The theory of wtf is happening to my bankroll Mr Sklansky?

BobSloane

Having read The Theory of Poker 3 weeks ago I felt as if my knowledge and understanding of the game have improved yet I have somehow lost over a quarter of my bankroll since. What the fcuk is going on? Is this something to do with the reverse implied odds of reading Sklansky or did anyone else have such an experience. Think I might be overthinking situations or trying to be too tricky - not sure whats happened. I play $50 and $100 NLH

SuperHans

I don't think the fact that you read the TOP should automatically qualify you as a winning player. You have to get the practical experience to back up the theoretical knowlege.

Daithio

I've always found that after reading any book my game drops for a while. It takes a little while for the changes to fully sink in I think, and your game goes through a period where you're caught in two minds between your old style and adopting a new one, so as a result you probably don't play your best. Maybe take a week off to let it sink in and then go back and give it a shot.

BobSloane

SuperHans wrote:

I don't think the fact that you read the TOP should automatically qualify you as a winning player. You have to get the practical experience to back up the theoretical knowlege.

Yeah I know. But I was a winning player until I read it which is what I find a bit bizarre

SuperHans

Yeah, what Daithio said. Could also be some bad variance.

DeadParrot

yikes!
Have you looked over your hands and identified hats happening?
Maybe you are 'overplaying'?
Post one or two hands to give us an idea of your thought process

kebabfest

Bob. What happens when a golfer decides to change his swing as he knows he could potentially be a better golfer by doing so?
To start with the results are variable as he has to get used to the new swing, but in the long run his overall game will improve. This is the same for poker when reading something like Slanskeys TOP which can only help your play long term.
Unless of or course you're John Daly. If so drink a bottle of JD and bang 3 hookers a nite. Then you'll be fine.

BobSloane

Ok here's one. 6 max
$0.25/$0.5 Hero(c/o) Ks Jc Villian BB. Villian 20/12 for 60 hands. Effective stacks $38

Folded around.
Hero raise to $2 from cutoff.
Button folds.
Sb folds
BB calls $2

Flop K 10 4 rainbow. ($4.25)
BB checks
Hero bets $3
BB calls $3

Turn J ($10.25)
BB checks
Hero bets $7
BB calls

River 3 ($24.25)

BB checks.
Hero bets $13
BB raises to $26(all-in)
Hero calls $13
Villian shows Qd 9d

When he checks it to me I assume I have the best hand. Should I be value betting here? I suppose all I can hope him to call me that I beat is AK. Should I be folding the re-raise? I figured he had to have me beat but Q9 was a bit of a shocker to me

Another one yesterday I got stacked for 100bb preflop from the small blind with TT v AA against a 45/33 LAG in the BB who was fond of 3 - 4 betting. Should I be shipping it in such circumstances(I raised, he re-raised, I re-raised, he pushed, I called)?

I found a few hands too where I failed to fire third bullets on missed draws when I catch some piece of the board on the river and I'm pretty certain after showdown the opponent would have folded if I bet again but now that I have something I check it down. Maybe its a confidence thing after taking a few hits

So many marginal enough situations where I should bet but I check, should check but I bet, should fold but I call, should fold pf but move-in lol. Feel like I'm losing my bearings

Marq

How many hands have you played since then? and what BB/100 drop have you experienced.
I imagine this is just variance.
Have you tried moving up levels?

kebabfest

There are some hands you've just gotta scrug your shoulders and move on. Your only mistake was playing the hand in the first place.
I cant see how you're getting away from that with the stacks you have.
A shocker to see Q9 alright. However if your opponents are viewing you as somebody who will pay them off then maybe that is something to look at.
I dont think this is a good hand to demonstrate how your thinking process has changed used TOP and how the hand would have paned out diffrently pre-reading the book. ( unless the old you wouldnt have value bet the river which btw I think is fine)