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[aokrongly]

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[jackvance]

These kinds of positive approaches to stabilizing my game never really worked for me personally. I think it depends on your personality. For me, the fear of losing is what keeps me in line and concentrated and prohibits me from doing stupid things, not so much the focussing on positive aspects of playing a good game.

When I'm not afraid to lose money is a personal tell-tale sign I'm gonna be losing a LOT if I keep playing.

[cardsman1992]

Well stated, aokrongly.

You are a role model. TY

[Irisheyes]

I am willing to FAIL trusting myself rather than Succeed by Not Doing So.

Could this not be really dangerous to reaching your goal if through some sort of ignorance you were going in a direction which was not actually beneficial to reaching said goal? How wise is it to subbornly trust yourself (considering you could be wrong)?

[NoSocksLLC]

These kinds of positive approaches to stabilizing my game never really worked for me personally. I think it depends on your personality. For me, the fear of losing is what keeps me in line and concentrated and prohibits me from doing stupid things, not so much the focussing on positive aspects of playing a good game.

When I'm not afraid to lose money is a personal tell-tale sign I'm gonna be losing a LOT if I keep playing.

IMO, the fact that you say "these kind of approaches have never worked for me" pretty much dooms you. You have to let it work, IMO.

Good post, Aok.

Best,
EW

[aokrongly]

I am willing to FAIL trusting myself rather than Succeed by Not Doing So.

Could this not be really dangerous to reaching your goal if through some sort of ignorance you were going in a direction which was not actually beneficial to reaching said goal? How wise is it to subbornly trust yourself (considering you could be wrong)?

First, Jack, to each their own. I know others who aren't big fans of this style as well. I'm sure your's works for you well.

Irish, I love this comment. The answer is, I don't know but I have to trust something. Considering the work I put into creating this game and the success that I've had with it, I feel more confident trusting it than something else. In the end Something has to stay consistent, if for not other reason than to prove it doesnt' work. But history shows this game works great and it works best if you just operate it and let it do it's thing. That's why I need to just follow it. Also, part of "my game" IS the function of making changes over time based on observations and records. But that isn't what I was doing. I was breaking my poker rules. And that's something different.

I know there's a huge camp that says poker can't be played by rules. I respectfully disagree with the premise. Everyone follows some structure and rules (at least everyone good). Rule #1 is (and is universal), if someone pushes all their chips at me on the river and I have garbage, I will fold. Every other rules just adds to that one.

But, anyway, I do see your point... Can stubornness be a problem? It Can! But, reworded Consistency can be an asset.

And, again, my goal isn't to win more money faster than anyone else. It is to have a Performance game that produces consistent results as predictively as possible. Keep an eye on me though. I can get stubborn at times.

Maybe i'm being stubborn now. Only time will tell.

[samsonite2100]

Great post. I was thinking along similar lines today. Woke up hungover and frazzled and proceeded to drop two buyins after taking a couple of really bad beats. It bothered me--not losing the money, since I'm compulsively over-rolled, but losing control of myself.

Lots of elements contribute to long term poker success, but I'm convinced that mental and emotional control is the bedrock foundation of good play. After I stopped playing, I went for a drive and decided to never log-in and play again if I don't feel like I'm firing on all cylinders. No playing hungover, drunk, tired, angry, hungry, etc.

It's not that you can't win money in these states, but as you astutely pointed out, winning at poker is more about holding money than making it, and that's where you need to be on your A game. When you're not at your best, you tend make plays based on emotion--on wishful thinking and hope. And making plays based on wishful thinking is the signal quality of bad play.

Anyway, once again, great post.

[Irisheyes]

I think I'm just more of a "I WILL suceed by ANY means nessecary, wheather that involves trusting myself and what I know or throwing all my knowledge out the window and restarting with what someone else knows" kinda guy.