Why I play (hint:: $$$$$)

[Hermlord]

A lot of people make comments like "I don't care how much I'm making, I only care how well I'm playing" or "results are unimportant." Am I the only one who cares only about how much money I'm making?

I care about how well I'm playing because I understand that it will make me money in the long run. If I suck out on someone, I don't think "I'm upset because I played poorly." I think, "I'm happy I just got real money, but I should fix that error because it will cost me money in the long run."

I try to play the best I can at all times (meaning I don't *try* to suck out), not because of its theoretical beauty, but because I know it is the best way to get the $$$$$ that I want. But I can't spend Sklansky bucks, I can only spend U.S. bucks, so in the end that's all I care about.

I'm exaggerating to make a point: I do think poker is a great exciting game (I keep Art of War right next to ToP and SSH) that I want to be good at. But that's not why I play. I play for the green.

Anyone feelin me?

[bdk3clash]

Kind of. I can't control my results, but I can control how I play. I choose to focus on the thing I have control over, because otherwise the variability of short-term results would drive me nuts.

[AncientPC]

All people care how much they're making, but they say comments like the ones you stated because they understand that results and playing well do not always go hand in hand.

Basically people say stuff like the above to prevent themselves from becoming results oriented.

[Michael Davis]

From your post, it is obvious that you do not make more money playing poker than if you were working at McDonald's. Thus, you do not play poker strictly for money.

-Michael

[Hermlord]

You got me, Mike. I've uninstalled my poker clients and filed a McJob Application. It's just too bad you didn't help me out sooner.

I really dislike posts like Mike's. Besides the fact that it contributes nothing, is not funny and is factually incorrect, it is clear he did not read my post carefully. Many people do make posts indicating they prioritize results over correct play *and act accordingly,* which is clearly wrong. I am using the same words (like result and outcome) but that does not mean I am making the same point. *Emotionally* I care only about the result, but *operationally* I care about and make correct decisions (to the best of my ability). Don't believe I can successfully make this separation? Fine, say so, I am trying to start a discussion here. But don't jump to conclusions about what I'm saying just because I use words that some fish also use.

Edit: though untrue for me, it's pretty elitist to say that playing for minimum wage isn't playing solely for money. If someone is a marginal winner and would rather play than grill quote-unquote meat, I think that's a pretty good way to go. Of course they should make every effort to become a stronger player and hence bigger winner.

[Michael Davis]

The tip was the way you talked about sucking out in your post, not anything else.

Playing for minimum wage could be playing for money, but if your concern is that, why not get a job that pays more? I mean, seriously, money is never the only concern. At least convenience, comfort, etc. come into play.

-Michael

[Hermlord]

You mean the part where I say "I'm happy I won that pot by getting lucky, but I recognize it as an error and will try to fix it?" Sounds pretty reasonable to me. What's the problem?

Edit: I'm talking about suckouts where I only learn of my error after the cards are flipped over. If I knew I was making a mistake to chase during the hand, I would make the correct fold.

[Lash]

I believe Michael is referring to the wording in the next paragraph..."meaning I don't *try* to suck out". Even the majority of below average players don't analyze situations thinking, "how can I suck out on someone?" I'm guessing you don't think that way either, but your words seem to suggest that you are not valuing correct decision making enough.




[ QUOTE ]
You mean the part where I say "I'm happy I won that pot by getting lucky, but I recognize it as an error and will try to fix it?" Sounds pretty reasonable to me. What's the problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

[paland]

[ QUOTE ]
A lot of people make comments like "I don't care how much I'm making, I only care how well I'm playing" or "results are unimportant." Am I the only one who cares only about how much money I'm making?Anyone feelin me?

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree with you 100%. I love it when people at the table say that they play "correctly" and then get pissed when they get beaten by a "lower" hand than theirs. Hey, It's not 2 card stud.

I am talking about NL tournaments here and I am quite sure that hand selection in Limit is very important, but early in a NL tourney, if I can limp in with anything, I will. And I mean anything, especially on the button and the next few to the right! Mainly because I steal SO MANY pots. Just like Doyle said in his book, Supersystem, people just fold and fold and fold. My Junk wins so many pots.

I would rather play "bad hands" and win the tournament than play properly and just barely make the money. And I do win a lot of tourneys playing lots of junk hands.