What's been happening:
More research on Sleep/Diet/Exercise to improve mental clarity and play at peak more often and for longer. Mainly sleep this week. I have a stack of papers to sort through, understand, and pick out the pieces that will help. I already know there is a LOT of improvement that can be made in this area.
Those 3 things look to be the 3 pillars of good physical and mental health and something I'm very interested in for the high stress, long hours, thought/memory intesive profession that I'm in. I'll try to blog more on findings, things to change, ways to implement etc. when I can. One thing that I think will be very helpful is synching my sessions with circadian rhythm peaks. It would be nice if that aligned with high traffic times. So far, online reports say online traffic peaks at either 2 or 4p.m. ET. Unfortanately, 2p.m. is typically a circadian rhythm dip. Well, I'll figure it out. I also want to start incorporating power naps between sessions to improve awareness. More on all this later.
Didn't get to read more on economic theory applications to poker, but it's on the agenda.
Tonight is Alan's game. Robin is coming to it tonight. No specific plans which is my fault. I definitely could have spent a couple hours thinking about it rather than watching Sopranos episodes. I definitely want to incorporate some preflop 3betting/squeezing at some point, not so much to balance my range (doesn't matter vs them), but to pick up a TON of preflop dead money. They will also think that because I am so aggressive pre-flop with some bluffs, that'll I'll be bluffing just as much post-flop, which will not be the case at all. Not tonight though. Just going to play, try to focus on each hand, play well, and enjoy the evening.
Tomarrow, I will be definitely getting in some hands and starting rakeback. It's nose to the grindstone time.
Researching ways for a better diet, one that keeps energy levels high and even throughout the day (and balancing blood-sugar levels) as well as fighting mental decline through age. Also wandered from that into sleep, ways to get the best sleep, best amount of sleep, power naps for renewed focus and clarity, sleep cycles, circadian rhythm, etc. Found out some interesting things that promote sleep such as core body temperature and more on the obvious importance of sleep for mental clarity, focus, and energy levels throughout the day. Some on exercise, especially pertaining to energy levels, stress reduction, and better sleep. Diet, exercise, sleep look to be my initial core elements to maintaining strong mental health, reduced stress, and operating a peak performance for larger amounts of time.
Quote of the Day
"Being wrong is erroneously associated with failure, when in fact, being proven wrong should be celebrated, for it is elevating someone to a new level of understanding, elevating awareness."
Zeitgeist Addendum
Zeitgeist Addendum
State of the Game
So much going on right now. I'm hitting the "books" again - watching videos, reviewing notes, etc. I've set up a daily study routine that consists of:
I've set up a file system a la GTD for poker for "projects" and I think that will help me keep things just as organized as it has my life over the last year. The best thing of all is that having everything so well organized allows me to stop thinking about it, knowing it will be taken care of and not lost or forgotten, and focus on what I'm working on.
Currently, the projects are Diet, Exercise, and Sleep. Each week I will contribute something to each of these as long as they are still projects. As my study continues, I can add deliberate practice projects such as Math, 3betting, playing deep, playing live, etc.
I've also been reading the things on neuroeconomics. It's so fascinating how poker is connected to everything. It's just a game played with cards. No, it's a game of people, politics, and psychology. The psychology part alone is universal. At first you just think it's a game played with cards and chips. Then you realize there's some strategy behind it; it's not all luck. Then you realize there's actually math behind it. You can actually prove plays are correct mathematically and infer the amount you will win long-term, regardless of short-term results. For many, it stops here. Oh no, this rabbit hole goes much deeper.
Neuroeconomics, and the prospect theory in particular, explains a naturally occurring lapse in logic people experience when facing loss or gain. It isn't specifically meant for poker, but all the basics are there. And that is why poker is universal. The chips and cards are just tools, just objects, not really all that relevant. The core is the person, and that is why these studies that may have originally come from stock market studies, or sports psychology, or evolutionary tendencies-they can be applied to poker. It's a game about people.
Anyways, doing just some initial reading has given me insight on why I'm sometimes to careful or nervous before playing or getting involved in a hand. Why I sometimes lack confidence even though my results and all my logic tell me different. It's not and instant-fix, but the first step is understanding the problem. The last few days I felt a bit of a weight lifted just from the act of making the unknown, known. Now that my enemy is revealed, he can be defeated.
- Reviewing notes
- Doing a session review and post hands/reply to forums
- Watching a video
- Deliberate Practice planning
- and finally recording a 1 or 2 hr deliberate practice session (to be reviewed at some point, still have to work on that)
I've set up a file system a la GTD for poker for "projects" and I think that will help me keep things just as organized as it has my life over the last year. The best thing of all is that having everything so well organized allows me to stop thinking about it, knowing it will be taken care of and not lost or forgotten, and focus on what I'm working on.
Currently, the projects are Diet, Exercise, and Sleep. Each week I will contribute something to each of these as long as they are still projects. As my study continues, I can add deliberate practice projects such as Math, 3betting, playing deep, playing live, etc.
I've also been reading the things on neuroeconomics. It's so fascinating how poker is connected to everything. It's just a game played with cards. No, it's a game of people, politics, and psychology. The psychology part alone is universal. At first you just think it's a game played with cards and chips. Then you realize there's some strategy behind it; it's not all luck. Then you realize there's actually math behind it. You can actually prove plays are correct mathematically and infer the amount you will win long-term, regardless of short-term results. For many, it stops here. Oh no, this rabbit hole goes much deeper.
Neuroeconomics, and the prospect theory in particular, explains a naturally occurring lapse in logic people experience when facing loss or gain. It isn't specifically meant for poker, but all the basics are there. And that is why poker is universal. The chips and cards are just tools, just objects, not really all that relevant. The core is the person, and that is why these studies that may have originally come from stock market studies, or sports psychology, or evolutionary tendencies-they can be applied to poker. It's a game about people.
Anyways, doing just some initial reading has given me insight on why I'm sometimes to careful or nervous before playing or getting involved in a hand. Why I sometimes lack confidence even though my results and all my logic tell me different. It's not and instant-fix, but the first step is understanding the problem. The last few days I felt a bit of a weight lifted just from the act of making the unknown, known. Now that my enemy is revealed, he can be defeated.
