The penny drops...

jbravado

Heya folks,
Ive been lurking here for a while now and really enjoy the forum.The great advice and discussion have helped my game improve no end,however there is still vast room for improvement.It was only recently I realised just how much.

I was recently playing a live cash game when i made a mistake that cost me a biggish(by my standards)pot.While thinking about the hand I realised that this was a mistake I was making consistently for the past few months.More importantly I realised it was not the only mistake I was making.Suddenly I realised my game was nowhere near the level I thought it was,and no where near the level I want it to be. This single hand made me re-evaluate my ability,and following this,the stakes I was playing.I really felt as if I was seeing the game in a totally different light.

Has something like this ever happened to any of you?Has a single hand or session revealed a flaw or flaws in your game that you had been oblivious to for months?How has this affected your confidence and your natural game?Did you move back a level until you felt a more complete player?How do you objectivly analysis and monitor the continuing devolpment of your own ability?

careca

I have a lot of flaws in my game, too many to mention. The biggest one, I feel, is not taking my time over decisions or talking myself into/out of calls for poor reasons.

I do try to analyse every tournament I play and see what mistakes I made to get me knocked out or what i was happy with. I also write down these and have a read of them before I play my next tournament. The list is getting so long I need an hour of prep time It helps though. I also add in any bits of wisdom or new plays that I have seen/heard.

Hitman Actual

jbravado wrote:

Has something like this ever happened to any of you?Has a single hand or session revealed a flaw or flaws in your game that you had been oblivious to for months?

Reading this forum is the one thing that makes me realise how much I have to learn. There are 5 or 6 top-class posters here, and when you read their advice/hand analysis, etc, you see how far behind the pack you are. I used to think I was way better before I started posting here... a few arguments with HJ in my first few posts (as everyone does, it's like an initiation rite) got me back down to earth fairly quick!

jbravado

I feel my biggest flaw is letting my ego get in the way with my normal game,frequently getting involved with a player as I feel I can outplay him on the flop regardless.In short,discilpline.I make an effort to get hands down on paper.Anyone keep written notes on the hands they get involved in live play?ever seen a pen and notepad at the table!?

smurph

I was playing in the tournament out in Citywest a while ago. I was getting good cards but missed the flop, I was small blind in this particular hand. I got A 4 offsuit, there was no raise, myself BB and another player was in the pot. the flop was A 10 8. I felt that i had kicker trouble with my Ace and checked, BB checked and other player bet 500. I called and BB folded. turn rag, I checked again and player bet 1k. I called. River 8, I check (do you see the pattern developing), he bets 1K, I call, he turns over 8 J. It was without the worst play I have done in a long time. I did everything wrong. If i was worried bout my kicker, I should have put a bet in and find out where I stood. See if anyone else has an Ace, but oh no, Smurph the "Calling Station" comes out to play. The player summed it up when he said "you let me fill my set". It was one of those moments as you said where I realised that being a "Calling Station" was the worst aspect of my game. I have tried very hard to improve and I think I have improved my game (No laughing allowed here). I even won the Round of each tournament in the Fitz last Saturday, slow playing a set on the flop, which turned into a house on the turn and then joy oh joy the guy fills his flush on the river. I got some run of cards, flopping two pokers in the Omaha game. The Saturday night tournament is only a bit of a laugh, Huzzan was back in full flight. Anyway sorry im waffling on and on (doesn't all women), but feel free everyone to tear apart my play in Citywest, I certain have when i go through it over and over again in my head.

cardshark202

smurph wrote:

I was playing in the tournament out in Citywest a while ago. I was getting good cards but missed the flop, I was small blind in this particular hand. I got A 4 offsuit, there was no raise, myself BB and another player was in the pot. the flop was A 10 8. I felt that i had kicker trouble with my Ace and checked, BB checked and other player bet 500. I called and BB folded. turn rag, I checked again and player bet 1k. I called. River 8, I check (do you see the pattern developing), he bets 1K, I call, he turns over 8 J. It was without the worst play I have done in a long time. I did everything wrong. If i was worried bout my kicker, I should have put a bet in and find out where I stood. See if anyone else has an Ace, but oh no, Smurph the "Calling Station" comes out to play. The player summed it up when he said "you let me fill my set". It was one of those moments as you said where I realised that being a "Calling Station" was the worst aspect of my game. I have tried very hard to improve and I think I have improved my game (No laughing allowed here). I even won the Round of each tournament in the Fitz last Saturday, slow playing a set on the flop, which turned into a house on the turn and then joy oh joy the guy fills his flush on the river. I got some run of cards, flopping two pokers in the Omaha game. The Saturday night tournament is only a bit of a laugh, Huzzan was back in full flight. Anyway sorry im waffling on and on (doesn't all women), but feel free everyone to tear apart my play in Citywest, I certain have when i go through it over and over again in my head.

Check-calling there is fine as you got your opponent to continuously put money into the pot drawing to 5 outs. You were unlucky he hit. If you bet and he re-raises you may fold the best hand. Check-calling means you lose the minimum(probably) if you're against a bigger ace and win the maximum(probably) if your opponent is bluffing or betting with a weaker pair.

fuzzbox

smurph wrote:

I was playing in the tournament out in Citywest a while ago. I was getting good cards but missed the flop, I was small blind in this particular hand. I got A 4 offsuit, there was no raise, myself BB and another player was in the pot. the flop was A 10 8. I felt that i had kicker trouble with my Ace and checked, BB checked and other player bet 500. I called and BB folded. turn rag, I checked again and player bet 1k. I called. River 8, I check (do you see the pattern developing), he bets 1K, I call, he turns over 8 J. It was without the worst play I have done in a long time. I did everything wrong. If i was worried bout my kicker, I should have put a bet in and find out where I stood. See if anyone else has an Ace, but oh no, Smurph the "Calling Station" comes out to play. The player summed it up when he said "you let me fill my set". It was one of those moments as you said where I realised that being a "Calling Station" was the worst aspect of my game. I have tried very hard to improve and I think I have improved my game (No laughing allowed here). I even won the Round of each tournament in the Fitz last Saturday, slow playing a set on the flop, which turned into a house on the turn and then joy oh joy the guy fills his flush on the river. I got some run of cards, flopping two pokers in the Omaha game. The Saturday night tournament is only a bit of a laugh, Huzzan was back in full flight. Anyway sorry im waffling on and on (doesn't all women), but feel free everyone to tear apart my play in Citywest, I certain have when i go through it over and over again in my head.

Just fold the river - the rest is actually quite good.

DapperGent

The penny has dropped that I should play within my bankroll limitations like about eight times now.

cardshark202

DapperGent wrote:

The penny has dropped that I should play within my bankroll limitations like about eight times now.

I lost that penny when playng outside my bankroll limitations.

Marq

cardshark202 wrote:

I lost that penny when playng outside my bankroll limitations.

I never had that penny.

Lafortezza

IOU's > pennies.

Marq

Come to think of it, Lafortezza owes me penny x 100.

Lafortezza

Do you not have a Chinese Poker game to be rigging?

Marq

Did my bollocks playing it on Pokerroom last weekend.