[CardRG]

What a difference a few hours can make. I’ve been reading this forum, attempting to soak in the advice that’s been offered.

This morning I played, armed with the confidence that I would finally beat this 2/4 game. Or, if not beat it, at least play my A game.

As per usual, it went pretty much straight down hill. Beats that seldom happen to me at 1-2, seem to habitually happen at this higher limit.

I wound up losing the last of my $70 buck buy-in to a full house I never saw coming. I guess it was a good thing I was All-In at that point or else I would have raised my two pair even higher.

$70 bucks doesn’t last forever at 2/4.

I got up and licked my wounds a little, went for a walk. A rather long, contemplative walk.

During my stroll I thought about my adventure (or misadventure might be a better description). And I came to a startling realization: That I had probably just played some of the best poker of my 2 month career.

At my current newbie skill level I didn’t see what I would have done different. This fact alone, warmed me, encouraged me, gave me the shot of valor in my veins that I needed. I didn’t have myself to blame. I hadn’t tilted. I hadn’t chased. I hadn’t played sucker hands.

The poker Gods or devils or luck or variance or whatever you like to call that intangible component that impacts the hands we play, had just not seen fit to reward me during that session.

I couldn’t wait to get back to my computer, get back on that horse that had thrown me.

I reloaded another $100 bucks from Neteller. I went right back to 2/4. And I kicked their butts royally. I had my biggest single session win ever, over a hundred bucks in just 104 hands.

What accounts for this win? I think I played with a confidence that I’ve never displayed at this level. I played more hands than I’ve ever played at this level so any negative down turn had a greater chance to work itself out Also, I was more relaxed than I ever have been at this level.

I was in that zone you enter when the game is going right. I saw players tremble before me and fold.

My earlier loss that day (despite my skilled play) had made me realize that the players at this level are not necessarily supermen. Sure, I think they’re more skilled than my1-2 opponents but they can be beaten.

No, I haven’t divorced myself from watching my stack. Not yet anyway. But I’m trying to be less obsessed with it.

Also, I know one winning session doesn’t a career make. But, brother, it sure makes you feel a lot better than losing. I know this isn’t the last of the butt kickings I’ll receive at 2/4.

But the next time I lose at this level, I think I’ll stomach it better as long as the loss wasn’t the result of incompetent technique.

Finally, I do think the advice on this forum is already paying off. Some of you have been especially generous with your responses to my queries. Thanks.