MINDSET FOR SESSION - BETTER ME

 

''If you can't control what is happening, challenge yourself to control how do you react to what is happening''

For now, if you have more practice in poker than a couple of months, you should know for sure: 

The best asset you need to take to the table is the right mindset for the session. 

No matter how many educational poker videos you watched before or how many poker books you worked through, you will lose against the game if you don't have the right mind to bring to the table. Even this doesn't matter how good is your poker vocabulary and how many lousy beat stories you heard from friends and fellow players in the smoke area. Remember: any two cards can win if you can play those two cards out in a suitable match, against the right player and at the proper time and position.

What to do? How to be an intelligent, patient, knowledgeable and calm poker player? How to be a better person? How to bring out ''better me.'' every time you start the game/session. 

I am only human. I make mistakes, I will get tired, frustrated, lose my temper..... especially, then the game is not going in my way..., and I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. Did I? Did you? Is there the right way to play poker? Probably not. What was the right way to play in a particular situation today will not be right tomorrow, or in the following case after this hand. Even if you will get the same cards on the next hand, your position is changed, your mood or somebody else's mood is changed around the table, depending on the results from the last hand.

For example, an excellent tight player will decide on the next hand to go all in no matter what. He/she did get enough for today, and now is the time to try Lady Luck. Where is she? He/she is thinking. I have been sitting here for almost an hour and have no decent hand yet. It is the right time for me now - everybody around the table had their share of luck... Only not me. After he/she decided to tray Lady Luck, all your long saved readings from this player are going to the... let say forest. You are doing everything right technically: you will enter loose or try to push him/her out from hand after seeing the flop 3, 7 and 9, not the identical suits on the table. But you can't - not now, not today - this is the actually wrong play for this moment.

You just didn't know about his/her last decision yet before entering in hand. But technically, I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. Did you now lose your hand and money? How much you lost - 3 blinds, or a hundred and three, or all you had. Did opponent(s) lose? Did you win? How big did you win? Did you do ''everything right'', or did you get lucky? Do you care, or this is nothing, and you can afford to stay in-game. New buy-in? Today, tomorrow, next week? Is your bankroll 20 buy-ins or a hundred. How many mistakes you can afford without landing in tilt?

The first part of the mantra: NEVER RISK WITH BIG MONEY/POTS, NEVER RISK WITH WHOLE BUY IN -STAY IN-GAME. YOU STILL HAVE YOUR SWORD, AND YOU CAN FIGHT LONGER IN THIS BATTLE. NEVER GIVE UP. You deserved it. You have been a long time in this game. Believe me, this is not building up your confidence if you have to leave the table or battleground with limping your leg behind or a clomp in your throat, especially in a live game. Even at home: standing up and closing the computer screen is hard. The first thought probably will be to start again, follow the following table(s), there are other people - I can do it! I will win back everything from them and even more! I am not a loser. I know how to play, I studied, I watched videos... I know how to call this situation - THE TILT. I know everything about this game. Is this happening with me at this moment? My first tilt, second..... fifty-first tilt? Am I able to turn it around? Did I learn anything from the last situation? Walk away. Those tables and people will be there after an hour, tomorrow, next week etc. 

The second part of the mantra: SET YOUR LIMIT AND TIME YOU WILL SPEND IN ONE SESSION. AND STICK THERE NO MATTER WHAT. Trust me, again, it is complex, and first, second, and etc. times, maybe you cannot do it. But remember - I (you) wanted to be a better person, bring ''a better me'' to the table. You got to do it for the sake to beat the level or game! I will offer all the best for visitors to MY TABLE from now on. I promise to put all the best food and drinks on this table. This is because I am a good person. Yes, you did read right, my table and I am a good person. Did you say I were the last one to join? So ...... after I joined, this is MY TABLE. You, my fellow friends and players worldwide, got to play under my rules today on my table. I have my own game management and way of playing, and nobody can disrupt me. I will own this table for the next (particular time) hour, let say. Be aggressive, but be selective with who and what kind of situation.

The third part of the mantra: PLAY YOUR   GAME, TRUST YOURSELF, MAKE IT HAPPEN. Remember, You can't play wrong or right way in this game. Don't blame yourself if something you thought was not working out. Nothing personal. Everything depends on the right timing and the right person. Don't deal with things you can't change right now or ever (Lady Luck etc.). Do not forget to let others have starlight moments, too, as far you are filling your pockets at the end. You are the best host in this game today. You are doing your best now, with the knowledge you have today... I AM (YOU ARE) the (good) BOSS.  

