If you keep up with my blogs, you know that I've been dealing with weeks of overall losing. I lost about 80% of my games over the last 2+ months during a time when I have been digging deep into a lot of poker books and working on my overall style of play. Last weekend, all of that losing finally came to an end.
On Friday night, we played just 2 games, but I got 2nd place in one of the games. I know that isn't a win, but considering that I was beaten only by Rob in that game, I viewed it as a success. My game was good. The next morning, I played in a 90-player full tilt poker tournament and got 2nd place there as well. That was fun because I was knocking out more players that the other 2 guys who were among the chip leaders throughout the tournament. I even eventually knocked out 1 of those guys at the final table. By the time it was down to heads up action, I was a 6 to 1 chip underdog and all I could really do was play super-aggressive and hope for the best. It was a good tournament though.
Finally, last night I was online playing Omaha Hi, while watching the NCAA national championship game, and ended up with 10 times more chips than I started with. Incidentally, I have more "play" chips now than ever before. So, that's cool.
Clearly, I'm looking for any little bit of positive that I can find leading up to my Vegas trip. I'll take what I can get. Whether it's for money or for fun, winning is way better than losing.
Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label poker losing streaks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poker losing streaks. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Friday, October 8, 2010
Texas Holdem Game Adjustments
I haven't written anything in 2 or 3 weeks. During that time, I have just broken even in Friday Night Poker, while having probably my 2nd worst game streak in over a year. My winning prior to that could best be described as total dominance, but I've been rattled by distractions that turned my poker brain upside-down. Lately, when I've won, it's been ugly and when I've lost, it's been a result of stupid play and an utter disregard for my own personal "rules". But, I've been lucky to break even.
I've used this down time as an opportunity to grow my game and I've made some mental adjustments that should be very helpful in the long-run. I have been playing a lot of online cash poker and I spent a few hours in the poker room at the Winstar Casino. I've also done my normal routine of watching every hand played on TV. A primary adjustment that I'm making is aggressive betting - raising and re-raising, but not only with predictably good hands like, KK, QQ, AA, or JJ. I've paid special attention to the game style of Tom Dwan. Now, I understand that his style alone probably is not going to have long-term benefits, but it does serve as a nice change-up. I might, for example, play 6-8 suited like it's a pair of Q's, especially in the right position. Unpredictability is another game adjustment that I need to make. This style of play should be particularly good for that change-up.
In the past, I've shown too many of my hands after winning hands and I've confirmed when other players called my hands correctly. That has to stop. From now on, I'll only show my hands if I feel that doing so has some strategic value. Otherwise, you have to pay to see.
Finally, I'm going to try to play fewer overall hands. I read once that Hellmuth said that you should only be in about 20% of flops. So, I'm going to fold a little more often, but I also read that when betting, roughly 50% of bets should be raises so that you're not playing against so many opponents in a hand. Both of these things will help me with unpredictability and aggressiveness.
Of course, we'll see how this ultimately plays out at the table. The distractions are mostly gone now. I'm acutely aware of my recent stupid game-play. And, I've run my losing hands thru my head over and over and over again. So, I think the winning should start back up again. We'll see.
Stay tuned.
I've used this down time as an opportunity to grow my game and I've made some mental adjustments that should be very helpful in the long-run. I have been playing a lot of online cash poker and I spent a few hours in the poker room at the Winstar Casino. I've also done my normal routine of watching every hand played on TV. A primary adjustment that I'm making is aggressive betting - raising and re-raising, but not only with predictably good hands like, KK, QQ, AA, or JJ. I've paid special attention to the game style of Tom Dwan. Now, I understand that his style alone probably is not going to have long-term benefits, but it does serve as a nice change-up. I might, for example, play 6-8 suited like it's a pair of Q's, especially in the right position. Unpredictability is another game adjustment that I need to make. This style of play should be particularly good for that change-up.
In the past, I've shown too many of my hands after winning hands and I've confirmed when other players called my hands correctly. That has to stop. From now on, I'll only show my hands if I feel that doing so has some strategic value. Otherwise, you have to pay to see.
Finally, I'm going to try to play fewer overall hands. I read once that Hellmuth said that you should only be in about 20% of flops. So, I'm going to fold a little more often, but I also read that when betting, roughly 50% of bets should be raises so that you're not playing against so many opponents in a hand. Both of these things will help me with unpredictability and aggressiveness.
Of course, we'll see how this ultimately plays out at the table. The distractions are mostly gone now. I'm acutely aware of my recent stupid game-play. And, I've run my losing hands thru my head over and over and over again. So, I think the winning should start back up again. We'll see.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Texas Hold'em: It Helps to Hit Good Cards
OK, so I said I was going to leave stupid at home last night when I went to play poker, and I did. Looking back on the night, I can't remember one stupid move (on my part). I was back to making calculated plays, at times even reminding myself not to play stupid. There were 9 people there last night, whereas usually we have 8. So, the card "rotation" was changed slightly. We also used 2 new decks. I'm not necessarily saying that these 2 factors had anything significant to do with the outcome of the games because we had winners in all 3 games. I'm just pointing out that we had some (minor) changes last night.
