Introduction & request for tips

Hey Cardplayers. I'm a Donkey that's trying to change his evil, evil ways.

I'm on my lunch break, so i've got to be a bit brief.

I've been playing poker for about 5 years now, 2 of which were just home games. I typically do pretty well at Cash games, but need to improve my tournament games. My bankroll on cash is pretty steady. I could use improvement, but that's not what I want to focus on right now.

Personally, I feel that my main 2 problems are being very inconsistent and not observing other players enough. I notice the typical things, such as how often they are involved in a hand and how often they'll fold if squeezed, but I have to constantly remind myself to analyze their play after seeing their cards on a showdown and their betting patterns. As far as inconsistent play, I think I need to work on having a set play style. I know I shouldn't be rigid and have every play written down for every situation, but I often do very dumb things...like pushing with AK when I have 20bb and someone re-raises my 3xbb bet pre-flop.

It seems that every time I decide to start getting a little more serious about my play and reading some advice and strategy, I do very well, but then start slipping.

I used to play on pokerstars, but switched to full tilt a few years ago because, at the time, I enjoyed the super turbos. I don't play those any more, and generally stick t0 the 3.50 90-person KO SnGs now.

My fulltilt name is Decade9, so you can take a look at my sharkscope and see the negative ROI.

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to rail a few of my tourneys and analyze my play a abit. I feel like I have the potential to be a profitable player in tourneys, but I think it's time I asked for some outside help.

I know EVERYONE thinks they have the potential to be a profitable player, or else they wouldn't be playing poker. I play live cash and tournament games at a Sports & Poker bar here in town and do well enough...when I'm actually playing to win. I've forced myself to stop going down there when I'm just bored, and now only play when i'm playing to win.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

check your inbox...

Thanks Wizz. I actually JUST started saving my HH yesterday. started using the trial of Pokertracker, too. So, it'll take me a little bit to get a history going.

I refuse to tip for such shoddy service.

But in all seriousness, if you're getting bored, you might want to add some more tables, or switch up the game you're playing. Or spend more time observing your opponents, making notes, thinking about hands you're in, ect. You can find ways to entertain your brain at even one table. Boredom usually doesn't lead to solid poker.

I typically play 4 tournaments at once. I definitely do not want to increase that number right now. Not trying to be stubborn, but that is just the number I'm comfortable with at the moment. It seems to be a good balance between keeping myself busy, and having enough time to get creative on a couple plays.

As of last night, I'm going to go back to One tournament at a time and really try to focus on watching people's plays.

I do agree with the boredom point, though. "6 8 os UTG for only 50chips? sure, i'll play. I'm bored and it's only a $3 tournament" has proven to be a very unprofitable mindset.

you should treat every game seriously and treat is as blinds u r collecting instead of monetary value. if u r to see it small, then you will juz kp flip coin or gamble since it's alway a few dollar. if tis cant helps to improve ur game since ur mindset is unprofitable, maybe u can jump to higher stakes n play. i have fren that do not do well in micro as he sees the money too little. but doing alrite in low-mid stakes game..

Just had to login in real quick and give an update. Been reading quite a bit on here and on another poker website. Gave me a little confidence that I generally know the correct move to make, I just need to actually do it.

Deposited $50 online. Accidentally joined 2 super turbos right off the bat, So i went down $8, but now i'm back up to $52, so doing alright there.

Anyways, played some live games at a bar here in town on Friday night and tonight.

Friday was a $40 buy-in, 2,500 starting with blinds increasing every 20 minutes. 50 players, I chopped 1st, 2nd and 3rd with 2 other players for $420 each.

Today was a bit crazy. Saturday and Sundays here are freerolls.

500 chips to start, you can do a chip-up for $10 before the game starts and get an extra 500 chips. Re-buys are $20 for 750 chips, and a one-time addon for $20, 2,500 chips.

Just chopped this one 3 ways about 3 hours ago for $300 each.

Yesterday, I got some good cards in the first 10 minutes and ended up doubling up, then spent the rest of the tournament playing small ball poker and making a buck here and there.

Tonight, my cards weren't as good, but I made 3 awesome laydowns, 1 miracle call and a dead-on read that I even surprised myself with.

Tonight, I felt that I played one of the best games ever. Didn't feel like I made any mistakes.

Last night, there was only one mistake I made that I still regret. Ran into pocket Aces, but the guy played them pretty straight-forward, and I was able to get away. Had called an all-in pre-flop with QK suited. My read on the all-in was good, he had 7/8 offsuite and had been feeling the pressure of blinds increasing to 800/1600. I had a very healthy stack, but I was also UTG+2 with a full table and felt afterwards that a call was not the best move. Obviously, it somewhat worked out there. Dodged the big stack on the button that had aces.

...Sooooo pissed.

Just bubbled on the sunday tourney. would have been 3 cashes in a row.

Big stack is playing his first tourney, and he's a calling station.

I flop two pair in my BB after checking the option, A/2 off suit. Flop is A 2 8. I check, he goes all in (About 35k into a 3,200pot). Next guy almost calls but folds, button folds and I end up calling.

Guy says "Good call" and shows KQ off suit.

Runner runner K K.

I'm unhappy.

i am new here also with bad luck as well. i joined here to improve my skills as well. my sharkscope isnt to bad. i usually lose my money at the ring game tables instead of sit n gos. maybe we will get some good info on this site from members