Game Selection...personal reflection

[tommy2]

I have just purchased TPOP and am thinking about the following statements and how they are related:

"Poker winners do not deny reality. In fact they make their profits from other people's denial." (pg. 10)

"Choose the right game for you." (pg.9)

One of the things I have noticed in my game is that I often refuse to believe that I am the worst player (or one of them) at the table. I spend my time (and money) trying to chase cards and make moves that ultimately prove the contrary point to the one I am trying to make: that I belong at the table. The sublimation of my ego to my intellect is one of the biggest challanges I face; that is, quiting is hard even when I "know" I should quit. For example, I don't like to admit that my record at 10/20 is pretty spotty compared to my record at 5/10. I continue to work up my bankroll at 5/10 only to squander it at 10/20.

The battle with myself is maybe the most interesting part of this game. Anybody have any thoughts on how to best control these destructive impulses?

[jdl22]

I think in your case stop limits could serve as a nice crutch and would help.

I'm curious to what the others will say as to an actual solution to the problem.

[Jimbo]

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I'm curious to what the others will say as to an actual solution to the problem.


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Stop playing 10/20/? Or was this one of those trick questions?

Jimbo

[Al Schoonmaker]

Your post indicates an open mind, which is not very common. You recognize that your pride interferes with your objectivity. So does mine, and almost everyone's. You seem willing to consider the possibility that you're not ready for 10/20.

I don't know whether you are or not because I don't know how large your sample is. If you have played only a few times at 10/20. spotty results don't mean too much. If you've played many times, they would suggest that your game has to develop more, and that you might be better off to stay at 5/10 until it has developed.

If your record is only spotty, I doubt very much that you are one of the worst players. They don't have spotty records. They lose almost every time.

I would encourage you to have a successful player (10/20 or higher) analyze your game. The best way to do it is to sit behind you while you play. The next best method is to record hands and discuss them with your "coach." A poker discussion group is an excellent source of coaching. So are various forums here such as Mid-limit HE.

If the coach costs you a reasonable fee, it's worth it.

As long as you keep an open mind, you can develop yourself. When you think you have nothing more to learn, or when you deny evidence, you're in big trouble. I do NOT see signs of either in you.

Regards,

Al

[tommy2]

Thanks to each of you, especially you Al. I am trying to keep an open mind about my play, I listen to players I know talk about their game and it is: "bad beat this, and bad beat that"...not very productive, I have decided. I was really humbled to learn that 90+% of players are long term losers in poker. I really want to be in that 10% (and I am, so far).

Two of you mentioned getting a coach, I would love to do this, but live in Madison, Wisconsin. Is this something that can be done online or on the phone, or is this strictly a live thing?

Game selection was mentioned by ChrisBrown. Chris, I think you are so right. I often know a game is not right for me, too many maniacs makes me a maniac and too many rocks makes me gamble too much. I really need to work and think about this.

Thanks everybody!

[Al Schoonmaker]

Three of my friends give lessons, and telephone calls are one of their methods. Jim Brier took lots of lessons from Bob Ciaffone only by telephone for a long time before having face to face conversations. Jim and Bob ultimately wrote a fine book, "Mid-limit holdem poker." Bob's email is thecoach@chartermi.net.
Barry Tanenbaum has some clients that he has never met face to face. He has a very successful coaching practice, and he also teaches at Poker School Online. His email is pokerbear@cox.net.
Matt Lessinger has not worked by telephone with clients, but he has given me lots of "lessons" that way. One of his clients has been playing only five months, but has won two of Royal Vegas Poker's "Play the Experts" tournaments. His email is mlessinger@hotmail.com.
David Sklansky occasionally gives lessons, but he is much too advanced for you.
I recommend all three of them. They all know their stuff and how to teach it.
Regards,
Al

[easypete]

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David Sklansky occasionally gives lessons, but he is much too advanced for you.


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Ouch!!! That will leave a mark.

John Feeney, in his book "Inside the Poker Mind...", mentions that he spoke to Sklansky on several occasions when switching levels, which I think I remember being less than 10/20. He also mentions that one of his biggest regrets is not speaking to him earlier.

Is it the case that for the lower limit players, that there are other coaches and consultants that are more bang for the buck, or just Sklansky would be too far over our heads to get anything out of a conversation with him?

[Al Schoonmaker]

Everything I say here is just an opinion. I have not discussed this issue with David. If I make an error, I apologize in advance.
David has always been very expensive, and he is now making so much money from books and other sources that I doubt that he has any interest in teaching unless the fee would be extremely high. You could not economically justify paying such a fee unless you were playing at least $60-$120, probably higher.
In addition, David is not interested in teaching basic strategy. He would be bored teaching anything that a non expert would want to learn.
If you are a very advanced, high stakes player, you should try to retain David as your coach. For any other level of player, I would recommend Matt, Barry, or Bob.
Regards,
Al

[bunky9590]

Yeah Doc. Matt is pretty good. Breaking out the old school AC connections huh? We were going toe to toe in the last expert series game. Had Matt and Louie Krieger both on my left. Bunky suvived, they did not en route to my final table appearence.

[Al Schoonmaker]

Matt and I talk about poker very frequently, and I've learned an immense amount from him. I must also say that one of his students, Joopy, has had incredible success. She started playing poker in January 2004. She has won two Royal Vegas Poker Play the Experts titles, and I just got an email tonight that she had won a 3K PL tournament.
That's the best proof I can offer that Matt is one hell of a coach.
Regards,
Al