What I am saying is that sometimes even if you avoid playing stupid, you still need to get good cards at least some of the time. You need good cards in your hand with matching good cards on the board (at least sometimes). Last night, I got junk hole cards in what seemed like 80% of my hands. In statistics there is a term called "mode". This is the thing that happens most frequently - not an average - just the thing that happens more often that anything else. Well unbelievably, my "mode" cards were 2-7 off. I got that ugly combination 4 times in the 2nd game and 3 times in the 1st game. I also got 2-7 suited twice. Ordinarily that wouldn't necessarily be such a big deal because that kind of stuff happens. However, on top of getting 2 7 nine times, I also got just about every junk card combination you can think of. 8-2, 9-2, 9-3, 8-3, 6-3, and on and on and on.
An undisciplined player might get tired of folding and just start playing those cards. Believe me, it was tempting, but then what? Those are the worst statistical starting hands in poker. You could get lucky from time to time, but more often than not, you're just going to lose. I played patiently, folding one hand after another. And, I played frustrated, which like I've said before, is part of the formula to losing. I would occasionally get some decent starting hands: Q-J off, J-J, 9-10 suited, A-7 suited. Those never worked out for me though. It just wasn't my night. In Texas Hold'em, even the best players (and I am not one of those guys yet) need to get cards to at least build some momentum.
So, I got off the short-lived losing streak in game 3 with a win, but it wasn't very significant to me. Only 5 of us stayed for the final game, so I only had to deal with 4 other players instead of 8. I started hitting cards with a smaller card rotation and 1 of the guys had more than a few beers in games 1 and 2, so getting his chips wasn't the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It was a win, but it wasn't a good win.
What I am saying is that sometimes even if you avoid playing stupid, you still need to get good cards at least some of the time. You need good cards in your hand with matching good cards on the board (at least sometimes). Last night, I got junk hole cards in what seemed like 80% of my hands. In statistics there is a term called "mode". This is the thing that happens most frequently - not an average - just the thing that happens more often that anything else. Well unbelievably, my "mode" cards were 2-7 off. I got that ugly combination 4 times in the 2nd game and 3 times in the 1st game. I also got 2-7 suited twice. Ordinarily that wouldn't necessarily be such a big deal because that kind of stuff happens. However, on top of getting 2 7 nine times, I also got just about every junk card combination you can think of. 8-2, 9-2, 9-3, 8-3, 6-3, and on and on and on.
An undisciplined player might get tired of folding and just start playing those cards. Believe me, it was tempting, but then what? Those are the worst statistical starting hands in poker. You could get lucky from time to time, but more often than not, you're just going to lose. I played patiently, folding one hand after another. And, I played frustrated, which like I've said before, is part of the formula to losing. I would occasionally get some decent starting hands: Q-J off, J-J, 9-10 suited, A-7 suited. Those never worked out for me though. It just wasn't my night. In Texas Hold'em, even the best players (and I am not one of those guys yet) need to get cards to at least build some momentum.
So, I got off the short-lived losing streak in game 3 with a win, but it wasn't very significant to me. Only 5 of us stayed for the final game, so I only had to deal with 4 other players instead of 8. I started hitting cards with a smaller card rotation and 1 of the guys had more than a few beers in games 1 and 2, so getting his chips wasn't the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It was a win, but it wasn't a good win.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday Night Poker: Respect the Streak
To be honest with you, I'm a little embarrassed to be writing this. I've either gotten 1st or 2nd in 6 of the last 7 games I've played in at Friday Night Poker. I've actually gotten 1 or 2 in about 80% of the games I've played over the last 3 months. I really quit keeping score because I wanted to respect the streak and I've been in an incredible poker zone. You have to respect the streak, but I really like the guys I play with and at some point, I hope some of them win a game or 2, or at least get 2nd place and get a piece of the chop. That did happen tonight for my buddy Chris. He's been playing in the exact opposite direction as me over the last several weeks and tonight he got in the money twice out of 3 games, so for him, the losing is officially over. He's a great player so I'm pretty sure he's not getting back on the losing streak anytime soon. God help the rest of us.
But tonight - wow. In the first game, I literally ended up with ALL OF THE CHIPS. Chris said he's never seen that before and I hadn't either. So, there was no chop because I knocked out both of the last 2 players with a straight on the flop (from the small blind). It was pure brutality. Prior to that however, I was down to a very small stack just like I have so many times before. I lost a huge hand and donated a ton of chips, leaving me crippled (a position I have come to enjoy). So, I told that guy that I would be coming back to get them. I did. I got 'em all - every last one of them. I wanted to say I was sorry, but I wasn't. He was 1 of those final 2 players. I wasn't mad for losing my chips to him. That's not why I went back in after them. It was just a challenge that I made with myself. What a thing that was!
The 2nd game started like the 1st one ended. I got an early huge chip lead and ended up getting 2nd behind Chris who finally ended his losing streak against me. Game 3 was forgettable, but to be completely honest, I was glad to lose. I don't want to believe the hype. The game 3 reality check was a good one too. I played wild and stupid and deserved to lose, but stupid's gone now. We'll see what happens next week.
To be continued. . .
