I think I need a mentor…

Posted by loser64

March 25, 2008

Been playing the cash games, I have had a lot of ups and downs. I am trying to avoid the downs and focus on my play and getting better. My game and bankroll has come a long way over the past few months, due to the training I have already started, I just need to continue to tweak my game in order to get better and better.

I have also chased the Iron Man on Full-Tilt for the last 2 months. I made Bronze in February and will make Silver in March (need 1 more day at 50 FPP’s by the end of the month). I only have 1 day this month that I have not got at least 50 points and that day I had 47. 50 FPP is not a challenge; you can get it in an hour or less at my level and playing 4 tables. As the weather gets warmer and the kids and I get more active and my job has me traveling more, this status will become less important to me. I plan on taking this time to work on my game and my head.

I have started to take a more critical look at my game; more to the point I have been looking at how I prepare for the game. I know the mechanics, in general I know the hands to play and fold. I need to improve the other aspects, when to call or fold in marginal areas. This came when I noticed a player following me around, he would steal my blinds and bet me off hands when the flop missed what he perceived as my hand range. I did pick up on this when I noticed him waiting at all the tables I was playing and there were open seats on other tables. My VPIP is low about 17% and my PF raise is 9%. I need to be more active.

I have been taking my hand histories and running them through a universal re-player and watching how I played then hand and how my opponent has played the hand. I now starting to make notes on paper and then search for the player when on line and put the notes on them. In addition I can see what I do wrong, and I am seeing plenty.

I had a friend tell me that he is too busy playing and dos not have time to study, of course he also refuses to read a book. I have been following this as well, I have had Harrington on Hold Em Vol. 2 for a year and have not finished it, and I have had the Professor, The Banker and the Suicide King since Christmas and only have read 120 pages. I have 23 days left on my poker fox membership and have not watched all the videos, yet (the ones I have watched have really helped). I have down loaded Pokertracker3 and have not used it to analyze my play enough. See a pattern here

So here is the plan, I currently play about 30 hours a week, I plan to cut that to about 20 to 25, the balance is going to working on my game and reading books, watching videos and watching my play through the re-player. Take notes about my opponents and my play. I plan to play less tables and pay attention more.

My development plan is not due to any set backs, its due to wanting to get better. If anyone is interested in helping I could use all the advice I can get.

Life Lesson: Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. -Will Rogers

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