February 4, 2005

OUCH

Just when I thought things were going along very smoothly...Here's a tip for how to win at poker: Don't get outdrawn 100 times every night.

Does it work you ask? I couldn't tell you, I haven't been able to put it to use yet. In Andy Bellin's book Poker Nation he writes something along the lines of, "At a casino limit game I am a huge favorite to win. Just about any semi-concious human being is." He then proceeds to explain how if there are two sheep at the table with $1000 between them that's $1000 that's as good as dead and is figured to get chopped up 8 ways by the skilled players at the table. "I just made 25% on my money and I haven't even started to play." Well, Andy, in the long run that may be true but in day to day life those "sheep" can absolutely destroy you.

I play a lot of short handed games online, and I've noticed something. If I'm at a table with four other players who are playing tight, I usually go up about $100 or so in the first 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Then they start to catch on and I start getting some static. Now the dude who was more than happy to lay down A7 os when I bet into him at a K83 flop is suddenly calling me for some reason. Problem is I only have QT, and he's actually a decent favorite to win the hand. Now a harmless 6 comes off and I have to check to him. He might check here or bet, it doesn't make much of a difference. My sword just broke. Without the power to outplay people, what is there to my game? Well, I guess I could try to get a read off of his pixilated username emblem, but aside from that I just have to go ABC like every other tight-weak douche and hope to get the best cards.

In short, I need to start being smarter in two categories:

A. Table selection. This is a big one. Taking the time to find profitable spots may be the determining factor for winning or losing on any given night.

B. Knowing when to leave. Not just when I am losing, but when I feel that the texture of the game has shifted in a negative way for my playing style.

Before 5:00 PM on Thursday: +$548 for the week
12:30 AM Friday: -$32 for the week

OUCH.