I Am Rubbish!
I think that unless I turn things around soon and start being Mr. Consistent (like I felt I used to be) I am going to have to accept that I am doing my game more harm than good. I think the problem is that I want to learn to be more aggressive, and less predictable, but my timing is absolutely lousy.
I think that I have to forget all about Gaf?'s thoughts and the championing of Harrington, and concentrate on my natural style. Too often recently I have played like a complete doofus.
In the PL league game on Monday I sucked out on Avongirl's trip Q's (slow-played? or cautious?) by chasing a 4 spade flush to the river, and then literally gave my chips away when I re-raised Runadrum (UTG min. raise) 50% of my stack with JJ (hoping he'd fold), but in truth I knew he had A10 or better, so WHY throw your chips in when there's an A on the flop???? Honestly I think it was for two reasons... (1)Frustration at being hurt by the flop yet again, and (2) Annoyance that Runadrum didn't fold (why should he?). I threw my chips away like a baby does with its rattle, and got what I deserved.
Then last night I did the same thing in 2 situations. 1 - Chased a straight to the river and sulked when my straight missed and filled Aodn (McGin). I tried to tighten up and got nothing, started to get nervous/frustrated, so I tried a Harrington some time later (2) Dealt 77 in 3rd/4th position, I had 2 choices, fold em and wait (possibly getting whittled down to nothing) which Gaf says is bad although it has served me well in the past, OR push (a la Harrington?) whilst I had folding equity, and try and pick up the blinds. Well, I pushed, Aodn called with AQs and won the race, and I'm out.
I really want to be sporting and wish people luck, but I am so annoyed with my own game right now.
I think that I have to forget all about Gaf?'s thoughts and the championing of Harrington, and concentrate on my natural style. Too often recently I have played like a complete doofus.
In the PL league game on Monday I sucked out on Avongirl's trip Q's (slow-played? or cautious?) by chasing a 4 spade flush to the river, and then literally gave my chips away when I re-raised Runadrum (UTG min. raise) 50% of my stack with JJ (hoping he'd fold), but in truth I knew he had A10 or better, so WHY throw your chips in when there's an A on the flop???? Honestly I think it was for two reasons... (1)Frustration at being hurt by the flop yet again, and (2) Annoyance that Runadrum didn't fold (why should he?). I threw my chips away like a baby does with its rattle, and got what I deserved.
Then last night I did the same thing in 2 situations. 1 - Chased a straight to the river and sulked when my straight missed and filled Aodn (McGin). I tried to tighten up and got nothing, started to get nervous/frustrated, so I tried a Harrington some time later (2) Dealt 77 in 3rd/4th position, I had 2 choices, fold em and wait (possibly getting whittled down to nothing) which Gaf says is bad although it has served me well in the past, OR push (a la Harrington?) whilst I had folding equity, and try and pick up the blinds. Well, I pushed, Aodn called with AQs and won the race, and I'm out.
I really want to be sporting and wish people luck, but I am so annoyed with my own game right now.
posted by Mr V. at 8:11 am
3 Comments:
Mate, you have given other people better advice on PL than I can give you now.
You know you and your game are good enough to get through any lulls.
At least a) you appear not to have been chasing your losses as I have (unsuccessfully) for two nights and b) you have not been blaming the cards and non-random dealing as I did in my blog tonight !
I think what we both need (definitely me anyway) is Friday's day away from the pc and some live poker interaction - win or lose I would hope to enjoy it more than the last two days shouting at a computer screen.
Mate,
Just a few thoughts on this - first off - I summarised a short part of Harringtons book in one post - you COANNOT play like Harrington from my post. If you wish to adopt that style further, you really need to get his books and read them!!! We all play differently though, and I can understand that some people may not be able to play a Harrington way successfully, but can play other styles well. (Me - I am hopeless at the Super System advocated style of play!!!)
The other thing - your 77 Hand - you don't talk of the important detail - what is your stack size? And what is the stack size of the players to follow you? Harrington certainly can advocate folding with 77, or flat calling with 77!!!!! If your M was below 5 (about 7x BB) then I would be more than happy with a coin flip (in which I am a slight favourite) for a chance to double up!!! On this occasion it didn't work, but the result is irrelevent - the question is - would you have expected better situations to shove?
I think objective comes into it too - were you looking to "limp" higher up the points board, or were you trying to win the tournament?
Runadrum - I didn't see this until after York, but you are definitely right. The live poker was certainly useful (as well as a pleasure meeting you and Avon :-)). I am getting back to the stage where I am trusting my decisions again, and now I think just need the luck we all need at the right times - btw I am NOT saying I'm unlucky, but all poker players understand that.
Gaf - I will read Harrington, and my constant bemoaning him is very much tongue in cheek. I don't remember exactly, but probably had about 5 or 6 blinds left. I was happy to take the coin-flip with 77, even to just limp up the board. You know that my philosophy is survival first last and always. :-)
Thank you both for youe kind words and comments. :-)
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