aggie
02-16-2006, 09:59 PM
I don't post or read in this forum nearly enough. But this is an email to a friend that may be worthy of some discussion on 2p2. Any advice, comments, slanders, low blows, insperation, etc. are all welcome:
...I'll get back to the LAG/TAG discussion but first let me address the comment that I made the other day: "My life as a pro has been challenging thus far." Basically this is a subject I rarely talk about but I think it will do me some good to lay it out there. Don't worry. I am making some money - but nowhere near the amount I think I'm capable of.
I have said to you that I don't ever think I'll become a great/elite poker player. My memory is poor and my on the spot decision making is never crystal clear. That's okay though because my opponents in general play very, very badly. I believe my technical poker knowledge is far greater than that of most of my opponents (on average) and I also believe that my innate 'feel' for the game is above average. While I can always improve the technical aspect of my game the area that I struggle with the most is the psychological aspect.
Now this might sound cocky but I believe my A-game in poker is pretty darn good. I'm playing my A-game when I'm paying close attention to what all of my opponents, taking my time with my decisions, extracting maximum value with good hands, and minimizing losses with 2nd best hands. To play my A-game my head needs to be clear, I need to think positively, and it helps if I'm running good (even though that shouldn't matter)....
Unfortunately I don't play my A-game nearly enough. But I don't think I'll ever have the discipline to play at my highest level at all times. That's okay because my B-game is also decent and is definitely profitable against my opposition.
My problem is my C through F-games...I play poorly far too often for a number of reasons:
-I tilt. I know that it's all one long session. I know I want that guy calling for his 2 outer. I know it's my decisions that matter and not the result of the hand. But I have a very tough time controlling my emotions when I'm running badly.
-I get bored. It's hard not too when playing a lot of hours. So I'll let it go into autopilot and stop really thinking about my decisions.
-I'm a gambler and I definitely like to gamble. Sometimes I have a hard time controlling myself even though I know I should. I'll oftentimes make a quick decision in order to achieve that 'gambler's rush' that I know wasn't +EV...
Other problem areas that I have had in the past include bankroll management. I've on several occasions made the mistake of losing a substantial part of my bankroll on games that were over my head. Game selection has also been an issue when I'm playing big. I get into the big game to give myself a rush - not because the game looks good.
In short, the biggest holes I believe I have in my poker game are psychological and not technical. The reasons I do better as a TAG than a LAG are also probably more psychological than anything else. I'll discuss that issue more in a future email.
Okay, if you've gotten this far, I'm impressed. Putting this down in words was more for me and I realize will be of limited value to you. But thanks for reading!
Clint
...I'll get back to the LAG/TAG discussion but first let me address the comment that I made the other day: "My life as a pro has been challenging thus far." Basically this is a subject I rarely talk about but I think it will do me some good to lay it out there. Don't worry. I am making some money - but nowhere near the amount I think I'm capable of.
I have said to you that I don't ever think I'll become a great/elite poker player. My memory is poor and my on the spot decision making is never crystal clear. That's okay though because my opponents in general play very, very badly. I believe my technical poker knowledge is far greater than that of most of my opponents (on average) and I also believe that my innate 'feel' for the game is above average. While I can always improve the technical aspect of my game the area that I struggle with the most is the psychological aspect.
Now this might sound cocky but I believe my A-game in poker is pretty darn good. I'm playing my A-game when I'm paying close attention to what all of my opponents, taking my time with my decisions, extracting maximum value with good hands, and minimizing losses with 2nd best hands. To play my A-game my head needs to be clear, I need to think positively, and it helps if I'm running good (even though that shouldn't matter)....
Unfortunately I don't play my A-game nearly enough. But I don't think I'll ever have the discipline to play at my highest level at all times. That's okay because my B-game is also decent and is definitely profitable against my opposition.
My problem is my C through F-games...I play poorly far too often for a number of reasons:
-I tilt. I know that it's all one long session. I know I want that guy calling for his 2 outer. I know it's my decisions that matter and not the result of the hand. But I have a very tough time controlling my emotions when I'm running badly.
-I get bored. It's hard not too when playing a lot of hours. So I'll let it go into autopilot and stop really thinking about my decisions.
-I'm a gambler and I definitely like to gamble. Sometimes I have a hard time controlling myself even though I know I should. I'll oftentimes make a quick decision in order to achieve that 'gambler's rush' that I know wasn't +EV...
Other problem areas that I have had in the past include bankroll management. I've on several occasions made the mistake of losing a substantial part of my bankroll on games that were over my head. Game selection has also been an issue when I'm playing big. I get into the big game to give myself a rush - not because the game looks good.
In short, the biggest holes I believe I have in my poker game are psychological and not technical. The reasons I do better as a TAG than a LAG are also probably more psychological than anything else. I'll discuss that issue more in a future email.
Okay, if you've gotten this far, I'm impressed. Putting this down in words was more for me and I realize will be of limited value to you. But thanks for reading!
Clint