"Is Tiger Woods Loss Averse" and its relation to poker
Currently reading a research paper released in June (http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1419027). The paper uses golf as the subject, but the underlying principle applies to almost to many other areas, including poker.. It's provides evidence from over a million putts on the PGA, to suggest that even seasoned, experienced experts are loss averse. In other words, they focus and perform better when facing a possible poor result or "loss" (in this case, when putting for par), than they do when facing a very good or "winning" result (in this case, a birdie putt). Also, they are more willing to take higher risks when behind than when ahead. This can be immediately thought of in poker regarding typical player's decision-making behavior when way down vs. way up. People typically gamble more (i.e. take more risks) when trying to break-even than they will when they are way up during a session. Often a player that is way up will pass on high risk situations even though that situation may be very +EV, whereas the same player would get involved if way down. He is loss averse, and just as the paper suggests for golf, this mistake is very costly.
This paper isn't the first to suggest this when referencing economic models and how an agent's decisions are affected when faced with different levels of risk. The first was called the Prospect Theory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_theory). However, this paper suggested that these affects were diminished in agents of great experience. In other words, pros on the PGA Tour would not be susceptible to being loss-averse and their decisions would be consistent. The current paper uses all the evidence of putts to try to prove this wrong; that even highly experienced agents were still loss-averse and it is costing them wins and money.
On last thing to mention in this post that was pointed out in my limited reading so far is that the researchers believe people put a lot of value and focus in something that is really irrelevant: Par. It's just a reference point that people judge their success by, that really has little meaning in how they are and should be playing. This is why they suggest people focus more on the par putt than the birdie putt. It's the fear/pressure/etc of going over par and taking, what they would consider, a loss. They aren't faced with this during a birdie putt. This same imaginary, irrelevant reference point that everyone looks at to judge their level of success/failure exists in poker. It's the break-even point.
A session is far too small a sample for a win or loss to be evidence of performance for the most part. The volatility has not had time to even out and can deviate greatly from the mean. However, it is very hard for experienced players and especially novice players to separate their results from their performance in the short term. Win a lot and you feel like you are playing great. Lose a lot and you will feel like you are playing terrible. The truth may be the complete opposite.
Even though this reference point is irrelevant, we falsely give it value and it, in turn, affects our decisions. Something that has no value in decision-making but still affects our decisions is not optimal and leads to inconsistencies and mistakes. An easy example of this is passing on a +EV spot when we are way up because a loss would leave us break-even or down (i.e. high risk and we are now risk averse), even though we would take that spot at other times just because we are in a different position with regards to the irrelevant reference point (like when we are down or even) . We cost ourselves money and make poor decisions just because we are loss averse.
I know I suffer from this loss aversion. It's not something this just applies to a person in one realm, but follows through to other challenges. Often in other games, when way ahead, I freeze up. Since I'm watching the SF4 Evo championships right now, I'll use Street Fighter as an example. Some rounds I'll be far ahead of my opponent, crushing him the entire time. But if I'm about to get a perfect or sometimes just win by a lot, my game will change and I'll start to get destroyed. It doesn't happen a lot, but when it does, it definitely makes me sit up and think "WTF IS HAPPENING?!" I instantly go from playing well and aggressive to playing too safe, too careful, and end up playing much worse than I should. Similar things have happened in MTG with an X-0 record. It seems like when it does happen, as soon as I lose, the pressure is off and I'm back to feeling comfortable and playing more aggressively for the win. This fits right in with the Prospect Theory and a person's risk aversion when "gaining", versus their risk tolerant nature when "losing."
Lately, I've been reading a lot about clutch players and competitors. These are the guys that perform the best under pressure. It's a characteristic I want to develop and it is definitely, in some way, related to this study.
I'm going to continue to read the article and try to post up a summary of each section as I go.
P.S. I keep coming up with other ways this sort of thing affects me. Another way is, on a smaller level, when I start with a premium starting hand. Often, even with AA, I'm nervous when called of losing to a set or two pair. I feel the anxiety, especially when called on the flop, but have to fight back the want to check on the Turn. This is even more true with something like AQ with TP on the flop. It's true in Alan's game as well when called by many people. Instead of focusing 100% on the most EV plays, part of my focusing is almost dividing with the fear of losing with a strong hand. I don't have the same feeling if I have 33 or 57s. I start with a premium hand, I'm ahead, and therefore loss averse, even though I haven't actually won anything yet. It is almost like the though is "I have a good hand, I SHOULD win." I know it's bad thinking and don't consciously do it, but it might be very deep rooted and still having an very real effect. It's definitely a psychological barrier I have to get over. Fortunately, being aware of it is the first step to getting rid of it.
This paper isn't the first to suggest this when referencing economic models and how an agent's decisions are affected when faced with different levels of risk. The first was called the Prospect Theory (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_theory). However, this paper suggested that these affects were diminished in agents of great experience. In other words, pros on the PGA Tour would not be susceptible to being loss-averse and their decisions would be consistent. The current paper uses all the evidence of putts to try to prove this wrong; that even highly experienced agents were still loss-averse and it is costing them wins and money.
On last thing to mention in this post that was pointed out in my limited reading so far is that the researchers believe people put a lot of value and focus in something that is really irrelevant: Par. It's just a reference point that people judge their success by, that really has little meaning in how they are and should be playing. This is why they suggest people focus more on the par putt than the birdie putt. It's the fear/pressure/etc of going over par and taking, what they would consider, a loss. They aren't faced with this during a birdie putt. This same imaginary, irrelevant reference point that everyone looks at to judge their level of success/failure exists in poker. It's the break-even point.
A session is far too small a sample for a win or loss to be evidence of performance for the most part. The volatility has not had time to even out and can deviate greatly from the mean. However, it is very hard for experienced players and especially novice players to separate their results from their performance in the short term. Win a lot and you feel like you are playing great. Lose a lot and you will feel like you are playing terrible. The truth may be the complete opposite.
