How to Survive Idiots

saxman1963 · #1 01-08-2007, 05:14 PM

This may be more of a rant than a question, but I have read all 3 of Dan Harrington's Excellent books....more than once...and consider myself at least an average NL Hold 'em player. I play mostly online at single or 2-table tourneys. On average, I about break-even (up $100, down $100 with $10 buy-ins). I can't seem to get any better results than this because I tend to get crappy cards in general, and I keep running into Fish who are having their one lucky day against me. Today was a case in point and I share this if for no other reason because I'm sure everyone here will nod their heads and go "I've been there...".

It was a single table tourney, and--as I usually do--I got to the bubble (4th place) and was the shortstack. This resulted from insane attrition of the other 5 players who all seemed committed to forking over their chips with all-in moves. In fact, I had only played one hand by the time there were 4 players left (35 was one of my BETTER initial holdings). Anyway, long story made slightly shorter, I got to a point where I had about $1,400 and I was up against the 2nd biggest stack who had around $2,900 I believe. I had A9 unsuited and, it turns out, he had A2 suited. I raised from first position to 3xs the BB (had to make a move at some point) and was called by Mr. A2. The flop came down A68 (in other suits). I made a small bet of $100 and Mr. A2 goes all in. I knew from his previous plays and bluffs that I had him dominated, so I called. Sure enough, I had him dominated (my reads are usually correct), and he pulled a 2 on the river to knock me out. When I asked him why he made the play, he initially said "I had an ace" when I pointed out the stupidity of that reply, and after checking on sharkscope that he had lost $2,800 so far and had an ROI of negative 38%, he gave me the real answer: He earns more than that in one day, so he doesn't really care whether he loses by making stupid plays.

Well, how the heck do you argue with that? I wouldn't be complaining except that this is happening a good 50% of the time in the tournaments I've played (which are now over 500). And it's more frustrating because I look up others' stats and some people have really good profits and ROIs and I yearn to learn their secrets [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, sorry for the rant. No responses necessary unless you feel like it. I had to get this off my chest. I have learned a lot from this forum and from the books I mentioned. I just wish it actually translated into success more often.

React1oN · #2 01-08-2007, 05:16 PM

tl;dr

Messiahkid · #3 01-08-2007, 05:16 PM

I see $10 donkNgos, crappy card complaints, etc

Simple solution: move to cash games

durkahdurkah · #4 01-08-2007, 05:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I share this if for no other reason because I'm sure everyone here will nod their heads and go "I've been there...".

[/ QUOTE ]

lol

it's called "variance" and we all deal with it

this isn't really that bad btw.

AbreuTime · #5 01-08-2007, 05:23 PM

From your description, you sound weak tight. You can play your tight game early, but when it gets down to 5 players and the blinds are higher, be more aggressive. People at these levels are donks, yes, so just play your good hands fast.

The "idiots" are what makes this game profitable. And you probably aren't as good as you think you are. Read the strategy forums.

Arnfinn Madsen · #6 01-08-2007, 05:23 PM

Play more, after the 6945th time this happens (as it will) it isn't such a big deal anymore.

Hattifnatt · #7 01-08-2007, 05:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
tl;dr

[/ QUOTE ]

saxman1963 · #8 01-08-2007, 05:40 PM

thank you for your somewhat insulting, yet informative reply. I DO play my good hands "fast" when I get them. Problem is I don't get them that often, and when I do, I always seem to run into exactly the scenario I described, or someone who legitimately has a better hand. Similar scenario occurred the other day when I raised with AQ suited, and got reraised. I got a Q on the flop, and made a bet that got a huge raise from the prior re-raiser. Clearly he was representing KK or AA, and sure enough, that's what he had.

Hattifnatt · #9 01-08-2007, 05:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Similar scenario occurred the other day when I raised with AQ suited, and got reraised. I got a Q on the flop, and made a bet that got a huge raise from the prior re-raiser. Clearly he was representing KK or AA, and sure enough, that's what he had.

[/ QUOTE ]
wow, this is great stuff.

durkahdurkah · #10 01-08-2007, 05:42 PM

sax,
what is your sample size? ROI? ITM %age?