Consistency: Myth or Reality

#1 6th March 2009, 4:51 PM

This is a very general question but what I want to know most is this...

Is it humanly possible to be consistent in the game of No Limit Hold Em poker??
I'm talking about playing every tournament to be at the Final Table.
Sitting at a ring table with no fear of making this bad move or that bad move.
Playing solid poker with solid hands, no tricks, blind stealing or throwing caution to the wind bluffs?

Solid poker across the board...is it possible?

#2 6th March 2009, 6:06 PM

In a word, nope.

Not as you describe anyway. Consistency generally means getting ITM about 20% of the time in MTT, that means acceptingthe fact that in the other 80% you'll be hitting the rail. This is why BRM is so important.

#3 6th March 2009, 6:08 PM

you can easily play consistent in a ring game, just make the same play in the same situation every single time. it doesn't have to be the right move to be consistent.

#4 6th March 2009, 6:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spranger

it doesn't have to be the right move to be consistent.

LOL

#5 6th March 2009, 6:12 PM

In ring games its easier to be closer to "consistent" because you really do get to pick your spots more closely. Tourneys are always changing because of blinds and tournament odds. This obviously accounts for people playing different styles at different stages.

There isnt really anything that can be consistent in poker. You are playing against dynamic opponents. Each hand is its own case, which is put in the framework of acquired knowledge based on other cases you have solved. If every case was the same (consistent) then there would be no differentiation between donks and sharks.

#6 6th March 2009, 6:19 PM

Almost No.

Maybe one person out of a million can play consistently good, but even that doesn't make you immunce from variance. You can play consistently, but even then, it's still almost impossible to bring your best game every time. Think about what they say about Chip Reese. Most professionals agree that he was one of the only people in the world who could consistently bring his best game to the table.

It's just not a realistic goal for most people.

KC

#7 6th March 2009, 6:24 PM

I am working under the delusion I have a tenuous grip oh what the game is about. I have enough 1st place tourney wins, and cash outs to justify my delusion. I believe that most of the time I bring a good game to the table, but even so, the table doesn't bring a game capable of being good in to me.

So I look at it this way, if, over time, I am profitable, then I will consider that to be consistent.

If your time frame is too short, it is easy to become discouraged and believe consistency is a pipe dream.

#8 6th March 2009, 6:25 PM

another word to answer your question. variance. i'm still learning about this, especially recently. i played good poker, and for a few days, i caught great cards and ran up my BR. the next 2 or 3 days though, i kept running into monster hands that they got lucky to hit. i was still playing good poker for the most part, just getting unlucky. i don't think it's possible to consistently WIN at poker, but if you PLAY consistently, then you should end up doing fine.

#9 6th March 2009, 6:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzzaacckk

In ring games its easier to be closer to "consistent" because you really do get to pick your spots more closely. Tourneys are always changing because of blinds and tournament odds. This obviously accounts for people playing different styles at different stages.

There isnt really anything that can be consistent in poker. You are playing against dynamic opponents. Each hand is its own case, which is put in the framework of acquired knowledge based on other cases you have solved. If every case was the same (consistent) then there would be no differentiation between donks and sharks.

You make many great points here. As far as style of play goes that is perhaps one way to play a consistent game....or is it? How do you classify yourself in one group or another and then play that role consistently?

#10 6th March 2009, 6:30 PM

I consistently just miss the money and consistently am the 'bring-in' in stud & razz

#11 6th March 2009, 6:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj11

If your time frame is too short, it is easy to become discouraged and believe consistency is a pipe dream.

Could not have said it better myself. It really is all about patience and discipline. Those 2 combined strictly could be very hard to beat.

#12 6th March 2009, 9:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardyian

I consistently just miss the money and consistently am the 'bring-in' in stud & razz

I thought I was the only member of that elusive hat trick.

#13 6th March 2009, 9:47 PM

In a General sense consistency is reality but i think it depends on various situations. Like what is the limit you are playing, if its a freeroll more of a myth, but if you are playing a limit worth something its rather achievable. Just look at all the consistant money makers out there.

#14 6th March 2009, 10:18 PM

Consistency is reality. The more you play the more consistent you become. Its all inner control. Some people can do it everyday of their lives some only in short bursts requiring rest from the game to replenish their stamina. The truth is everyone can do it if they want to badly enough.

#15 7th March 2009, 4:28 AM

I happen to think that it is possible to play this way, but it would take the "feel of the moment" aspect of the game out of play. You would have a hard time winning consistantly w/o taking calculated chances such as bluffing

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