Play big or don't play at all? I need help

[D.J.]

I'm not sure how to put this or what exactly I am asking but here is my issue. If I am not playing in a fairly big game like a 20-40 blind, 50-100 blind or maybe a deep 10-20, I don't think that I play very well. I don't know if it is the fact that I am playing against better players, the amount of money on the table, or maybe even fear, yes fear that I have playing in bigger games that forces me to play my best. I know that I make much better decisions when stacks are deeper and the money is greater and I also think I make much better reads against the players in these games as well. I guess my question is does anyone else feel this way? Is this a common problem? or what is the explanation for me feeling this way?

-D.J.

[ObnxNole]

dumbest post ever

[HOWMANY]

I used to know some people that talked about not being able to take small stakes seriously when talking about 25NL or $0.50/1 limit while I started at $0.25/.50 limit.

They're all BUSTO.

[Scorpion]

Put this in Psychology forum. Maybe when you play lower the stakes mean nothing to you so you don't play your A game. Somewhere down the line it must creep into your larger game in a lack of discipline.

[Fisher32]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure how to put this or what exactly I am asking but here is my issue. If I am not playing in a fairly big game like a 20-40 blind, 50-100 blind or maybe a deep 10-20, I don't think that I play very well. I don't know if it is the fact that I am playing against better players, the amount of money on the table, or maybe even fear, yes fear that I have playing in bigger games that forces me to play my best. I know that I make much better decisions when stacks are deeper and the money is greater and I also think I make much better reads against the players in these games as well. I guess my question is does anyone else feel this way? Is this a common problem? or what is the explanation for me feeling this way?

-D.J.

[/ QUOTE ]


Your problem is uh, normal. You probably play better in the higher stake games due to your bankroll. The smaller games can't really put a dent in you like the bigger games can. Also playing with better players can also convert you to play like them "Monkey see Monkey do". Not always the best case. In my opinion, your game should never change regardless of the stake.

[Bill King]

i'm almost 100% sure OP has no great financial stress and prob still lives at home in his parents house balla'ing in the basement of his comfy home, otherwise going busto might be a problem and you'd take it seriously.

[SA125]

I was crushing 5-5/5-10 and yet giving money away at 1-2 when waiting for bigger game. I got tired of donating to clowns and realized it was simply a lack of respect for the stakes. Discipline.

[iAmAddicted]

move up to where they respect your raises.

[llleisure]

[ QUOTE ]
dumbest post ever

[/ QUOTE ]

Followed by a lame, useless reply in a never ending stream of them. Why do people even bother to say stuff like this? (done - won't reply any further about that aspect.)

I am in a similar situation but haven't taken a shot at anything high yet. It's a difficult decision to know what to do and the people who say the only way is to have built up from .10/.25, not to disrespect your experience and knowledge, but I'm just not ever going to beleive that's the only way. That is one approach and people who should've taken that aproach and didn't may well be busto - probably plenty of them.

There are also those who took their shot at the highest they could possibly afford, busted, tried again and persisted and got to where they needed to be. Don't you think at some point those folks wondered "am I doing the right thing here?" At some point they had to feel something, if not fear then at least some self doubt - that's called being human.

I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer - I think it's a fine balance between risk, reward, continual improvement and what is going on in your head: fear/doubt/excitement/boredom/whatever.

It's a subject that is hard to put into words and I doubt I've answered anything, but I am really glad to hear someone ask exactly the same type of questions I have.

[D.J.]

Are you talking about me? Hmmm... let's see how correct your read is, I'm 25, live alone, I own 3 homes, 2 cars and I pay my parent's rent for them who live 2,000 miles away, nice try though. Also, please don't embarass yourself by typing things like balla'ing, do you have any idea how dumb you sound to anyone who knows what ballin' is?

-D.J.