Even though this reference point is irrelevant, we falsely give it value and it, in turn, affects our decisions. Something that has no value in decision-making but still affects our decisions is not optimal and leads to inconsistencies and mistakes. An easy example of this is passing on a +EV spot when we are way up because a loss would leave us break-even or down (i.e. high risk and we are now risk averse), even though we would take that spot at other times just because we are in a different position with regards to the irrelevant reference point (like when we are down or even) . We cost ourselves money and make poor decisions just because we are loss averse.
I know I suffer from this loss aversion. It's not something this just applies to a person in one realm, but follows through to other challenges. Often in other games, when way ahead, I freeze up. Since I'm watching the SF4 Evo championships right now, I'll use Street Fighter as an example. Some rounds I'll be far ahead of my opponent, crushing him the entire time. But if I'm about to get a perfect or sometimes just win by a lot, my game will change and I'll start to get destroyed. It doesn't happen a lot, but when it does, it definitely makes me sit up and think "WTF IS HAPPENING?!" I instantly go from playing well and aggressive to playing too safe, too careful, and end up playing much worse than I should. Similar things have happened in MTG with an X-0 record. It seems like when it does happen, as soon as I lose, the pressure is off and I'm back to feeling comfortable and playing more aggressively for the win. This fits right in with the Prospect Theory and a person's risk aversion when "gaining", versus their risk tolerant nature when "losing."
Lately, I've been reading a lot about clutch players and competitors. These are the guys that perform the best under pressure. It's a characteristic I want to develop and it is definitely, in some way, related to this study.
I'm going to continue to read the article and try to post up a summary of each section as I go.
P.S. I keep coming up with other ways this sort of thing affects me. Another way is, on a smaller level, when I start with a premium starting hand. Often, even with AA, I'm nervous when called of losing to a set or two pair. I feel the anxiety, especially when called on the flop, but have to fight back the want to check on the Turn. This is even more true with something like AQ with TP on the flop. It's true in Alan's game as well when called by many people. Instead of focusing 100% on the most EV plays, part of my focusing is almost dividing with the fear of losing with a strong hand. I don't have the same feeling if I have 33 or 57s. I start with a premium hand, I'm ahead, and therefore loss averse, even though I haven't actually won anything yet. It is almost like the though is "I have a good hand, I SHOULD win." I know it's bad thinking and don't consciously do it, but it might be very deep rooted and still having an very real effect. It's definitely a psychological barrier I have to get over. Fortunately, being aware of it is the first step to getting rid of it.
Becoming a Better Professional Part 2
1. Deliberate practice
Musicians use deliberate practice. Golfers use deliberate practice. It is simply the most efficient way to practice that I know of right now. It's just identifying something to improve on, and then doing it over and over again, hour after hour, until the hole is patched. It's easy to just sit down and play poker and work on many things at once as they come up, but I should look to working on something specific each and every day. I should either look for a special session to do it, or just focus on it during the whole time I am playing that day. I should also re-read "Talent is Overrated" and take notes to use. The second thing on this list works hand-in-hand with deliberate practice of a leak.
2. Review play daily, weekly, and monthly
I need to be actively looking for leaks and thinking about my game and strategy as a whole. That's the way to build a stronger technical game. Daily reviews will allow me to look at individual hands and how I could have played them better, do the math, and get advice. I should be reviewing both HEM and videos. Weekly Reviews give me a higher perspective and make the stats more accurate. I can use this information to know what to work on and study the following week. Finally, the Monthly Review gives me a bird's eye view of my game and strategy as a whole. I can use this to look at stats and groups of hands (cbets, 3bets, etc) and find leaks as well as think of ways to improve my entire strategy and know what to work on over the next month. I need to set up a process or checklist for each to make things run more quickly and smoothly. I also will file the weekly/monthly reports to have a record to changes I've made or planned to make.
3. Be accountable
This is incredibly important. Being accountable is another trait I admire in GSP. He admits fault even in things that are not really his fault. For example, in the Alves fight, he said something snapped and hindered his performance. It was because their fight happened sooner than expected and he didn't have enough time to warm up. Most leave it at that; nothing they could do about it. But then hesitates, realizes he should never be making excuses, and then he says that it was his fault. He is a professional and the champion, and as such, should have planned for things like this and began warming up earlier. He accepts responsibility and is accountable even when it wasn't really under his control.
The reason being accountable at all times is so important is because it forces you to look for something you could be doing better, regardless of whether or not you actually can. Maybe you could have done something about it, but it is easy to miss and would never immediately realize it if you weren't diligently looking for it. If you are accountable, you will search for that hidden problem. Maybe you don't see a way to avoid what happened, but you discover something else related you could improve on. It may even lead you to thinking outside of the box.
If we are not accountable, we don't look for ways to improve. We don't think we are at fault, and then there is nothing to change. But we must always strive to improve and we always can. Being 100% accountable gives us the opportunity to improve; to find some area somewhere that is not perfect. It is a habit that will keep us busy looking for ways to reach our full potential. So when things go wrong, I must swallow that pride, admit that I could have done something better even if it's true or not, I can see it or can't see it, and create a habit that will always keep me searching and striving to be a better player the next time.
4. Coaching
Everyone needs a coach; an outside perspective. They will teach you things, make you question things, and give you a new view to a problem that you would not have seen on your own. It will also help to create a network of players that could be very beneficial in the future.
Also, I should look into coaching others when the time is right. That's one of the best ways to understand concepts and reinforce my foundation. It will also provide an outside source of income and provide some name recognition which could be helpful for future networking.
5. Consistent schedule with time off to relax
The body adapts to a schedule and to operate at peak performance, I need a routine schedule to follow. It will build daily habits and take more burden off of my mind about what I need to be doing and allow more focus to be on what I am doing right now. It will be less stressful and provide a healthier lifestyle. I also need to plan time off just to clear my head and relax or have fun. That will insure my performance can stay at it's peak without getting worn down over time.
