How I'm running

I usually don't post single session results because I don't put a whole lot of stock in them. I am a "big picture" guy because even the biggest donk in the world can make a sick score in the short term. That being said, I must admit for the last few days I've been running horribly. I can honestly admit to making several terrible mistakes that cost me some money, but I am 100% confident that I lost twice as much on bad beats and terrible situations. I don't like to bemoan bad beats because they are part of the game, but at some point they do begin to affect my play. I woudn't call it "tilt", I would call it playing sub-optimally. I often find that all it takes to jump-start me back into my game is winning one big pot or succeeding on a big bluff. Today I had AA hold up vs. KK in a small pot, but for some reason that was all it took. I went from -$300 to almost even. I made a costly semi-bluff against a guy who held top two. I missed my straight draw, but I stand by the play 100% because if he has anything less than top two I'm fully confident I win the pot. (I'll post this HH when I find it in PT) I also had 8 live outs so I can't complain about where I'm at right now. I know this seems fairly random, but I just wanted to share with you alittle of my opinions on the psychology of the game. I know that when I'm winning I play better, and when I'm losing it takes winning a pot to snap me out of this passive, weak/tight player that I become.

I am also playing 6 tables so I have less of a desire to make cute plays because I have 5 other tables that demand my attention. I can't deviate from "ABC poker" due to lack of time. I think this is a very good thing. I also switched the music from country to some Coldplay which always seems to mellow me out. I think my mental state is directly reflected in my play, which is directly reflected in my profits. There is a saying about golf attire: Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. For that reason I always have on khakis and a polo shirt when I play golf seriously, because I feel like I've won half the battle. The same is true for poker. When I sit down and give every hand my full attention and I have a clear head, I'm unstoppable.

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