affect my bankroll. I was more interested in “Dirty Jobs” on Discovery Channel. I bricked about 17 7th streets in various Stud 8/b rounds, which is never good for the bottom line.

So what was I doing? I don’t know. I’m a big believer in every action having a purpose, and here I was, dropping a few big bets to some of the worst players I know online for no good reason whatsoever - other than an obligation to play when I have the time to do so.

There are a lot of times when I end up playing out of obligations of one form or another. Maybe I need a couple more days to maintain an FPP status or earn a store item I’d like. Or I want to experiment with a new strategy. Or just the fact that I should stay active playing poker because I write this blog, and articles for another site.

None of those are good enough reasons to play your A-game, and I’m sure I suffer in some ways for it. I know I’m not alone, either. I would never dream of comparing my place in the poker industry with, well, anyone who’s actually IN the poker industry. But when I see a Howard Lederer or Taylor Caby making the rounds at the World Series, playing because they’re supposed, I feel a kinship. I get it. The trick is to stop it.