6. Optimal sleep (amount and time)
Obviously, sleep is incredibly important too. Everyone needs different amounts of sleep to operate at their best. I need to research sleep, how to get the best sleep, what the optimal amount of sleep is for me, and implement that so that I can perform at my peak the next day with a clear head, lots of energy, and less stress.
7. Exercise
Exercise gives us energy and a healthy mind and body makes us feel better during the day. Sitting in front of a computer screen all day is not very healthy so I need a good routine that will keep me clear headed and relieve the most stress, as well as increase my heart rate to burn the most calories during the day while I'm working. It sounds like it will be mainly cardio. I need to research and experiment with routines that give me the most energy, focus, and mental clarity. It will also relieve stress and allow me to sleep better during the night.
8. Specialized Diet including supplements
Right along with exercise, diet is very important to keep me clear headed, healthy, focused, and energetic. Sugary drinks, junk food, large meals early in the day, too much caffeine at night, etc. are all things I must avoid to stay at my peak during the day. I should look at any supplements to improve focus if there are any. I also need a diet that can provide the energy for a cardio workout without making me too tired for the rest of the day. I will obviously do a low fat diet, and look into a low carb diet or some other "mental" diets that may be out there.
9. Meditation/Vizualization
Meditation is a great form of stress relief as well as a way to clear the mind. Just like we need to allow the body to recover after strenuous activity, we need to let the mind do the same. Clearing out my thoughts will allow me to focus more on what is at hand right now. Visualization is an important technique for establishing a stronger comfort zone with new things, syncing the mind with the body during performance, and gaining mental experience before the work.
10. Keep great records of monthly results
This will allow me to make better plans for future goals and projects, reduce stress from financial uncertainty, and allow me to keep better records for taxes. It can also come in handy as a reference tool for possibly future coaching.
Each one of these should be individual projects to work on implementing and then becoming habit or routine and allow me to be come the best player I can be and become a true professonal. Most of them qualify as individual folders for the GTD system and I will create that by Friday.
Musicians use deliberate practice. Golfers use deliberate practice. It is simply the most efficient way to practice that I know of right now. It's just identifying something to improve on, and then doing it over and over again, hour after hour, until the hole is patched. It's easy to just sit down and play poker and work on many things at once as they come up, but I should look to working on something specific each and every day. I should either look for a special session to do it, or just focus on it during the whole time I am playing that day. I should also re-read "Talent is Overrated" and take notes to use. The second thing on this list works hand-in-hand with deliberate practice of a leak.
2. Review play daily, weekly, and monthly
I need to be actively looking for leaks and thinking about my game and strategy as a whole. That's the way to build a stronger technical game. Daily reviews will allow me to look at individual hands and how I could have played them better, do the math, and get advice. I should be reviewing both HEM and videos. Weekly Reviews give me a higher perspective and make the stats more accurate. I can use this information to know what to work on and study the following week. Finally, the Monthly Review gives me a bird's eye view of my game and strategy as a whole. I can use this to look at stats and groups of hands (cbets, 3bets, etc) and find leaks as well as think of ways to improve my entire strategy and know what to work on over the next month. I need to set up a process or checklist for each to make things run more quickly and smoothly. I also will file the weekly/monthly reports to have a record to changes I've made or planned to make.
3. Be accountable
This is incredibly important. Being accountable is another trait I admire in GSP. He admits fault even in things that are not really his fault. For example, in the Alves fight, he said something snapped and hindered his performance. It was because their fight happened sooner than expected and he didn't have enough time to warm up. Most leave it at that; nothing they could do about it. But then hesitates, realizes he should never be making excuses, and then he says that it was his fault. He is a professional and the champion, and as such, should have planned for things like this and began warming up earlier. He accepts responsibility and is accountable even when it wasn't really under his control.
The reason being accountable at all times is so important is because it forces you to look for something you could be doing better, regardless of whether or not you actually can. Maybe you could have done something about it, but it is easy to miss and would never immediately realize it if you weren't diligently looking for it. If you are accountable, you will search for that hidden problem. Maybe you don't see a way to avoid what happened, but you discover something else related you could improve on. It may even lead you to thinking outside of the box.
If we are not accountable, we don't look for ways to improve. We don't think we are at fault, and then there is nothing to change. But we must always strive to improve and we always can. Being 100% accountable gives us the opportunity to improve; to find some area somewhere that is not perfect. It is a habit that will keep us busy looking for ways to reach our full potential. So when things go wrong, I must swallow that pride, admit that I could have done something better even if it's true or not, I can see it or can't see it, and create a habit that will always keep me searching and striving to be a better player the next time.
4. Coaching
Everyone needs a coach; an outside perspective. They will teach you things, make you question things, and give you a new view to a problem that you would not have seen on your own. It will also help to create a network of players that could be very beneficial in the future.
Also, I should look into coaching others when the time is right. That's one of the best ways to understand concepts and reinforce my foundation. It will also provide an outside source of income and provide some name recognition which could be helpful for future networking.
5. Consistent schedule with time off to relax
The body adapts to a schedule and to operate at peak performance, I need a routine schedule to follow. It will build daily habits and take more burden off of my mind about what I need to be doing and allow more focus to be on what I am doing right now. It will be less stressful and provide a healthier lifestyle. I also need to plan time off just to clear my head and relax or have fun. That will insure my performance can stay at it's peak without getting worn down over time.
6. Optimal sleep (amount and time)
Obviously, sleep is incredibly important too. Everyone needs different amounts of sleep to operate at their best. I need to research sleep, how to get the best sleep, what the optimal amount of sleep is for me, and implement that so that I can perform at my peak the next day with a clear head, lots of energy, and less stress.
7. Exercise
Exercise gives us energy and a healthy mind and body makes us feel better during the day. Sitting in front of a computer screen all day is not very healthy so I need a good routine that will keep me clear headed and relieve the most stress, as well as increase my heart rate to burn the most calories during the day while I'm working. It sounds like it will be mainly cardio. I need to research and experiment with routines that give me the most energy, focus, and mental clarity. It will also relieve stress and allow me to sleep better during the night.
