Ego tilt

[Gamblor]

I have been playing mostly 3/6 and 5/10 on Party for the last couple weeks, and doing relatively well, up about 300 or so over what must be 20 hours.

Yet, I sometimes notice myself steaming or otherwise tired, but still interested in Poker, so I drop down to a 2/4 game.

I find myself deciding that I'm better than everyone else and I start making awful raises i.e. with ATo vs. 4 limpers, etc. etc. I seem to think that if I'm ultra aggressive, I'll win any pot simply because I deserve to, simply being better than everyone else.

Does anyone else experience this? I suspect I'm turning into a maniac.

[Big Jon]

Yeah, that's typical of good players. They think they can run over the average low-limit games and save their "A-Game" for the higher stakes. You did hit it on the head when you called it "tilt," though. I like John Feeney's definition of tilt: tilt is when you make a decision that you know you shouldn't. In this case, you are experiencing "ego" induced tilt. Of course, you've already gotten a jump on it because you've identified it. Next time you find yourself dropping back to 2/4, make sure that you keep alert for bad raises.

[Nate tha' Great]

I think that's pretty common. One alternative to consider: if I'm too frazzled to play Hold'em well at $3/$6 or $5/$10, but am still in the mood for some recreational poker, I've taken to playing other games (usually Stud/8) for play money or at very low limits.

Last night I played my first ever hand of PLO and made The Wheel, so obviously I'm a natural. I plan to use my winnings to build hotels on Marvin Gardens and Ventnor.

[scotnt73]

Gamblor, i do something very close to this except mine is more like reverse tilt. I play correctly until I get a rush of cards and then my standards start to loosen way up until ive lost my profit and tighten up again. Im just now starting to fight these urges after 2 months of break even online play.

[CrackerZack]

[ QUOTE ]
I plan to use my winnings to build hotels on Marvin Gardens and Ventnor.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not entirely sure why, but i just spit water out on my keyboard. Damn that's funny.

[berya]

LOL big time. Ego tilt --> Mega tilt this past Saturday night.

Excuse: practicing my maniac gear. LOL.

[stripsqueez]

i'm with the replies to this thread but i do have a sense of unease

the most arrogant people i know are all very fine game players - some of the worst players are also arrogant but they are also ignorant and unthinking

i think lady macbeth would of been a fair poker player - devious bitch that she was - "looketh like the rose but be the serpent under it"

stripsqueez - chickenhawk

ps - you may be excited to know that the Mr Burns casino episode aired on commercial television in adelaide, south australia, tuesday 10/11/03 at 6pm local time - a fine episode - although for the record my favourite episode contains the quote "hmmm a sextet of ale"

[MrGrob]

Yea, you have to let people give you money at the low limits -- don't try to take it -- at the higher limits, you can start to try to steal more...the skills are different, and the low limit ones are more boring, but that is what you have to do to win. The best advise that I ever got was, "Don't try to represent a hand into a large low limit field with a lot of players, or any field for that matter. Someone probably has that hand, or a few are drawing to hands that can beat it anyway. Have the cards and take the odds, but don't try to take the money--let them give it to you." (lose quote, but that is what he said) -- very Lee Jonesish if you ask me, but right on.

Now, don't forget, however, that some low limit games (Paradise / Stars) play like high limit games, and some high limit games (Party etc) play like low limit games sometimes. Never equate a limits to player ability, always look at it from a table / player perspective and a big bet perspective (not the dollar amount). Your skills as a good poker player are in adjustments and choice in what "skills" to use / hold back on, not the fact that you have played a high or low limit -- anyone can play any limit with the right roll and the right skills. I have played all limits now, and other than adjusting for tables and individuals, I have seen no differences. A tight table is a tight table -- a loose table a loose table. Only question is whether you have the bank roll to play. (note, this is online -- IRL, reads etc come into play, and that may alter things a little or a lot based on you.)

Not sure if that helps, hurts, or is just writing to hear myself write, but I think it is true.

[Al_Capone_Junior]

Getting MORE aggressive at lower limits is senseless. You're going to more often need the best hand to win, like just about every time. So aggressive moves are usually a waste of time, except for value bets or raises, or raises to drive people out. In real loose games semi-bluffs and bluffs become mostly useless tactics. In general you should play a more passive (tho not SUPER-passive) game as you drop down in stakes.

al

[davidross]

I had someone call me weak-tight at the table one night and I let it get to me. I went out of my way to be hyper-aggressive and I lost big time over my next few sessions.

There is an appropriate level of aggression for each game and the trick is to find it.