Good luck and make your own mantra (or use mine). What is essential for you: to win or spend the time? Win or lose? Can you turn the table around today, now? Is there any point? Can I(You) be a better person and good host...

Mindset for session

Mindset for session

Mostly I play at Zoom tables. I will start with 4 tables (max You can join) and buy in will be also max = $ 2. Equals risk $8 .I will set timer for 30 min and 1 hour. If I feel after half an hour frustrated or not giving full attention – I will quit and move away from table. (Did write before in blog – we as human can mostly work 45 min with full attention at row.) After 45 min You brain will need bit rest.

It is not that important anymore do I win or loose session.

Aim is = if I do loose then possible min amount.

1. No all ins PREFLOP = any two cards can win in this game specially then You don't have any control what will show up at flop. Without seeing flop and willing to risk with 100 BB is not much profitable game. It is more greed – You hoping win big without working hard for it. In my life mostly what easy comes that easy goes. Not worth.
2. Starting hands. I think J.Little answered that question for me in his ''Little Poker Advice'' = somebody did ask him why he don't make videos about ''bad hands'' he been dealt. Answer was (not word by word) – He don't know any good players who are playing bad hands they are dealt. Meaning – they just don't play wrong hands in wrong position. If You are aiming to win session You can't afford to play bad starting hands in wrong position. Simple as that
3. Things are not going You way always. Nobody can't have everything. Let You hand go. If You are holding third best hand at the flop then probably You are not winning this hand at showdown. Meaning ''Third best hand'' - you have third pair, table has possible straight or flush and You are holding second pair, You have Top pair but third possible kikker and so on. There is only two ways to win this hand – give up or bluff. Mostly I will give up. Why? To bluff profitably You must know You opponent is able to lay down their ''good/winning hands'' (not happening often in micro levels) or ''fear factor'' will push him/her away from hand (not happening much at micro levels ether)

Aim is = win little by little

1. After opening four tables I will not add any money for them if I loose. I will not hold 100 BB always on the table. Why? To control myself. Then I started this blog I went into game with 50 BB and I did win. It is possible to work up again and having less then 100 BB will put me willing to fight and focus more then having 200 BB. (Everybody is different). It works for me Also having less then 100 BB will give some payers idea about playing against bad player and they are willing to risk with their chips. It is much written in blogs that player in cash game having less then max amount is not very good at game. I just refuse to believe that
2. After winning 50 % of my investment per table ($2 buy in = 50 % profit is $1 = $3 at the table) I will leave this table for good for this session. Finished. Not having any excuse to add an other table with max buy in – it is finished for this session and I will go on with 3 – 2- 1 or 0 tables. Even if this will happen before my timer goes off. :) If I do win at least $ 4 per session it will be 50% profit per hour or even less. Not bad !? Why? To take out Greed – having back 50% of You investment is very very good in any business. Should be enough. Secondly – having huge amount BBs front of You will put many potential ''bad'' players off bluffing at You. You must do something right by having more chipps then others – why to mess with this player? = and they just move on. This is my two reasons not to have more then 150 BB at the table front of me

WITH THIS MINDSET I CAN MAX LOOSE $8 PER HOUR OR WIN MIN $4 PER HOUR. Sounds good :)

Breaking Human nature

Breaking Human nature

1. I am special

Nothing bad can happen with me = I'm so special. I can't loose. I will get best hands. Everybody else don't know how to play (it's written everywhere...''most terrible ''players playing at lowest limit – I'm special and on this lowest game just temporally. I am so SPECIAL (sometimes, on some clear moment – it sounds like not so special, but with special needs. Can't get over myself and my EGO

2. Can't believe if not been seen

Just can't lay down my loosing hands. ''Married'' with them. Why to call down hands then it's pretty clear = there not many chances for me to win. Still eager to see what others are holding

      3. Lazy

Hoping for results without work. Not playing, Not studying. Waiting for big breakdown = How the earth it can happen? Bit improved ( 2 months been keeping around 40 000 hands and

do study – not every day, but much I can (sorry: more then I ''feel''))

4. Greed

All inns with marginal hands and even with top hands preflop . Hoping to have easy session (LAZY), move up to next level (I AM SPECIAL)

How hard it is to remember during sessions – any two cards can win

5. Blaming everybody and everything in You failure

It can be my fault – I'm still loosing player. Everybody else get lucky, they are stupid fishes on lowest level (surprise I'm here too).

