Seasonal Poker Wish
I think of the holiday season as a time of giving. Although it seems I’m never able to find the perfect presents for everyone, attempting to do so is the primary focus of my attention, far ahead of wondering what I’ll receive. Indeed, it has been quite a long time since I wanted anything specific for myself. So this year, the fact that I have a wish for myself is a departure, even if it’s not for something tangible.
What I’m hoping I can give myself is the self-discipline to improve my patience when playing poker. This would address what has been a too frequent leak in my game for some months now. It has been an intermittent problem, not a constant one. I’ll be okay for a day or two, sometimes a week, but then I’ll lapse into periods where it feels like I become impatient in every tournament I play.
When that happens – even when I realize the feeling is coming over me – I start doing things like over-playing marginal holdings, pressing small edges too hard, and bluffing bigger than I should. Such plays can actually work to my advantage; as long as I win the hands, I do build my stack more rapidly. However, as soon as I lose one or two, I’m crippled or busted.
The most frustrating part of this is probably that quite often, I make these plays even though I know they’re not optimal. Somehow, I can’t – or don’t – stop myself. When I’m playing better, I usually do. So, I know I have it in me to exercise better self-discipline. It’s not a matter of learning a new skill, but rather of returning one to its former level of consistency. Easier said than done, but that’s my intent, my intent and my wish this holiday season.
Tags: Richard
