So, i’ve about figured myself out. I go into a game hard, lose my money, learning a bit about the players, before tightening up. Knowing this, i’ve tightened up earlier in the game and i’ve begun to reverse my losses online. It is really clear to me that i am much more impulse and out of control online. Knowing this, i must adjust or give up the game. So far, adjusting is proving to be a success.

Tip of Month: The Short Stack

Well this may not be a regular feature, but periodically I’ll share a tip that ranges on the blatenly obvious. Today’s Tip: Go after the Short Stack. In tournaments, that’s pretty much the rule, but i’ve found that in cash/ring/side games, that the guy with the short stack, likely got the short stack by being a lousy player. Yesterday, I worked that information like magic, to help a couple of guys reduce their stack to 0.

This isn’t fool proof, but remember to watch the action so you can find the guys who are trash cards and fishing for hand.

By now you must be totally wowed by my use of language! Yes, whether it’s French, German, or even Japanese, i can find a word, sometimes 2, to make it seem as if i do more than sit in front of the computer all day! LOL

So, i continue to talk about the lousy play i’m exhibiting at the online tables. I realized that anyone reading this might want to get a piece of my stack by looking for me online. Well i’ve been playing at Party Poker and the increasing popular Aloha Poker, so if you see me, say hello as you take my money!

This Software Is Rigged: and other rants!

So the two most common outburst seen/heard at the online poker table, is 1) the guy you just beat calling you a moron and 2) the guy who’s AA pocket pair just lost yelling “this software is rigged”! In both cases, the guy making the comment probably isn’t qualified to make reach the conclusion.

The flaw in the in the rigged software scenario is the motive. Why would a poker room, that keeps a rake off every real money game need to cheat? With operators like Party Poker sporting revenues approaching $1 billion, via poker rake, what need or incentive would the operator have for risking their business with “rigged” software. People who distrust any online gaming business, seem to forget that all casino games have a built-in edge/commission/profit for the house, so there is plenty of money to be made, without any cheating.

The reason that so many people seem to draw out a win with a crappy hand, is that so many people play crappy hands that you normally do see make it to a showdown. i think someone is less likely to hard play a suited 3-9 at a casino, either out of fear of embarrassment or not being able to keep a strait face. Either way, i think the online bad beats and miracle hands are a function of too many people playing too many hands.

Well i hate to admit, that I, the 1250 ish(and dropping) top pro player (according to http://www.pokerpages.com/ LOL) have been losing at online ring games. Yes, i can’t seem to play a good game online, without tilting and losing my game stake. No, this is not to say that I don’t ever go up while playing. In fact, i usually start out by winning some hands, increasing my stack by 50% to 100%, then I lose discipline and lose my winnings - plus the original stack, before cursing a bit and shutting the game down.

Is this the Poker version of the Yips? Is this like my golf game, where I inevitably start out well, lose focus, discipline and fall apart in the 2nd half of the game?

Well, I for one think it is. All tasks that require thought/focus can be effected by the player’s mental focus and discipline. The difference between Tiger Woods and the also rans, is his consistency. And when Tiger loses focus, even his game can stink.

What is the solution to this Yips/Choke problem that i’m having? Well for playing online it’s all about keeping focused. Since i have a short attention span, I will beginning limit my play at ring games to 30, 45 and 60 minute sessions and compare my results.

Remember, if you aren’t playing as well as you can or should, then don’t just whine, do some research to figure out the problem and a possible solution.

Well, i’ve just awakened after 7 hours sleep, the most time i’ve slept in  over a week.  The Party Poker Millions V is over and the players have headed back to their homes.  Soon the promotion for the Party Poker Millions VI will underway. The final stats on the tournament are out and this will list all those who finished http://blog.partypoker.com/partypokermillion/day4/the-final-6.html

 I’m now planning to enter a number of WSOP Limit events and am excited to head to Vegas (june 29th) to both play and catch up with some new found friends. On of these buddies is Tomo Honda, who i put All-In, early on “cut” night, he came back, played strong and finished the tourney 19th. Mr. Honda, a engineer with a PhD, will be showing up in the money at other events in the future.

In the next week or two, i’ll be talking a bit more about the tournament, Card Player Cruises and my Prep for the World Series.

Mike Schneider, a 22 year old American, won the Party Poker Millions V tournament and walked away with the $1 million first prize.  The final 6 players of the 528 starters, began play at the final table at 2pm EST aboard the Holland America Lines ship Westerdam.  The final 6, all American males, included Kenna James, Drew Chitiea, Scott Buller, Richard Joel and Devon Miller.  Miller was the short stack going into today’s play and was knocked out within the first few hands.

Richard Joel went All-In with pocket 8s on the turn, but lost to Drew Chitiea who drew a 2nd King on the river. Joel finished 5th winning $250,000.  Chitea in turn went down to Kenna James, when he went All-In with Q-10, but lost to James 3 kings, finishing 4th. Scott Buller finished 3rd winning $500,000, when his All-In was called and won by Kenna James.  James, is reported to have not had “the cards” throughout the day, when he lost when he was Blinded “All-In”, giving the 22 year old from Minnesota the big win.

Mike Schneider’s contingent of over a dozen, loud and loyal friends cheered him on. These same friends spent much of wednesday night hooping and hollering about how their friend was going win it all.  Schneider sat there, throughout the evening, listening, contemplating, but not saying much at all. Whether just his personality or his game face, Schneider brought the same, quiet determination to the table and walked away a winner.

I guess student loans won’t be a problem for this “Man from Minnesota”.  I never came up against Mike and am grateful. As the 5th Party Poker Millions final ended, it was clear that another exciting tournament had pleased almost all those who had entered.

Personally, I met a lot of great players and nice people in the tournament. Despite my sloppy play (mainly from lack of sleep) the vast majority of players, though tough competitors, are just nice, friendly people.

Finally one word about www.CardPlayerCruises.com: Excellent. Linda Johnson and her staff of dealers and floor people have kept dozens of tournament and money game tables going nearly 24 hours a day.  These folks are not just top professionals, but friendly, helpful and on top their game.  Look for the finals on TV soon, but when you see David Lamb announcing from Table side, realize that he was not just announcer, but the tournament director and a man who is a true poker professional in Reno and a regular member of the team that runs the WSOP every year in Las Vegas.

We’ll I’m off looking for some dead money…..and hoping that it’s not sitting in MY pocket.

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