Hi guys, new poster, theoretical question

[pergesu]

I was reading Zen and the Art of Poker in B&N the other day, and the author discussed running hot and cold. He basically said that when you're running cold, you shouldn't push small edges because, well, you're just not doing well at the moment. He also says not to go to war against players who were running particularly well.

It just left me scratching my head, and I thought it was totally wrong. Anyway I think the only reason I'm even bringing this up is because of the book title and the fact that you have an interest in Zen. *shrug*

[splashpot]

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He basically said that when you're running cold, you shouldn't push small edges because, well, you're just not doing well at the moment.

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The only way I could justify this is if losing with those small edges will put you on tilt and cause you to make -EV moves. Otherwise this is just gambler's fallacy.

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He also says not to go to war against players who were running particularly well.

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Again, gambler's fallacy. Unless those players are not just "running well", but infact skilled players.

[tjh]

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I was reading Zen and the Art of Poker in B&N the other day, and the author discussed running hot and cold. He basically said that when you're running cold, you shouldn't push small edges because, well, you're just not doing well at the moment. He also says not to go to war against players who were running particularly well.

It just left me scratching my head, and I thought it was totally wrong. Anyway I think the only reason I'm even bringing this up is because of the book title and the fact that you have an interest in Zen. *shrug*

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A book on poker should not use terms like "running hot" or "running cold". When I discuss poker with someone and they start talking like that I basically give up on getting worthwhile info advice or enjoyable discussion from that person.

"Man the low cards were really hitting last night so I started to play them and it really paid off"

"My pocket pairs had not caught a set all night so I knew I was due"

This comes down to confirmation bias and superstition. The only time this silliness works in your favor is that you can use other folks superstition against them.

If they think that you are "running hot" or "catching cards" well good for them, keep betting. Just do not make the mistake of believing that you are an "ace magnet".

[pergesu]

I'm pretty sure that it's not about poker strategy, but rather about a mindset with which to approach the game.

Of course this kind of thinking is incorrect...no book is without error, and there are other parts to it which are valuable. The "running hot/running cold" section does serve a purpose though in my mind - it's good to at least think about it, if only to come to the conclusion that it's incorrect.

Anyway like I said, I only made the initial post because of the loose coincidence between the book title and Irie's interest in Zen. I don't want to hijack this thread anymore.

[benfranklin]

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I was reading Zen and the Art of Poker in B&N the other day, and the author discussed running hot and cold. He basically said that when you're running cold, you shouldn't push small edges because, well, you're just not doing well at the moment.

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Taken at face value, this makes no more sense than betting the ranch on black after the wheel comes up red 5 times in a row.

It could have some meaning if "running cold" affects your game, and your judgement. Howard Lederer advocates a 30BB stop loss rule, not because of "money management", but because if you have lost that much, it is probably affecting your game.

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He also says not to go to war against players who were running particularly well.

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This sounds dead wrong as long as his play is not affecting your game. As long as you are playing correctly, an opponent's heater is likely to adversely affect his judgement, making him feel like he "can dodge bullets" (copyright 2005, Phil Hellmuth). A fish on a heater tends to play more loose and aggressive, and makes him a prime target.