The best advice I've ever gotten - Page 3

J.A.Sucker · #21 05-25-2005, 10:50 PM

The Diablo is correct, of course, though I'll clarify a little bit.

The thing to realize is that your opponents are capable of noticing things, too. At decent limits where people can win and lose thousands, even the livest players pick up on who's been winning and who's been losing. In the casinos and online, people really have a good idea who's getting the money. It's scary, really. The people in the cage, the floormen, the dealers, everyone. When you're winning, people often assume that you're unstoppable, and this allows you to play better than you should. They won't take shots at you in medium sized pots - and better yet, they'll fold their marginal hands. Thus, you win more, and have fewer tough decisions to make. When the ball is rolling, you should play bigger.

Similarly, you are usually playing very well when you are winning; your decisions are better, and this helps. Usually, it's a matter of your perception of your opponents and their perception of you meshes well to make you better than you really should be. Plus, getting lucky helps.

The flip side also occurs. It's possible for live ones to be playing a style that makes you a loser, even though they are losing to others in the game. They also play differently with different days, and are more susceptible to playing differently, since they believe in things like rushes, lucky seats, etc. Maybe the live one in the game is having a fight with his wife, and this could cause him to play differently, and better, against you. Now, you find yourself having people take shots at you in medium sized pots, and make you face tough decisions. The perception of YOU by your opponents is a key thing, and this can effect you in ways that most don't realize. Of course, this doesn't even take into account the other tough players in your game. The best ones know who's on short money, or playing a bit scared, and they will dominate you.

When these things happen, it's often best to drop down, and often to try playing somewhere else for a bit. With strangers, you have a clean slate, and go back to the basics. At the lower limits, decisions become more pot-driven and less opponent-driven, and this can help you get out of the hole. The money that you are playing for is less, and this can always help matters.

The condition of the game often can change very quickly, and when you're playing well, you can pick up on this, realize it, and adjust. When not playing well, this is harder, and often impossible, even for the most tilt-free. The real suckers are the ones who stay there and get their beatings when they shouldn't be. This sucker doesn't do that anymore, and those are some of the reasons why.

NMcNasty · #22 05-25-2005, 11:03 PM

I would assume that if you have the willpower to stop playing at the stakes you're playing at and find another table you also have the willpower to untilt yourself.

roy_miami · #23 05-25-2005, 11:09 PM

the opposite is true for me. I find if I have had a good day so far at 15/30 maybe up $1500-$2000 and move up to 30/60, I play horribly. I always have it the back of my mind that I could lose everything I won in 5 or 6 hours grinding it out at 15/30 in maybe 40 or 50 hands. I play like a complete nit. Conversely, I play as good, of not better if i move down to 10/20 knowing I will finish the day ahead, even if I do get cold decked for a few hours. Whenever I take shots at a higher level (30/60 for me), I feel I play my best when I'm either even or down a bit for the day, ideally just starting out.

SinCityGuy · #24 05-25-2005, 11:12 PM

Never bet more than you can afford to win.

Ray Zee · #25 05-26-2005, 02:24 AM

maybe mike and i do have something in common. i buy houses also. i have lots of them and cant afford to play too high as my money is there. where i want it to be. kinda.
its crazy not to take your money and put it into assets that will grow. i am sure you do as well because mike has had a lot of influence on you.

Clarkmeister · #26 05-26-2005, 02:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
mike has had a lot of influence on you.

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, now I'm really scared.

Ray Zee · #27 05-26-2005, 02:27 AM

hank, when top players say something that you dont think looks right maybe you need to dig deeper. or perhaps your understanding is shallow.

Ray Zee · #28 05-26-2005, 02:35 AM

sucker you know better than to kiss ask with diablo. dont give him an inch until he buys dinner next time and makes up for that steak house next to the ball field.

DcifrThs · #29 05-26-2005, 02:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
the opposite is true for me. I find if I have had a good day so far at 15/30 maybe up $1500-$2000 and move up to 30/60, I play horribly. I always have it the back of my mind that I could lose everything I won in 5 or 6 hours grinding it out at 15/30 in maybe 40 or 50 hands. I play like a complete nit. Conversely, I play as good, of not better if i move down to 10/20 knowing I will finish the day ahead, even if I do get cold decked for a few hours. Whenever I take shots at a higher level (30/60 for me), I feel I play my best when I'm either even or down a bit for the day, ideally just starting out.

[/ QUOTE ]

seems like you should just paly 15/30 until you have a roll worth playing w/ at 30/60...then you wont play scared.

Barron

Ulysses · #30 05-26-2005, 03:34 AM

Ray,

I am splitting my time between cities doing business in NYC and SF now. Sucker is hearing tales of all the chicks I am hanging out with in NYC and is being nice to me just in case the rumors are true.

And yes, I realize I will have to buy you a steak at one of my secret places next time you are in town so I can get you to shut up about that last one.