8. Specialized Diet including supplements
Right along with exercise, diet is very important to keep me clear headed, healthy, focused, and energetic. Sugary drinks, junk food, large meals early in the day, too much caffeine at night, etc. are all things I must avoid to stay at my peak during the day. I should look at any supplements to improve focus if there are any. I also need a diet that can provide the energy for a cardio workout without making me too tired for the rest of the day. I will obviously do a low fat diet, and look into a low carb diet or some other "mental" diets that may be out there.
9. Meditation/Vizualization
Meditation is a great form of stress relief as well as a way to clear the mind. Just like we need to allow the body to recover after strenuous activity, we need to let the mind do the same. Clearing out my thoughts will allow me to focus more on what is at hand right now. Visualization is an important technique for establishing a stronger comfort zone with new things, syncing the mind with the body during performance, and gaining mental experience before the work.
10. Keep great records of monthly results
This will allow me to make better plans for future goals and projects, reduce stress from financial uncertainty, and allow me to keep better records for taxes. It can also come in handy as a reference tool for possibly future coaching.
Each one of these should be individual projects to work on implementing and then becoming habit or routine and allow me to be come the best player I can be and become a true professonal. Most of them qualify as individual folders for the GTD system and I will create that by Friday.
Becoming a Better Professional
GSP has been one of the fighters I respect greatly for a long time now. It's not just because of his ability, but one of his biggest strength's that allowed him to get where he is today: his attitude.
He's achieved what he has through another level of professionalism. In pre- and post-fight press conferences, he's the only guy in a suit and tie. He and Greg Jackson take their work very seriously and implement techniques of training, physical and mental, from various unrelated sources and apply them to MMA. Some of it is incredibly innovative. Things people may see as odd today, which will be common practice tomorrow. It reminds me of Bruce Lee, a philosopher and pioneer, who expressed himself through martial arts.
Many poker players lack that professionalism. It's a competition of old gamblers and college kid slackers and everybody in between. That next step for players becoming true professionals, the step GSP has recently taken in the fight game, the outside-the-box thinking of Greg Jackson, hasn't really been taken on a large scale. The truth is that seeing GSP as well as all of the other things I've picked up through the years from extraordinary people has inspired me to take that step of becoming a real professional.
Here's a list of 10 things I will start implementing to become a better professional:
He's achieved what he has through another level of professionalism. In pre- and post-fight press conferences, he's the only guy in a suit and tie. He and Greg Jackson take their work very seriously and implement techniques of training, physical and mental, from various unrelated sources and apply them to MMA. Some of it is incredibly innovative. Things people may see as odd today, which will be common practice tomorrow. It reminds me of Bruce Lee, a philosopher and pioneer, who expressed himself through martial arts.Many poker players lack that professionalism. It's a competition of old gamblers and college kid slackers and everybody in between. That next step for players becoming true professionals, the step GSP has recently taken in the fight game, the outside-the-box thinking of Greg Jackson, hasn't really been taken on a large scale. The truth is that seeing GSP as well as all of the other things I've picked up through the years from extraordinary people has inspired me to take that step of becoming a real professional.
Here's a list of 10 things I will start implementing to become a better professional:
- Deliberate practice
- Review play daily, weekly, and monthly
- Be accountable
- Coaching
- Consistent schedule with time off to relax
- Optimal sleep (amount and time)
- Exercise
- Specialized Diet including supplements
- Meditation/Vizualization
- Keep great records of monthly results
Live Players Love Their "Pot Odds"
Last night I had a small breakthrough, something that's been on the surface and I've known, but it really hit home.
My standard raise in Alan's game is 10-12xbb. This frequently gets comments like "10 into a 4 pot?!?!", "He must have AA", and other nonsense. But then they all call as they always do wherever I play. It's exactly the reason you can flex your bet sizes vs weak players and play very exploitably: They just aren't going to exploit you well. I frequently build the biggest pots in that game because even though I "must have AA", I'll get 6-8 callers, making it a 60-80 pot on the flop.
Well, last night my pre-flop raise size grew from 10 to 14bbs. The first time I did it, Snoop (who's max raise is usually 7 even with AA) says "WHY would you ever bet that much, no ones going to call!!!" The calling station on my left quickly calls and then something interesting happens, Snoop calls.
Me: Wait. What? Now that doesn't make sense. You said no one is going to call, AND THEN YOU CALL!
Snoop: Yeah, but then I got "pot odds" now.
Four more players proceeded to call this raise that "no one was going to call."
The truth is that live/weak players don't understand pot odds at all. That's easy to realize and I've always known it, but never really thought about exactly what their thought process is regarding pot odds and how to exploit that. Pot odds has two elements: Pot size AND bet size. Using the two, you can get a ratio like 2:1 and with that you can compare it to the odds of your hand improving to the best and see if you are getting the correct immediate price to continue.
The important thing I learned is that they only factor in the first, pot size. "Pot odds" for these players is simply synonymous and interchangeable with "the pot is big."
This works for them because it helps them to justify calling, especially preflop, which is what they love to do: call too much. It's almost as if they tell themselves "Remember, as long as you say pot odds first, you can make the call." It reminds me of Jimbo and his method to bypass hunting regulations:
Jimbo: Just remember kid, always yell "It's coming right for us!" before you start shooting.
This seems consistent among many, many live players. It's like one guy read a book and it spread like rumors spread, the result is always horribly twisted from its original form as each person adds or takes away a little. Or maybe they just watch WSOP reruns, heard it there, heard it at the table, and inferred that the meaning was that the pot is big and they can call. Or may it's just two words that make them feel ok about not folding when they know they should.
Regardless, this a VERY good thing. Immediately, I can think of a couple ways to exploit this:
I need a special name for it as to not get it confused with real pot odds. I'll be thinking about further ways to exploit this such as 3betting preflop, adjusting bet sizes depending on positions of these players, etc during the week.
