My thought on "10 Surefire Ways to Improve Your Results" by Dave
First off, I loved the 10 suggestions, but #4 had me thinking a bit....
So here was #4:
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4) Game selection
If you are the tenth best poker player in the world you will lose money if you constantly play against the nine guys who are better than you. Choose tables at which you are among the strongest players. Avoid tough games. Don’t let your ego force you into the biggest game you can find.
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I agree, and disagree at the same time.
On one hand I agree because if I want to make $, I want to play against people who have almost no idea what they are doing, and over time, I will take their money.
However, bigger games with bigger payouts is where I want to be, and when I am there, surely I will not be playing against a bunch of sucker fishes. I will be up against the best of the best. In this case, I need to be trained well, which means I probably will have to take my good share of ass whoopin to get to be at that level.
Further to that, I have always believed in the "You become like those you hang around" idea...so I feel like I want to be at a table with people way better than me - just not all the time.
So yes, to "Improve your Results" you should play against worse players, but to improve yourself, which in turn would have an immediate impact on your results, it is imperative to play against those who are more skilled than you are. There is a balance to be struck - but dont rule it out.
So my Rule #11 would be to play against people who are better than you enough so that you improve as a player, but no so much as to lose your bankroll in the process !
So here was #4:
***************************
4) Game selection
If you are the tenth best poker player in the world you will lose money if you constantly play against the nine guys who are better than you. Choose tables at which you are among the strongest players. Avoid tough games. Don’t let your ego force you into the biggest game you can find.
***************************
I agree, and disagree at the same time.
On one hand I agree because if I want to make $, I want to play against people who have almost no idea what they are doing, and over time, I will take their money.
However, bigger games with bigger payouts is where I want to be, and when I am there, surely I will not be playing against a bunch of sucker fishes. I will be up against the best of the best. In this case, I need to be trained well, which means I probably will have to take my good share of ass whoopin to get to be at that level.
Further to that, I have always believed in the "You become like those you hang around" idea...so I feel like I want to be at a table with people way better than me - just not all the time.
So yes, to "Improve your Results" you should play against worse players, but to improve yourself, which in turn would have an immediate impact on your results, it is imperative to play against those who are more skilled than you are. There is a balance to be struck - but dont rule it out.
So my Rule #11 would be to play against people who are better than you enough so that you improve as a player, but no so much as to lose your bankroll in the process !
Comments
right here !
http://www.canadianpoker.com/amateur_poker_playerB/amateur24.htm
In chess, this means you get an a** whupping. Poker is not the same, though. In poker you can move up a level and discover that there are still five players in the game who are not as good as you and four who are better. In this case, you are playing with/against more skilled opponents but you are still a favourite in the game as a whole.
Ain't poker great.
It is interesting seeing how many people with 2nd pair will fold when they come out betting. I raise to stop the betting with position, when on a big draw, and of course with the nuts.
good tips.
Good point. I will take my name of the list for the $1000/2000 NL game tonight @ the Bellagio.