Several Questions

Hi,

Before I bring out my questions, I would like to first thank you for all the help you’ve extended. You can’t imagine perhaps how grateful I am for all the information, advices, suggestions, tips, etc. you’ve shared to me. Because of you, I’m now on my way to fulfilling my dream since I was 10 years old – make money and live comfortably without doing things I don’t like.

Soon, because of your help, I’ll be an instructor making about $2500-$3000 a month.

Thanks a lot!

Well, for my questions, hope you can find some time to answer them.

1. In a 10 handed 1/2 NL holdem game, I have AK UTG and seated one seat from the player first to act. To make the long story short, I opened to $7 and then a middle position player called. Eventually, BB re-raised to $24. I called, same thing with the middle position player. Then flop came K-7-4 rainbow. BB checked, I and the middle position player also did. The turn then was a Q making a board of K-7-4-Q. BB checked and I bet $24. Middle position player folded. Then BB called. River was an 8 for a board of K-7-4-Q-8. BB checked and I bet $30. As a result, BB re-raised all-in for my remaining $62 and I called.

Later on I showed him AK and he showed me QQ and that’s the end for me. It looked like I had a beat. But I guess it was more on wrong moves and decisions similarly like calling with AK, checking the flop, and betting $30 after he checked. What do you think?

2. I have many bad run of cards experience. At most, I seemed like a bystander watching unlikely things as they take place. At some point, I also appeared like a machine that just plays hand after hand in a predetermined way just waiting for the beats to happen. Eventually, I’ve learned to take things with calmness and good composure. I don’t know if this is a good thing or just something that prevents me from getting off of that bad streak quickly.
3. By playing poker, I know I’ll win money. But still, every time I lose I worry about my monthly earnings, my bankroll, and every thing about money. I know even pros lose sometimes, but still I’m bothered and I can’t exactly explain why.
4. It’s unexplainable but I usually find myself thinking other players have stronger holdings then they actually do. Thus, because of this, I often lose some value on my winning hands cause I submit to checking the river instead of betting or forcing out hands. Any advice for me?

Thanks again.

Martin

Martin,

1. You let your opponent outdraw you. You needed to bet the flop at least. If you bet the flop properly, say at least ¾ of the pot or more and they call, then you could say you got unlucky. Otherwise, you need to say you let them get there.
2. You need to focus on making good decision and playing your hands properly. You also need to evaluate your game and see if there is anything that you need to do to improve your game or stop some bad habits. If you have a friend or poker mentor that you can talk to about your game, this helps immensely.
3. Many pros will say that in order to play poker for a living, you have to have a disregard for money. Is poker your only source of income? If so, then I can understand why you are concerned as you are trying to earn a living. If it is not, then you need to learn to not stress yourself over losses. Swings happen in poker and are a normal part of the game. Also, are you playing at a limit that puts added stress on you? If so, drop down in levels so that the swings aren’t as bothersome.
4. You need to work on putting players on hands and paying attention to their betting patterns. Players that tend to give their opponents too much credit are really just guessing or looking at the worst case scenario and not going by past information presented.

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Tags: 1/2 NL holdem, bankroll, bet, betting, betting patterns, call, calling, checking, flop, poker, value, winning hands