I’m on two weeks of vacation from work, and am in a routine where I get up a couple of hours before anyone else in the house. I usually check my email, take some notes for my book, surf the web a little, check some scores….and, oh yeah, play a couple of quick SnGs!
Today was no exception. I played a $2 non-turbo single table and busted out in 9th place on a relatively weak hand. Then I got into a $6 turbo and took second place. Net gain was $8 or so (though even noting the win amount is a bad habit; it’s a so-called “results-oriented" attitude, which is not conducive to winning. Huh? Long story short, I’m reading a book I received for Xmas called The Poker Mindset that cautions against looking at daily results and instead recommends just focusing on playing each hand for max EV, ignoring whether you win or lose…. But I digress.)
Anyway, after I logged out post-game, I went back and thought about some of the recent morning SnGs I’ve been playing. Anecdotally, I believe I’ve been doing better in the second morning game then the first. I need to check my PT stats to be sure, but I believe I have a better win record in the latter games I play (when I play two, that is). What’s going on?
I think there are a number of factors at work, but one thing for sure is that I’m playing smarter poker in the second game. Certainly, I’m being tighter, more aggressive, and I’m trying to pick my spots with more analysis. It’s almost as if I am using the first game as a warm-up to the second. A practice game, if you will.
Unfortunately, I often play the higher stakes game first, usually just breaking even for the morning session. I’m going to change the order of that for the remainder of my vacation and see if I can post some bigger wins. Why not? Athletes stretch before working out, basketball players shoot around, baseball pitchers warm up before throwing the first live one. Hell, race car drivers practice on video consoles right before strapping in for a big race. Why should this silly game of poker be any different?
The guru’s commandment #1 is Thou Shall Be Prepared. Before he plays a big game, the guru takes a sauna, does some light aerobic work, and does deep breathing biofeedback-type mental calming. He also plans his strategy and tactics. But what if we add “practice game” to this warm-up strategy? Maybe playing a small stakes game first is a good idea. Maybe even make it a play money game? Exercise the brain a little and start thinking poker BEFORE getting into a high(er) stakes situation where it counts. (And, as an added bonus, if you win the first game, you’re essentially free-rolling in the second, higher stakes game… oh, but that would be “results-oriented" thinking, and I wouldn’t do such a horrible thing, would I? ;-) )
All-in for now….
-Bug
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