6. Looking for excuses

Not feeling like play

Nothing else to learn = I know that already

Too tired, too nice weather, got to watch TV ...etc.etc.etc

STILL WORKING ON ME :)

LEARNING TO LOOSE

I hate to loose, but I don't need to be first all the time – this is one thing holding me back

Explanation – Loosing hand (specially at the situation where I should win) will cause me to go tilt and I will start to try and make it back in situations where I simply not favorite to win anyway

Conclusion – Not to focus on one hand but bigger picture. Even if You loose hand or two – You still can win session.

Not fighting hard to win pot where I did put money in

Explanation – Calling down pots where I should bet. If player after Cbet will check on turn – there is two possibilities. One - he/she lost interest on this hand. Two - he/she will try to trap You,

Conclusion - Keep in mind – mostly nobody hits anything after flop. Trappers are mostly tight aggressive players or some regulars. Loose Aggressive player will try to bet most out of You anyway and passive player will not bet usually at flop without very good hand . Ofcoure there are still regulars, but it comes down aggressive or passive again

Choosing wrong enemies

Explanation – Going in fight with players who I should not. Player at blinds not folding enough according to stats but my opening range at CO or Button shows me to bet. Fighting for pots with players who's WTSD stat is high – they will not fold no matter what or fighting with passive player. They are passive for reason. And Yes she/he did hit nuts if they will call You bets.

Conclusion – Got to remember to check stats first. Should not get exaited having pair of AA or KK after hour (or even longer) waiting without any decent hand in right spot. There will come always another hand and oppurtunity to fight (win)

I am the biggest enemy to myself

Explanation – I like to be winning poker player, but not to win every pot. How can I be winner not fighting for every pot I did get in ? I like to have results but without hard work – still stragelling to put more time in poker. Got to treat poker like work if I should like to see results. I like to give a little but have back big – not studying poker enough – just some articles and bit hand reviews

Conclusion – From now on: Every day four sessions (200 – 400 hands – depends 1 or 2 tables at zoom), I did figure out - most I loose in long sessions. Not for me. 1 hour (at least) for reading and learning + Leak Buster 

Blogger every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

TILT – WHY IT HAPPENED – HOW TO AVOID

THINGS ARE NOT GOING YOU WAY

Sitting long time around the tabel(s) without any possibility to play – wrong ''good hands'' at wrong time.

Example - You will get AJ, suited connectors etc in early position and forced to fold

Loosing at the start  for couple (or even more) made hands to ''river rats''

Example – You have already straight, flush or trips and and opponent will hit higher one at the river

After couple losses You will afraid play ''right hand'' in right position

Example – having KQ suited in early position, K10 in middle position, 87 at CO, SB, BB etc

AVOID – REMEMBER – Everybody will get lucky sometimes – even You. IT was their time. We mostly remember times then somebody else did hit, not that much then we do

LOOSING PATIENT

Hand selection

You will start play ''if''s in hope it will be You time to get lucky (everybody else does why not me)

Example – middle or small suited connectors in early position etc

Willing to win You losses back

Checking often how much You lost or win already

Starting to cold call in early or middle position

You are easy target to squeezers – they will 3bet and You will be forced to fold

Betting out then table texture indicates already You are lost

Remind yourself reason why did You call or bet (draw, hoping for set etc). It did not happened – take deep breath and see what opponent will do or just fold and go on with next hand

Tired/ long session

Forcing yourself to play then You should not – better go read some articles or study game

AVOID – REMEMBER -Poker is game of the skills not luck. There is always coming up another hand after few seconds or You can start next session after little while (internet after all)

CALLING BIG BETS

Calling all ins is almost always bad thing to do

All in preflop is mostly ''lucky'' bet/call. Every two cards can win in this game.

All in without ''nuts'' at later streets is somehow ''lucky'' bet/call too mostly - everybody will get ''good made hands'' time after time - respect that

Big River bet – fighting with wrong enemies

Got to remember micro limit players are not usually betting out big without good reason Specially then passive player does or aggressive player does after calling or checkin earlier streets. Rule – then somebody will do something unusual be afraid

AVOID - REMEMBER - Small win is better then big loss. It will take long time around the tabel(s) to wait and win it back

BAD BLUFFS

Bluffing on somebody who's WTSD is over 30%

They will not fold whatever happens at the table

Bluffing in multiway pots 

Somebody will come along for sure, bigger opportunity somebody will hit something

Bluffing on half way 

You are showing weakness in wrong time and wrong place. Then started to bluff You got to go all the way and strongly or don't do it at all

AVOID - REMEMbER - Not so many players at micro levels will bluff or know how to play versus bluff then You might think. Leave it for ''better'' players