Poker Articles

Costa Rica was a good time.  I made some new friends and even went fishing.  Unfortunately, I was pretty card dead and made (now that I look back at it) a critical error at the final table.

Fairly early into the tournament, I had AK of diamonds and nobody had been knocked out yet, I had around 230k in chips avg around 530k and blinds were 6-12k.  UTG makes it 40k and I'm in 4th position.  I convince myself from the way he was betting and acting that he was loaded and the best course of action is to fold.  I convinced myself of this, most likely, because I wanted to secure a little more money (a guy at the table was really short) and not go for the win.  I am an idiot.  A few friends have told me this.  Oh well.  I moved up a few spots, but maybe things could have been different.  I saw about 80 hands and that was the best one.  I was CARD DEAD, but, I could have perhaps changed things here.  I'm not going to get upset, just learn and never do it again.

Other than that, I caught a tuna and ate it on the boat with loewa, haligon and his friend.  The food was good, it was hot and I did not catch any diseases (as far as I know).

Vegas was fairly uneventful, I did well in a few small tournaments, didn't play the main event, nothing to write home about.  Right now, I'm in the Bay Area, Sausalito to be exact.

I've tried to stay on a more even keel and not get upset about bad beats.  I haven't been perfect, but been much better.  As long as one makes good decisions, there isn't much else in poker, the cards will either fall or they won't------ getting upset at the table gets you nowhere, and if you mouth off you look like an idiot.  I've thrown a few sarcastic quips here and there, but much less and I want those to stop----- maybe I can start fining myself.

I am trying to create a code of conduct for myself which would probably be good for anyone playing for a living:

1. Always try and make good decisions (at the poker table and in life in general). 

Learn what a good decision is in the long run as well (playing to win rather than inch up--- see above).

2. Always show class at the poker table. 

Some players may improve their game and put other's off by acting like a jerk, but that's not for me.  You get one life to live and creating a good atmosphere will make you a happier person on and away from the table.  You don't need to make friends with everyone, but being a jerkoff is not good for the soul.  Try and emulate the pros with class and not the know-it-alls.

3. Live a healthy lifestyle

It's tough on the road, but eating right, not drinking to excess and getting exercise will help your game.  When I'm feeling better I'm playing better.  I see too many players that smoke, eat crap, drink too much and never exercise.  I'm going to make a HUGE effort to get back into shape and eat only good food.  It takes a LOT of effort (especially in Vegas) because the bad, quick food is readily acessible and the drinks are on the house a lot of the time, but you get one body and when it's working at full efficiency in can only help your game.

4. Track your progress and study your game and the game in general

I agree with Green Plastic's post a while back about doing your homework.  You need to examine your game, what hands you seem to do best with in certain positions, keep good notes on your opponents, play games you seem to do best in and avoid ones you don't, what times of day you do well or not, how you do under a number of coniditions, etc.  If you are not doing your homework you are being lazy, plain and simple.  Read the poker books and see what the great players think.  Accountability is a big deal in poker and in life.

5. Be Humble and willing to Listen to others

We always have something to learn.......shut your mouth and open your ears when someone respect is giving you advice.  Ask players you respect questions, but ask questions where you are interested in hearing a truthful answer.  Don't let your ego get in the way of your wallet.....you may need to take a step back and rethink things, you are not as good as you think.

6. Take a step back every now and then

Take a few days off, go to the movies, concert, sporting event, go out with friends, etc.  We can get so caught up playing poker that we don't do much else, that's no way to live.


I'm going to try and live by this code, it will be tough, I'm getting there.  I'll try and tighten it up a bit (perhaps it's a bit rambling right now).  I hope everyone is doing well.