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What's Your Edge

qqch13's Poker Blog

January 01, 2009

Becoming a better player in 2009 Part One

I found that throughout the regular grind, there are times when, for no particular reason, I decide to reflect on my progress, the what has, what could and what should of happened. These thoughts influence my play, my hopes and my making as a player. Recently I’ve been reflecting on one recurring aspect which is consistency. There are different types of consistency, and all are very influential to ones winrate and winnings. I would love to constantly be able to put in volume while constantly play well. It’s something which is obvious yet so hard to attain for myself. I would guess everyone has a unique definition when defining volume and good play; I’d however think everyone would want to attain greater consistency in both.

As my thoughts on the subject haphazardly came to mind, this is a reflection on what I feel affects my consistency.

Concentration. This is something I know nothing about. I hear people say it can be trained, improved, worked on. I don’t know. Maybe it’s like everything else wherein by working at it you can get better. Probably is. I don’t always see it like this. At this moment, right now, I could force myself to be very concentrated if I’d like. I don’t. I definitely could and I’d be as concentrated as I could be. If I want to be concentrated right now I am. Basically the level at which I am concentrated flutters with how I feel, what I want. Maybe overall if I’d be concentrated more often, I’d be better at remaining focused. In the next year, I don’t want to be better at concentrating; I just want to be focused more often.

Tilt. I don’t know how everyone defines tilt. I say it’s when I’m not playing my best or not making the best decision. Sometimes the best decision is not to play at all. When I don’t want to be focused I should decide not to play. I don’t know if you can tilt when you are not playing. For example, I could find out if playing 6 tables is better then 8. I could find out the answer to lots of questions about correct ranges in multiple situations and be a better player overall. I don’t. If I did I’d be better when I play. This year I want to tilt less off the table.

Variance. People complain, I complain, but almost everyone has a love hate relationship deep inside. It’s my utmost friend when I am not constantly playing well. It’s my refuge when I play bad. It’s my refuge when I tilt. It’s my excuse to explain why I play bad and why I tilt. It’s my explanation to my results when I don’t like what I see. The forums are littered with people saying: “Oh, that’s just variance”. Why doesn’t anyone man up and say what needs to be said when you play bad. You SUCK! This year I want to be honest with myself. That’s the best way to improve!

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