P.S. Later I raised to 14 again with AA after getting called 6-ways previously and Snoop called me "Donkey Kong" talking to Dave. I don't know who's the teacher and who's the student, but somebody's shoveling bullshit and the other is eating it up. Those guys are completely oblivious to how much they misunderstand poker. It's odd that he will see me get called in 6 spots raising to 14 and yet he'll still not learn from it and say "Hey, he got a lot of money in the pot that way, I can copy that and do the same" but he still only raises to 7 or 8. Oh well, Snoop doesn't play bad, he just runs bad all the time as he says... Ignorance is bliss.
My standard raise in Alan's game is 10-12xbb. This frequently gets comments like "10 into a 4 pot?!?!", "He must have AA", and other nonsense. But then they all call as they always do wherever I play. It's exactly the reason you can flex your bet sizes vs weak players and play very exploitably: They just aren't going to exploit you well. I frequently build the biggest pots in that game because even though I "must have AA", I'll get 6-8 callers, making it a 60-80 pot on the flop.
Well, last night my pre-flop raise size grew from 10 to 14bbs. The first time I did it, Snoop (who's max raise is usually 7 even with AA) says "WHY would you ever bet that much, no ones going to call!!!" The calling station on my left quickly calls and then something interesting happens, Snoop calls.
Me: Wait. What? Now that doesn't make sense. You said no one is going to call, AND THEN YOU CALL!
Snoop: Yeah, but then I got "pot odds" now.
Four more players proceeded to call this raise that "no one was going to call."
The truth is that live/weak players don't understand pot odds at all. That's easy to realize and I've always known it, but never really thought about exactly what their thought process is regarding pot odds and how to exploit that. Pot odds has two elements: Pot size AND bet size. Using the two, you can get a ratio like 2:1 and with that you can compare it to the odds of your hand improving to the best and see if you are getting the correct immediate price to continue.
The important thing I learned is that they only factor in the first, pot size. "Pot odds" for these players is simply synonymous and interchangeable with "the pot is big."
This works for them because it helps them to justify calling, especially preflop, which is what they love to do: call too much. It's almost as if they tell themselves "Remember, as long as you say pot odds first, you can make the call." It reminds me of Jimbo and his method to bypass hunting regulations:
Jimbo: Just remember kid, always yell "It's coming right for us!" before you start shooting.
This seems consistent among many, many live players. It's like one guy read a book and it spread like rumors spread, the result is always horribly twisted from its original form as each person adds or takes away a little. Or maybe they just watch WSOP reruns, heard it there, heard it at the table, and inferred that the meaning was that the pot is big and they can call. Or may it's just two words that make them feel ok about not folding when they know they should.
Regardless, this a VERY good thing. Immediately, I can think of a couple ways to exploit this:
- Continue raising large. If I get one caller, my chances drastically increase for getting two or more, especially if players who like to call for "pot odds" have yet to act. It looks like it can take as few as one caller for this to happen. Then a cascade effect occurs where more and more people call until the logic is "6 people called, now I HAVE to call with my A5o"
- Raise especially large if there is a calling station or two next to my left and "pot odds" players are left to act afterward. If the a station calls, it's almost certainly going to be at least 3-way. If a couple call, it could be 4 or 5-way. I can use this to get ridiculous value on big hands preflop.
I need a special name for it as to not get it confused with real pot odds. I'll be thinking about further ways to exploit this such as 3betting preflop, adjusting bet sizes depending on positions of these players, etc during the week.
P.S. Later I raised to 14 again with AA after getting called 6-ways previously and Snoop called me "Donkey Kong" talking to Dave. I don't know who's the teacher and who's the student, but somebody's shoveling bullshit and the other is eating it up. Those guys are completely oblivious to how much they misunderstand poker. It's odd that he will see me get called in 6 spots raising to 14 and yet he'll still not learn from it and say "Hey, he got a lot of money in the pot that way, I can copy that and do the same" but he still only raises to 7 or 8. Oh well, Snoop doesn't play bad, he just runs bad all the time as he says... Ignorance is bliss.
A-Game Live: July 7 Player Notes
Dave the dealer:
- With a monster vs me, said "I just don't believe you, that bets not very convincing" and just called a 30bb cbet.
- Bet size post-flop is strong indicator of hand strength. Bet small with small hands/draws and big with larger. Check-raising seem effective in both stealing vs loose callers and frustrating him. He said "That's the 3rd time you've check/raised. I'm getting sick up it, just bet if you have a good hand." Now wouldn't that be nice of me.
- He bets frequently post flop, and often small, so I can use a very strong relative position on him to see what everyone else does and make some very good plays. I should use him to check/raise as a steal and to help build pots with big hands. If I have a strong hand that isn't easily drawn out on with a free card, checking to let him bet will ensure another 20-30bbs enters the pot before the raise. Then people will call because of "pot odds." Also, all the calls are weak, and I can pick up some large pots with raises. This will also help balance my check/raising range a bit in this situation so I don't get called too often on a steal or folded to often with a monster. Definitely can use this tendency to my advantage.
- Will call very big bets/raises with draws if the pot is big enough. Strong believer in "pot odds." I should get max value on drawy boards with big hands by betting very big.
- Led 2bbs with a SD on the flop and turn
- Bet size clear indicator of hand strength. If he bets 3bbs, gets raised, and calls, that very often should be a draw.
- Will crying call down when clearly behind and say he's just "running bad". Haven't really seen him make big laydowns. Definitely can get it in with big hands if he has something.
- Seems oblivious to live tells and hand reading in general
- wears shades in Alan's home game...
- Bets 5 or 10bbs with everything from top 2pair to the stone cold nuts regardless of how big the pot is. Will bet all 3 streets. Will get very passive vs a raise however and check down very, very strong hands like flushes, straights, boats OOP.
A-Game Live: July 7 Results
7:30-3:30 - 8hrs
W/L = -53
Expenses = -20
Total = -73
Another disappointing night where I was way up at times and way down at times. I flopped 4 sets and all failed to hold up in NL, missed all my combo draws/nut draws in Omaha in big pots except when I opened AAK4 double suited, flopped top set, and backdoored a flush draw.
