It doesn’t matter what temperature the room is, it’s always room temperature.
For the last few weeks I have been deeply immersed in becoming a better poker player. Trying to understand what exactly my leaks are and discovering via video’s, books and on line forums what the best players in the world do in each situation. Probably what makes my game so exciting is the fact I do have the ability to “win” – win cash, win SNG’s and win Tournaments…..the potential is there.
So far I have watched about 20 video’s on line. The three subjects I have devoted my time to have been thoroughly covered in these video’s. The first series of video’s I watched were on SNG play. Cliff Josephy is the author of these video’s and he really does a fantastic job of illustrating the mathematics and thought process that goes into bubble play. I think early on most SNG experts I watch play a pretty straight forward game of poker. Stay away from hands that require much from the flop and try to play great hands for value. The play continues in this way until the blinds/antes become a factor and its at this point where GREAT plays occur. The ability to push or fold is a skill that I always thought was a read “situationally” – it was just time to push. What the author has opened my eyes too is the value of everyone’s chips from a money point of view, and that the timing of each decision is less about what cards you have – but more about what cards can call you and the likelihood that an opponent holds those cards.
Although I haven’t got one yet – I guess the recommendation is that a SNG player get his hands on a poker calculator like SNG tools or power wizard to help understand these “ICM” (independant Chip Model) decisions. Maybe someone reading this could give me an opinion on if they felt those programs offered “great” value. My SNG play has really improved. I have dominated the $1.00 SNG and built my bankroll to the point where I feel comfortable at the $3.25 level. So far so good.
My first $3.25 45 man Turbo took place last night. It wasn’t long till we were down to the final 15 and I sat 15th. I played extremely well at one point being short stacked and finding myself with AJ. In the old days that would have been a shove or call on most players. But a large stack made it 3x the big blind, and after reading his strength, and the value of his chips – I decided that a shove was not the right play. For him to risk his chips in the stage we were in – he had to have a better hand. He did call an all in shove with AQsuited and my read was right. I went on to finish fifth for a tidy profit, and lost out on a tough river A10 suited vs. KQ suited. Unfortunatley for me my opponent hit his diamond flush and I dropped out of contention for the win. Again, I think my bubble play was so much better based on my learning experiences these last few weeks.
In the MTT world, I discovered that I can apply much needed muscle and heart (to quote Doyle Brunson) at the right time, maybe more so than others. In big tournaments I am willing to fire a second and even a third bullet if need be at a large pot if I have the gut feeling that my opponent is weak. Strictly on gut feel…which I think is one of my biggest curses. I have been learning again to make better “reads” and judgements based my betting ability. This is of great value to me – learning to read my opponents and perhaps ease up on the gut shoves and calls. So far the results have been pretty solid. I tend to have a lot more chips early in the tournament because the weaker players will shove into a big hand whereas in the past I might have avoided those hands like KQ, QJ etc. because to be frank I wasn’t confident enough to play “poker” with those starting cards. Obvious to me that I have a lot to learn on the end game – as I tend to misplay in middle and end stages of a tournement. It won’t be long until I’ll need to learn how to clear the final table hurdle.
And finally my play in cash games has improved. I am learning that cash games are the most difficult form of poker for me. The problem is I tend to struggle playing tournament style poker when loosening up might be the way to go. On this front – I am rereading Super System. I think all the learning I have done in the game with regards to different games, styles and tactics makes reading the books much easier. I get the view point and understand the concepts so much better. Still not really enjoyable to read pure dry theory – but I think my new skills make rereading each and every book a must.
So that’s where I am at. I still love to learn, and realize that I have so much room to grow.
Finally I have submitted a “poker resume” to the poker gods for a chance to be the Two plus Two Super Nova Highway candidate. I would love to get off the donkey expressway….and finally this EXCEL spread sheet is based on Harrington on Hold em Tournament series…I hope you find it helpful. Click on the link below.
Harrington on Holdem Starting Hand Chart
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I think it is very interesting that you are spending so much time trying to learn to become a good poker player and then spend time playing a low limits where there are no good players. You get tips from Johnny Bax who is one of the greatest tournament players ever who has bested the best in the business… and try to apply that information to $3 SnG’s. That is like learning an NFL system and trying to run the plays in a Grade 9 gym class.
Good luck in your 2+2 SNH application. Let us know how it goes.