July Results

This is my 200NL graph for July:

Pretty ugly stuff mid month but do have some positives to take from the bad times.

Will do an overall review tomorrow but poker made me over $2700 in July and that is after deducting a pretty hefty up front payment to my coach so would have been closer to $4k otherwise.

Not bad for a month where all my posts seemed to be full of negativity :)

Unstuck

It has been a very tough month but it feels good to be looking at green numbers again :)

Sigh

So I spoke to soon.

This hand from last night sums up how I am running lately:
http://weaktight.com/289861#html

More fighting back to do and if I manage to break even at 200NL for July I will be pleased.

Fighting Back

First of all thanks to everyone for their support during tough times......which lasted all of four days :)

Over such a short period i'm not sure it even qualifies as a downswing but just posting that graph provided me with the motivation required for a big review of my game. HEM is great for such a review and it actually took me a lot less time that I was expecting.

I have learned from past experience that it is a mistake to keep starting from sctratch and instead I have identified two, possibly three, concepts that need some work in order to fine tune my game.

Want to watch my B game?

Then check this out:

http://www.deucescracked.com/videos/53-King_For_a_Day_Part_Deux/387-Season_Premiere

This was the last 30mins of a session and at the time I was 5 buyins down. Was definitely not at my best so perfect time to hit the record button for coach to have a look.

EDIT:

I just realised this session was recorded during the downswing graph below.

This is a good example that bad results can easily take you off your A game and if you are not fully aware of what is happening at this point your entire roll could be in danger.

Downswingaments

If all goes to form then tomorrow will bring my first ever 20 buyin downswing.

Dropping 17.5 buyins over 4,500 hands is pretty damn impressive if you ask me and it has got to the point that getting stacked just makes brings a wry smile.

The poker mindset tells us downswings don't exist. This suggests otherwise:

Out of Power

Have decided it's time to learn Heads Up and started by watching an old Krantz video where he goes over the basics like starting hands etc.

One thing that struck me more than anything is the empahsis of playing hands in position. He translates OOP to "Out Of Power" and obviously this is not exclusive to heads up games.

I have had a bit of a downswing recently and reviewing sessions is even more important during these times. Posting some hands on CR has helped but most of all it seems that I am have a bit of a problem playing big pots with no Power.

Results can take care of themselves

For some unknown reason I now find it impossible not to look at my stats all the way through each session.

Making the best decisions over and over again is the key to maximising profit, yet I find myself constantly checking my short term stats (like every 20 hands) which is just ridiculous and must stop!

Avoiding stats until session is over is going to be my number 1 priority until I get this awful habit under control.

The above contributed to a slight loss at 200NL this weekend but on a more positive note I finished 4th of 1127 in a $26 donkament on Saturday night for almost $2,300 ;)

Understanding Leverage

“Essentially, the beauty of Leverage in position means that our opponents can basically do nothing right”
- Balugawhale, Leverage is your Friend (DC Article)

Putting your opponent in a situation where they can do nothing right can only be a good thing!

Coaching endorsement

E-mail received from a student of mine today:

Just want to thank you again for taking a losing 50NL player to a winning 100NL player. Thought you might like to see this, hope you get a kick out of it.

Love it!

July Targets

Premier League

1. Conduct hand reviews and post problematical hands on forums.
2. Recognise and avoid passive tilt.
3. No looking at stats during session. This includes last lap.
4. No AIM or Internet during play.
5. Give study full 100% concentration. It is not an inconvenience!

Championship

1. Use button, or more specifically position, to put opponents under pressure.
2. Work with coach on monthly reviews.
3. Develop workflows for balanced strategy including c-betting.
4. Plan hands based on opponents. Start plan pre-flop and adjust pre-flop play if necessary.
5. Be prepared to check fold flop when out of position, even if I have the lead.
6. Resist the urge to play some 400NL. I still want to crush 200NL first.

Lower League

1. Website
2. Revise coaching rates
3. Learn Omaha Cash
4. Learn HU Cash