Even though 4 sets failed, I did make 2 bad calls with them. Early when it was clear I was up against two flopped flushes, I peeled the flop to draw to a boat which was right, but peeled the Turn too not quite getting the correct price or perhaps breakeven with implied odds. Later I had a boat, bet the River, got reraised, it was called in another spot. I was clearly behind, but called the 50bb raise in a large pot mainly due because just a couple hands prior, the guy who had reraised me was obviously very frustrated at me check/raising him multiple times. I didn't think I had, but trusted his sincere feelings. I thought he could be making a play, but I don't think I could really give him credit for it in hindsight. I should have folded but instead called and lost to two higher boats.
Those are my 2 big mistakes for the night. I made some smaller mistakes by not raising hands like KQs in the blind. I should be raising this, but justified a call due to how much it would be worth if I made a big flush or straight multi-way. I don't think this is bad logic, except that it is not to the nuts, I am OOP, and people are somewhat afraid of my bets. That doesn't mean they ever fold a smaller flush, but they might fold TP or 2 pair because they are deathly afraid of bets when the flush card hits. I should be flatting hands like A4s, but still raising hands like KQs and AJs and not justifying it with how much I'll make with more people in if I hit a big hand. That doesn't happen often, I play much better HU or 3-way than 10-way (far more exp in 6max than FR), and it helps my image to raise more hands. I think part of it is due just to the fear of being called 6-ways and facing just TP on the flop in a 60bb pot, not wanting to deal with having to cbet 30-40bbs, and being lost of the Turn when called. On thing I have to get over live is the feeling of embarrassment of losing. Online you are anonymous and can instantly rebuy. Your results are connected to you more personally, and it is a little embarrassing to lose live as you push your chips away. But that is something I have to get over.
Playing scared is losing play, whether it's because of the amount of money or the embarrassment of losing. I should never be playing scared and this is something I need to work on to play my A-game live.
Aside for a couple big mistakes, likely several very small mistakes, and whiffing nut draws in big pots getting the right price with pot odds/implied, the rest of losses came from some coolers. I flop the nut flush vs a super-calling stating that was up like 800bbs on the night. He called me to the River and would do so any FD, TP, or better. He checked the River, the board paired on the end, and the pot was huge. I almost bet, but it was Omaha, and so I checked it back and he showed the rivered boat and raked in a well over 100 bb pot. By the end of the night, I had folded several big hands like sets, straights, and flushes. I was correct every time as I got to see each showdown and accurately read the playe
rs for what they had. That's good because I was right, and bad because so many hands did not hold up.
One highlight of the night was a big bluff using my image and trusting my instinct. I had the nut flush draw on the Turn and checked from EP. Dave the dealer bet 4bb in a 30bb pot like he did frequently. It was called all the way around the table. I was pretty sure everyone was weak, my image was that a big check/raise would look very strong, and there was a possibly straight on the board. So I check/raised to 40. It folded to Ron to took forever. Almost folded once, then decided to call. That's a pretty big bet for him to call and I did not like it, but he did take forever so I thought he may have had two pair. Effective stacks were about 250bbs to start the hand. The right brought a K, and overcard, and a card I didn't think would help him. I started to check and give up, but then realized the only way I can win is to bet, the pot is large so if I bet 2/3 pot, I only need it to actually work 40% or better to profit, and he almost folded on the Turn already. I would also be great advertisement if it worked, so I bet 60bbs into about a 100bb pot, expecting that to be enough as 40 to standard for huge bets in their eyes, regardless of the size of the pot. He insta-folded a weaker flush draw and I table it. I do think it was good to show as people began to say things like "he's buyin' it again" and so on, although it probably cost me 50bbs a few hands later when I should have folded that boat, but called partly because of how I thought that hand my have affected my image.
The last cooler came late into the night in a game of Crazy Pineapple. I had AK3ss in the hole and raised PF 6-way. Got called in 4 spots. The flop was AK3, leaving me behind to only the case AA, KK, and 33, and way ahead of all Aces. I got called in one spot. A tell I may have on Dave, who talks to much during play, is that he said "30? I just don't believe you" and called with a monster.
I bet the 9 Turn and he called again. I thought I could be up against a set, but with only 3 combos of sets, 4 combos of AK and A3, 6 combos of A9, and numerous combos of other Aces like AQ he will have some of the time, I thought there was no way valuebetting could be wrong. The River was a J and I pushed. He called and flipped over KK, which he had slowplayed preflop - river. I lost about 120bbs in that pot.
So at the end of the night, super calling station (who always bets 5 or 10 max on his huge hands all 3 streets in 60+bb pots) cashes out for 800bbs, Dave the dealer cashes out for probably 1000bbs, Marshall cashes out for about 700bbs, and I cash out down 200bbs. I'm 0-3 now, what the hell is going on?
W/L = -53
Expenses = -20
Total = -73
Another disappointing night where I was way up at times and way down at times. I flopped 4 sets and all failed to hold up in NL, missed all my combo draws/nut draws in Omaha in big pots except when I opened AAK4 double suited, flopped top set, and backdoored a flush draw.
Even though 4 sets failed, I did make 2 bad calls with them. Early when it was clear I was up against two flopped flushes, I peeled the flop to draw to a boat which was right, but peeled the Turn too not quite getting the correct price or perhaps breakeven with implied odds. Later I had a boat, bet the River, got reraised, it was called in another spot. I was clearly behind, but called the 50bb raise in a large pot mainly due because just a couple hands prior, the guy who had reraised me was obviously very frustrated at me check/raising him multiple times. I didn't think I had, but trusted his sincere feelings. I thought he could be making a play, but I don't think I could really give him credit for it in hindsight. I should have folded but instead called and lost to two higher boats.
