Hi Jared,
Just picked up your first book and if you dont mind I am gonna type some stuff out here as an exercise. And if you have any comments on the below I'd appreciate.
I can lose pots for a lot of money and smile and just not care as I realize that's just a part of poker. And unless 5 happen in a row and my bankroll takes a huge swing it wont really affect my emotional level to any serious degree. This has been achieved thru a lot of experience and not playing significantly out of my bankroll.
Recently a situation happened that got my emotion levels higher then they should be. As you note tilt is not sudden its a gradual process so I would like to explain the lead up to my heightened level of emotions---
First scenario: I opened MP, bunch of callers, kid squeezes, I call being deep after almost considering 4betting, someone behind me who originally called repops we all fold. (note: surprise squeezer was doing this light)
how i felt: was annoyed putting so much $$ into pot and not even getting to see a flop. slight tilt. I almost 4bet myself thinking he was squeezing light, but didnt and then someone behind me (who I am friends with) later told me they repopped it up light cuz they thought the squeezer was light. Had I made the right play, it would have been much better and as played this was the worst result I could of asked for.
injecting logic: There are 2 issues at work that I see 1) not going with your read/making a mistake and 2) being annoyed that someone squeezed light. (getting super annoyed with how the action goes down --usually stemming from a player doing something that doesn't fit my criteria).
Logic---
1) mistakes gonna happen, sometimes out of the blue, especially as you play more and more poker going without mistakes is not possible. Make note and learn from it. You need to learn to deal with mistakes and dismiss them without letting them bother your emotional levels to much (see section in book on why perfectionism is impossible).
2) Why cant a player choose to play however he wants and why does it have to fit your criteria? Stop being self entitled and so illogical! Occasionally hands like this going to happen and ideally they shouldn't trigger your emotions at all if you want to truly master the mental game.
Second scenario: I open CO, SB calls and same player squezes BB light and c/fs a flop . I end up winning an inflated pot thanks to the BB against the SB.
how i felt: indifferent/slightly happy as I won the pot but just thinking wtf this kid is 3betting in my head almost everytime I open.
fix: Although my emotions weren't changed, its pretty funny that I violate rule #2 once again. Thinking a player isn't entitled to take whatever option he wants in poker and even when I win profit from his mistakes I still think he isn't wise for choosing to target me like this in a live setting (as I am not the fish) but the fact is he can do whatever he wants and it shouldn't bother me one bit. As when I get position on him (being a much more experienced player then him can make his life just as much more hell once I get position on him). But the fact I want to get position on him and just own the shit out of him in future sessions might show my competitive drive (which I think is needed) or might show a leak in taking shit to personal. What do you think?
So when someone is 3betting me a lot IP in a live setting its a clear leak that I need to work on. I know some adjustments that I can make and hands that I can/cant defend but I more need to focus on my emotional tolerance for this. For some reason it really bothers me when I am going to constantly face light 3bets IP against light ranges.I've read sameoulus quote, and I think i just need to constantly monitor my emotions with this spot and examine it at a later time and keep injecting logic.
Third scenario: I open utg, he squeezes me in MP. I play back at him postflop. As for my post session analysis I am fine with cr flop light (was better for my range, and I think hes on a short bankroll) but should of c/f the specific turn card that came (okay to cr flop and barrel 90% turns but not this specific one). He ends up winning big pot with a rather speculative hand that he 3 blled.
how i felt: So overall during this time, I am thinking why is he 3betting me with this shit from these positions. Does he not realize I am better then him and I can make his life hell if he wants to really play me like this next time I am at the table. How dare he!!! Also I am very hard on myself for making a mistake and betting turn. 'I shouldnt of bet the turn, I therefore lost $XXX, do you know what I could of bought with XXX had I just played better.'
logic--- same as first one. 1) Mistakes going to happen, learn from them. 2) People can play however they want.
In a later session I see this player lose a lot and play bad, so its awakening to realize the money he wins he will most likely give it back. Do not be self entitled and do not think you can win every session because that's why poker is poker.
Lots of mental game leaks above
. Did not realize it was soooo long, but any comments/advice you have on how I am approaching the mental side and my new journey to improve it.