Lessons:
1. Don't play stupid!
2. Don't believe your own hype.
3. Respect the streak.
But tonight - wow. In the first game, I literally ended up with ALL OF THE CHIPS. Chris said he's never seen that before and I hadn't either. So, there was no chop because I knocked out both of the last 2 players with a straight on the flop (from the small blind). It was pure brutality. Prior to that however, I was down to a very small stack just like I have so many times before. I lost a huge hand and donated a ton of chips, leaving me crippled (a position I have come to enjoy). So, I told that guy that I would be coming back to get them. I did. I got 'em all - every last one of them. I wanted to say I was sorry, but I wasn't. He was 1 of those final 2 players. I wasn't mad for losing my chips to him. That's not why I went back in after them. It was just a challenge that I made with myself. What a thing that was!
The 2nd game started like the 1st one ended. I got an early huge chip lead and ended up getting 2nd behind Chris who finally ended his losing streak against me. Game 3 was forgettable, but to be completely honest, I was glad to lose. I don't want to believe the hype. The game 3 reality check was a good one too. I played wild and stupid and deserved to lose, but stupid's gone now. We'll see what happens next week.
To be continued. . .
Lessons:
1. Don't play stupid!
2. Don't believe your own hype.
3. Respect the streak.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Texas Holdem: How to Beat a Losing Streak
A couple of months ago, I ended a 6-week losing streak in Friday Night Poker that I was more than happy to see go. Prior to that streak starting, I had built some positive momentum of winning quite a bit more than I was losing. Chronic winning and chronic losing create very different psychological game play. It is my opinion that winning streaks are built by, quite literally, a winning attitude. Conversely, losing streaks are worsened and continued by a losing attitude. Until you realize you're playing with a losing attitude, you're going to just keep losing.
What is a losing attitude in poker?
1. You're easily frustrated.
2. You get upset, or even angry, more often than usual when other players suck out on the river.
3. You've lost your momentum and you no longer play hands like you were when you were winning.
4. You don't play the people as much as you play your cards, and you mis-play those.
5. You are irritated when you folded your hand (smartly) and realize that your hand would have won.
6. Your betting doesn't make any sense.
7. You literally think about all of the losing you've been doing more than you focus on winning this hand and this game.
8. All the talk at the table has you distracted and frustrated.
What is a winning attitude in poker?
1. You play relaxed and in control.
2. You play patiently, allowing yourself to fold smartly without looking back in regret.
3. You don't get angry when players suck out on the river because you are already aware of player tendencies at the table and you adjust your game accordingly.
4. You play the people at least as much as you play your cards, watching for trends, habits, and tells.
5. Because you understand how your opponents are playing, your betting makes perfect sense. You know for example that some people just won't be raised out of their card chase, so you don't make any critical errors.
6. You certainly don't think about losing, maybe not even winning because you are only thinking about this hand, building momentum, and not allowing your opponents to gain momentum.
7. You are not distracted by anything that is going on at the table. It's almost as if you have blocked that nonsense out and you're in a zone.
8. You never believe your out of it as long as you have a chip in front of you.
I love poker so much because of the psychology-factor. Sometimes it doesn't even matter which 2 cards you hold in your hand. When you've got it, you can win very often regardless of the strength of your hand. When you've lost it however, you MUST have a good hand to have a prayer for success. So, in my opinion, if you want long-term success in really anything, including poker, you need to think like a dominant champion. Believe you will win. Do everything just like you do when you're winning.
What is a losing attitude in poker?
1. You're easily frustrated.
2. You get upset, or even angry, more often than usual when other players suck out on the river.
3. You've lost your momentum and you no longer play hands like you were when you were winning.
4. You don't play the people as much as you play your cards, and you mis-play those.
5. You are irritated when you folded your hand (smartly) and realize that your hand would have won.
6. Your betting doesn't make any sense.
7. You literally think about all of the losing you've been doing more than you focus on winning this hand and this game.
8. All the talk at the table has you distracted and frustrated.
What is a winning attitude in poker?
1. You play relaxed and in control.
2. You play patiently, allowing yourself to fold smartly without looking back in regret.
3. You don't get angry when players suck out on the river because you are already aware of player tendencies at the table and you adjust your game accordingly.
4. You play the people at least as much as you play your cards, watching for trends, habits, and tells.
5. Because you understand how your opponents are playing, your betting makes perfect sense. You know for example that some people just won't be raised out of their card chase, so you don't make any critical errors.
6. You certainly don't think about losing, maybe not even winning because you are only thinking about this hand, building momentum, and not allowing your opponents to gain momentum.
7. You are not distracted by anything that is going on at the table. It's almost as if you have blocked that nonsense out and you're in a zone.
8. You never believe your out of it as long as you have a chip in front of you.
I love poker so much because of the psychology-factor. Sometimes it doesn't even matter which 2 cards you hold in your hand. When you've got it, you can win very often regardless of the strength of your hand. When you've lost it however, you MUST have a good hand to have a prayer for success. So, in my opinion, if you want long-term success in really anything, including poker, you need to think like a dominant champion. Believe you will win. Do everything just like you do when you're winning.
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