I've been thinking randomly lately about certain emotional aspects of poker--one thing I'd like to explore is what people really are wanting to do when they sit down at the table as well as what they fear (the two are definitely related).

But I thought I'd at least start with my own emotional states. Well, the obvious fear is losing. Like most people here, what I want to do when I sit down is win--hence, I fear not doing that. But, if you play right, that generally takes care of itself.

More specifically, though, I notice that I get scared most when I raise--particularly when I have AA. There's no definite scare card out there on the flop, barring straights or flushes. But I usually feel REALLY relieved when everyone just lays down to my continuation bet. I feel much more comfortable coming from behind (set, etc.) and needing to hit my hand to continue with it.

In actuality, I think the fear of losing and the desire to win are both slightly misplaced.

I'm tempted to say that one's fear SHOULD BE the fear of making bad plays (to go with the desire of making good plays). And, just to continue the question of raises, etc., you have every right to take the initiative with certain hands. And you are actually hoping that a few people will try to outdraw you, etc. And I think the trauma with AA is that laying it down or not is simply a question of whether or not you believe them. So, the question of good play or bad play is how well you can answer that question correctly in the particular instance.

I also think it's worth looking at some fears and desires of others: A bluffer/LAG wants (desires) to make others lay down their good hands and fears getting caught (sheriff is his worst nightmare).

Actually, a calling station is pretty fearless--I guess he fears missing his draw, but he seems on the surface very "courageous." No, I take that back. He has one huge fear: Laying down a possible best hand. He's totally scared of doing that.

Also, back to my own fears. I'm often scared of the flush, etc., want the board to pair, don't want the board to pair, whatever. But I think that's also not really the right relationship to the way the cards are coming. I think it's really much better to just BE OBJECTIVE in evaluating and re-evaluating the most important aspects of poker situations and then choosing the appropriate actions among the available options.

My biggest fear is laying down the best hand. I do this about as much as anyone, I guess. This comes from ego and not from being a calling station. Poker Tracker rates me as a gambler.

My second fear is making the wrong decision. This goes along with folding the best hand.

You can not be a winning poker player if you can not fold the good hands when you feel that you are most likely beat.

When I find a player that calls my value bet bluff and wins with a very marginal hand I put notes on him that I should value bet this player.

Another fear is embarrassment by making a dumb play.

Desires are simple - play the best that I can all the time.

Ais....the line you said about AA and having fear when you hold it is spot on. Ironic as it is...to have fear when you hold the best possible starting hand...but so true.

I find that this is only the case when I play live. I am (for the most part) fearless when I am playing online. But when I sit down at a live table I turn into the coward that I am. When I raise, which is rare in itself....I am hoping everyone folds and I can just take the blinds. If someone calls my raise then I am on my knees praying they fold to my continuation bet. Even if I hit my hand...for instance I have AK and raise from LP get 1 caller in EP. Flop comes A 9 3 rainbow. EP checks, I BTP and he calls. Immediately I fear that I am beat by a set or 2 pair and just want to get to a quick showdown. However like you said, when I am the one calling the raise, I am not nearly as "scared" as I would be as the raiser.

Online I am fearless....Live I am a gutless wonder....got to love this game.

I agree that when I am a caller I have less fear than when I am the aggressor, betting or raising.

I think that this is a natural emotion. It's why the action junkies are how they are. The adrenaline is pumping when your are the aggressor. You act and wait for a reaction. When you call you are just reacting (especially if you are last to act). That round is over.

You bet your Aces and your are putting yourself at risk of a raise or even a call.

When I get a big pocket pair EP in a live game that is when the fear starts to creep in.

That is why they say that it takes courage to play no limit hold'em.