Those are my 2 big mistakes for the night. I made some smaller mistakes by not raising hands like KQs in the blind. I should be raising this, but justified a call due to how much it would be worth if I made a big flush or straight multi-way. I don't think this is bad logic, except that it is not to the nuts, I am OOP, and people are somewhat afraid of my bets. That doesn't mean they ever fold a smaller flush, but they might fold TP or 2 pair because they are deathly afraid of bets when the flush card hits. I should be flatting hands like A4s, but still raising hands like KQs and AJs and not justifying it with how much I'll make with more people in if I hit a big hand. That doesn't happen often, I play much better HU or 3-way than 10-way (far more exp in 6max than FR), and it helps my image to raise more hands. I think part of it is due just to the fear of being called 6-ways and facing just TP on the flop in a 60bb pot, not wanting to deal with having to cbet 30-40bbs, and being lost of the Turn when called. On thing I have to get over live is the feeling of embarrassment of losing. Online you are anonymous and can instantly rebuy. Your results are connected to you more personally, and it is a little embarrassing to lose live as you push your chips away. But that is something I have to get over.
Playing scared is losing play, whether it's because of the amount of money or the embarrassment of losing. I should never be playing scared and this is something I need to work on to play my A-game live.
Aside for a couple big mistakes, likely several very small mistakes, and whiffing nut draws in big pots getting the right price with pot odds/implied, the rest of losses came from some coolers. I flop the nut flush vs a super-calling stating that was up like 800bbs on the night. He called me to the River and would do so any FD, TP, or better. He checked the River, the board paired on the end, and the pot was huge. I almost bet, but it was Omaha, and so I checked it back and he showed the rivered boat and raked in a well over 100 bb pot. By the end of the night, I had folded several big hands like sets, straights, and flushes. I was correct every time as I got to see each showdown and accurately read the playe
rs for what they had. That's good because I was right, and bad because so many hands did not hold up.One highlight of the night was a big bluff using my image and trusting my instinct. I had the nut flush draw on the Turn and checked from EP. Dave the dealer bet 4bb in a 30bb pot like he did frequently. It was called all the way around the table. I was pretty sure everyone was weak, my image was that a big check/raise would look very strong, and there was a possibly straight on the board. So I check/raised to 40. It folded to Ron to took forever. Almost folded once, then decided to call. That's a pretty big bet for him to call and I did not like it, but he did take forever so I thought he may have had two pair. Effective stacks were about 250bbs to start the hand. The right brought a K, and overcard, and a card I didn't think would help him. I started to check and give up, but then realized the only way I can win is to bet, the pot is large so if I bet 2/3 pot, I only need it to actually work 40% or better to profit, and he almost folded on the Turn already. I would also be great advertisement if it worked, so I bet 60bbs into about a 100bb pot, expecting that to be enough as 40 to standard for huge bets in their eyes, regardless of the size of the pot. He insta-folded a weaker flush draw and I table it. I do think it was good to show as people began to say things like "he's buyin' it again" and so on, although it probably cost me 50bbs a few hands later when I should have folded that boat, but called partly because of how I thought that hand my have affected my image.
The last cooler came late into the night in a game of Crazy Pineapple. I had AK3ss in the hole and raised PF 6-way. Got called in 4 spots. The flop was AK3, leaving me behind to only the case AA, KK, and 33, and way ahead of all Aces. I got called in one spot. A tell I may have on Dave, who talks to much during play, is that he said "30? I just don't believe you" and called with a monster.
I bet the 9 Turn and he called again. I thought I could be up against a set, but with only 3 combos of sets, 4 combos of AK and A3, 6 combos of A9, and numerous combos of other Aces like AQ he will have some of the time, I thought there was no way valuebetting could be wrong. The River was a J and I pushed. He called and flipped over KK, which he had slowplayed preflop - river. I lost about 120bbs in that pot.
So at the end of the night, super calling station (who always bets 5 or 10 max on his huge hands all 3 streets in 60+bb pots) cashes out for 800bbs, Dave the dealer cashes out for probably 1000bbs, Marshall cashes out for about 700bbs, and I cash out down 200bbs. I'm 0-3 now, what the hell is going on?
A-Game Live: Player Notes July 1
Dave
- played better with a large stack than he normally does a small one
- mentioned often that he'll call a flop bet and fold on the Turn if he doesn't hit, so 2nd barrelling him is a good way to exploit.
- his preflop raise sizes are highly indicatative of his hand strength, will follow up premium pairs with big flop cbets so that is pretty easily exploitable
- frequently tried to bluff in bad spots/bad cards, even vs the biggest calling station, did so with medium sized amounts and across multiple streets
- made several clearly bad calls on the River with TP/2 Pair, justified as just "running bad", definitely valuetown with strong hands when he's likely to have TP
- Preflop raise means a premium hand, size is very indicative of strength
- will sometimes cbet, although usually not nearly as big as with a real hand
- cbet extra small with top set on a dd flop to not lose action
- donk bet was just a bluff and is probably usually a very weak hand, he checked Turn, check/folded River to a small bet, can exploit donk bet with a float or raise
In these loose, live games, I've been playing my draws really passively. I think that is generally the right strategy because a player typically has little fold equity and will often get paid off when he hits. Maybe this is just me not hitting draws and it affecting my game, but I'm considering playing FD's in particular more aggressively. A common situation is that either someone will raise to 3 or 4bbs preflop and 8-9 players will call, or everyone will limp. Then someone bets somewhere in the neighborhood of 10bbs on the flop, which will get called by several players.
Previously I've just called in these situations. But there may be some benefits to making a big raise here and either taking down the dead money or getting called and having my draw essentially subsidized by the very large pot. It's pretty common to see 40-60bbs in the pot so a shove really needs little FE to be profitable, and when called loses only a small amount in EV and even two pair.
This might be a play to make sometimes in the right situations because:
Previously I've just called in these situations. But there may be some benefits to making a big raise here and either taking down the dead money or getting called and having my draw essentially subsidized by the very large pot. It's pretty common to see 40-60bbs in the pot so a shove really needs little FE to be profitable, and when called loses only a small amount in EV and even two pair.
This might be a play to make sometimes in the right situations because:
- With a tight image, I might have decent FE (or not in this game!)
- It will help me to get paid off on good hands, good advertisement (isn't that important in this game, though)
- I might be able to get larger FD's to fold (it is FR where people play any two)
