There’s SO much more to this game that we are just uncovering.
I still think it’s fascinating how good players make some bad decisions.
Very bad decisions.
I’m trying hard to keep making good decisions, natch.
I see, over and over some player who’s game you respect (maybe a stranger who sits next to you and talks good poker strategy with you for hours) go broke (or give away a lot of $) by doing something stupid.
Why does this happen?
Well, even the “rock” or super tight player gets bored, frustrated (steaming, tilting, etc..) and makes some wild, risky plays.
When I was in Vegas last weekend, why didn’t I give the fool credit for the backdoor flush? (I had AA). I should have when he bet $70 (into a $70 pot).
Patience is a word that’s expressed easily, but (in a cash game) am I really patient enough?
People at Shelia’s game (and Vegas too) “pick on” me sometime when I raise or call a big bet.
“I bet he has AA or KK, because he tight”
Yeah, I know I need to raise occasionally w/ 87suited in late position to mix it up a bit, but in general I love it that I have that reputation because I use it to bluff too.
And not just the reputation, it shows that I AM playing properly – way tighter than the average player.
Anyway, my new theory now is that I need to be even more patient and that the good opportunities WILL happen and I have to just wait for them. Wait even longer than I am now, which is a long time!
For example a bad opportunity is (1/2 NL cash game) : You have pocket nines in the BB and the SB is on tilt he’s been ready to go home for a 15 mins. It’s folded to the SB who goes ALL IN for $45.
You feel he can easily have a lower pocket pair or even something like AQ suited, so you call.
Bad call!
We need to wait for opportunities that are much more certain.
