Psyduck's pooh-bah post

[psyduck]

I've been at post 1599 for a while since I wanted the 1600th post to be a great pooh-bah post, but like Wiggs, I found that I had nothing tremendous to say.

So I'd like to thank all of you guys and 2+2 in general. I've improved my game tremendously in the 1.5 years or so I've been playing. I've only been a winner for the past 8 months or so; before that, I was losing at the 10+1 SNGs, 0.5/1 cash games, and 3/6 at the local casino [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] It really feels weird that I've come this far, being able to play at the 100+9 level and have an edge.

I'd like to include some of the things I've picked up over the past 1.5 years. Some of these things might be super-obvious, but even if it helps two newbies, I think it'll be worth it:

a) Always keep an open mind. This doesn't just apply to SNGs, it applies to all sorts of poker and LIFE in general. Too many times I've read a thread and posted 'push preflop' or 'easy fold', without considering all the ramifications of a play. Of course, some hands are crystal clear as to what the best play is, but many times, some hidden factor make a call a fold, or a fold a call. THINK about decisions and why you're making them.

b) STUDY, STUDY, STUDY. This includes reading and posting at 2+2, but also LOOKING BACK AT HAND HISTORIES and nothing hands that you think you might have misplayed. Then post the hands, or send them to a player that's better than you, and see what he has to say. And always keep an open mind.

c) Don't be afraid to take shots. I've lost $4000 this month and last month taking shots at the $530s, the $215s and 1 Step 5 (the $109s and lower are my usual home) but I don't regret it. I see too many players that have been at the $33s or the $55s for a YEAR. They're just stagnating, and it's bad. Their play might even be deteriorating since they just crank out the normal 1000 SNGs/month. I used to be one of these guys, but you shouldn't. Keep reviewing your play, keep trying to improve, and always keep taking shots. During my 8 months as a winner, I was at the 33s and the 22s for 6 of them. If I could go back and change something, I would definitely move up quicker and study more, instead of just opening up a new set of the same game.

Lastly, and I think this is the most important,
d) Stay in school. Poker is super hot right now, and it's easy to say that it's your 'job'. However, the money is coming from somewhere, and it's 95% of players that are the losers. <font color="red">It cannot last. </font>Having a backup plan is soooo +EV that I cannot stress it. Sure, take a break from school and make $100,000s, but make sure you go back.

Like I said, super-obvious, but it's nice to pass on my 'wisdom' to the newbies (the only ones I can help [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]).

Lots of cool and smart people on this forum, and while I know a good percentage of you, I'd like to get to know more of you. I'll continue reading and posting for many a year to come [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[bigballz]

Wow I couldn't agree more about A.


or B.


or C.


or D.

Really.

Nice post.

[nuggetz87]

congrats, nice post

[Paul B.]

Very nice and I agree for the most part, but I think it would've been better to say something like, "I lost X% of my roll" instead of the dollar amount, as most of us don't know how large your roll is and what portion you risked to take shots.

[psyduck]

Thanks for the nice replies guys [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ QUOTE ]
Very nice and I agree for the most part, but I think it would've been better to say something like, "I lost X% of my roll" instead of the dollar amount, as most of us don't know how large your roll is and what portion you risked to take shots.

[/ QUOTE ]

$4000 isn't a large % of my bankroll so I set aside X buyins and took a shot, then moved back down when I lost.

[ QUOTE ]

May I ask how many SnGs you played at each level? especially at 22/33 level before you moved up?

[/ QUOTE ]
I was at the 22s and 33s for 6 out of my 8 winning months. I've played about 10,000 22s, 33s and 55s in my lifetime, and around 2000 of the higher games. It was only at the beginning of this year that I jumped around levels - first playing a huge number of SNGs at the 50+5 level, then progressing up to the 100+9s and taking shots at the 215s and up.

The 109s are currently my main game, but I 'hope' to be at the 215s next month.

Study, practice, and patience, everything you need to beat SNGs. Playing 1000 a month doesn't hurt your nut income either [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[chisness]

n1 answer email!

[AnthonyV]

awesome dude. i agree 100% with each of your points, especially the whole staying in school thing. it's always great to see folks that moved up because of hard work and studying. congrats.

[Gobgogbog]

Good post psyduck

[Gelford]

Tell us noobs a bit about your progress, where did your studies start .. what where some of the key points turning in your progress.

What do you consider important to focus on, and what is overrated .. and so on [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[wiggs73]

Congrats on the pooh-bah status. 1600 posts is a lot; a lot of people come and go before they get that many.

nice post too. you hit on a lot of points that i think are good for people to hear every so often. good luck at the tables, as well as away from them.

wiggs