Events of the last post - Background Part 2 - have been those of the past week, 11th July and things in terms of my poker achievements have not improved. This week, so far, I have played about 10 $5.00-$0.50 tournaments and about 8 of those have moved been placed in top 80 with about an average stack size. I continue to have these brain explosions, mainly where I am holding A6 for instance and there are, say, 3 others in the hand. The board has 7, A, 2, 4, 9 and betting has been small, I have a pair of Aces, nothing else and for some reason go ALL-IN, or bet large and get raised so I re-raise or ALL-IN. I don't even consider that someone has two pair which is what has been happening. Just terrible poker play.
The main issue that I have is that I always up to that point play quite good poker, I build my stack, play the hands that are strong and fold the week. Indeed I quite often will fold pre-flop with A7 or KJ if there is a lot of betting and raising happening. So I can play well but for some reason I get into a panic or get ahead of myself and don't think about the possibilities and end up paying the consequences. I should at the moment be well ahead and should have out of the 10 tournaments that I have played this week at leat made 1 final table, but I have come away empty handed.
So, I'm registered for a tournament at 6pm today (AEST -4am EDT) a $5.00+$0.50 plus $500 which has a flatter prize structure so hopefully I can at least get into the money. I need to ensure that I read the board correctly and think about the possibilities based on my hand and what people have been betting. What I really need to ensure is that when I am betting large or even thinking of an ALL-IN to hold back and consider what is going on, what I have and what odds are involved.
I'll let you know how it goes...
