EN
Mystery
My story is not about a Vegas trip. Two days ago I was in one of the resort cities in California and I played poker in one of the major Casino's there. I sat down at a pretty tough table and played really really well: bluffed at the right moment, was very tight most of the time, attacked mercilessly when I held a good hand. Anyway, I left the table + 1000 (2-5 NL). Feelling very confident I went to another casino next day and I noticed a very soft table. I sat down and...minus 800. I don't even know what the reason was really, but I think it has something to do with psychology. Have you guys ever felt that way? I know many people call it steaming, tilt or whatever, but what can you recommend? How to determine when is it a good time to leave? I know there is that mystery moment when everything seems to go wrong.
Thats why they say poker is 60% Mental, 35% Physical, and 25% Luck.....
Wouldn't want to infer too much from such short-term variance in results, but is it possible that your style tends to play better at one type of table than another? I find this is true for me.
@Kingofdonks
If that's true it would take 1.2 people to play a hand.
When I sit at a table, and have not yet gotten a good feel for where I stand at that table, I begin playing (without realizing it) at the average level of the table. That is, at looser games, I tend to begin by playing loose, and then must correct my play once I've pegged the table as such. And I think this is a trend not just in poker but in most competitive games. Left unchecked all poker games would be loose, as most of us are lazy at heart and tend to play at the bare minimum, so to speak, of our particular competency level. The next time you sit at a fishy table, begin by imagining that Brunson or Sklansky are on the rail, watching your every move. Play like you would play if there were poker talent scouts looking for the next exciting tv player. It sounds corny, but if you at least have a good feel for how you are playing (regardless of whether you are in the red or the black) it will make it easy to decide whether to leave or stay.
@psujohn
If that's true it would take 1.2 people to play a hand.[/quote]Or 86% one Yogi Berra:
http://www.rinkworks.com/said/yogiberra.shtml
A lot fo the time playing against too soft of competition can mess up your game.
For example, I was playing at bellagio in the 2-5 and i knew exactly what cards the player had. I had a straight and was trying to bet him out of his flush draw with his 5c7c. On the river, I knew he had hit his flush and the look on his face was that he wasnt confident with his 7 being his high club in his hand. He bet about 70 dollars in to a medium pot and i reraised him all-in for 300 more. Most players at this point with a 7 for a flush would fold, and he probably thoguht he was beat with a higher flush but he called anyway. I gave him the chance to get out, but he wasnt experienced enough to this there was a good chance me, the dominating player at the table at the time, had a higher club than he had when there were 3 possible face cards plus a few more higher clubs left.
or when a player tels you he will call you no matter what even tho he doesn thave a god hand. its jsut to soft of competition and they are trying to win any pot by throwing their money in it.
I wouldn't read too much into it really. Like you said... one night up 1000 next down 800. still 200 in the plus for the set of days, and like many more experienced players say when they're knocked out of the WSOP in like 1,000 place, they usually just say, "That's Poker for ya". (Then they leave the room kicking and screaming obsenities
)