ReptillianAgenda
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Hi Vanessa
Overcoming obstacles in life and in the poker room, has been the story of your life.
Could you comment on dealing with constant disapproval from the feeble minded, and how you managed to keep yourself pure and true to self?
Overcoming obstacles in life and in the poker room, has been the story of your life.
Could you comment on dealing with constant disapproval from the feeble minded, and how you managed to keep yourself pure and true to self?
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Hi Debi, I had lots of fun that dinner. Thanks for the congrats!
As far as preparations to play tournaments, I really think it's a decision that I make when I want to be focused and prepared and take a tournament series very seriously. Last wsop and this PCA were great examples - I made sure to always get at least 8 hours of sleep before a tournament and also worked out or did sports whenever I could. I didn't ever drink the night before I played a tournament (unless it was a 1k bingofest
). I also spent a lot of my non-playing time thinking through hands that I had played and talking through them with other players.Leading up to this PCA, I had a couple months where I was playing very little poker, so I was constantly thinking about where I can improve in my game... Whenever I thought of something new, I would get up and write it down in a note on my phone. Then on the plane on the way to the tournament, I actually read through all the notes I had taken to refresh my memory.
Putting in a lot of time away from the tables and also making sure to be healthy while in "poker mode," meaning sleeping enough and not drinking too much has really helped me played incredibly focused poker and I can't speak enough about the importance of all of these off-table things we can do to prepare.
JohnBoyWWFC
Grindddddd
Silver Level
This is a cool idea. Do you have any other tips for little ways to improve your game apart from just reviewing hands, watching videos and the like?
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
I had spent the year after college doing research in Madrid and playing a LOT of online and live poker. I built up my bankroll and knew I could be successful at the game, especially as a cash game player. When I came back the following year, I was working a job for 70 hours a week at a consulting firm because it was the next thing on the list of things you were "supposed to do" to become successful. Finally I just gave in to poker, since I realized I could make more money playing 15 hours every week and spend the newly found free time having fun and also volunteering and a non-profit organization. So that's what I did for a year and half before I went to law school. I also got a backer and decided to give tournaments a go for the fun of it, not knowing if I would be successful at those. It actually didn't go all that well in that year, as I bricked every single big-buy-in WPT or EPT that I entered, but I had a lot of fun doing it.
I was actually extremely lucky - everyone close to me has always been nothing but supportive of everything I've done. I thank my lucky stars for that every single day.
V
Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Maybe you could ask vanessa how she developed her calm, appearing(most of the time) demeanor at the table. I havent really seen her act tilty much, at least on TV.
Buddhism classes, lots of time spent training with monks in Thailand.
V
Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Analyze your play. Take notes when you're not sure about a hand. Ask your friends about it. Post on online forums if you find some that aren't just filled with trolls
Constantly think about what you could do differently, and BE CREATIVE with it! For the really big games, study your opposition - if you're playing high enough stakes, there should be videos or other resources featuring your opponents, so use what is available to you!
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
I'm not sure that much really directly helped my poker game, but the experience of working so hard in law school and having legal jobs over the summer definitely gave me a new appreciation for playing a game for a living and being my own boss
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Anyway, onto a question
I'm mostly just playing the player and the table dynamics. You'd be surprised, but there are definitely tables that can make me tighten up and play really solid poker
It all just depends how I think players are going to react. Often times I will continue to play very aggressively and a lot of players will actually tighten up, waiting to trap me... which lets me play a lot of hands still.In that hand you referenced, I just really felt like Kevin would 5-bet almost his whole 3-betting range, so I thought by putting in the last bet, he would have to fold most of his junk. Guess I was wrong
youregoodmate
Cardschat Elite
Silver Level
Hey Vanessa,
I saw you pick apart Ben Lamb in the ME this year. When you find yourself at a table with aggressive pros, what goes through your mind? Are you trying to avoid them or using their aggression against them? Who would you say is the best player you have played against?
I saw you pick apart Ben Lamb in the ME this year. When you find yourself at a table with aggressive pros, what goes through your mind? Are you trying to avoid them or using their aggression against them? Who would you say is the best player you have played against?
dj11
Legend
Silver Level
Regarding naysayers;
Most of my immediate family would not be supportive, and even my big (for me) wins don't seem to do much in convincing them. Since you know players who may have had a tuff time getting their family to get supportive, is their anything you can suggest?
BTW, my big win will pay for at least 1 cataract to get fixed, maybe both...
Most of my immediate family would not be supportive, and even my big (for me) wins don't seem to do much in convincing them. Since you know players who may have had a tuff time getting their family to get supportive, is their anything you can suggest?
BTW, my big win will pay for at least 1 cataract to get fixed, maybe both...
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
It's all of the things you said - often times there's a good spot for it, like I'm deep in position with someone who I can tell is afraid to tangle with me - so I'll just 3bet to isolate and play position with someone who I think I'm going to win the pot from very often on future streets. Often it's a very loose opener raises and gets two callers - well that's a great spot for a squeeze play, no matter what your image is. Usually the most important factors would be stack sizes, and the tendencies of the particular players who've already come in the pot.
domeburglar
Visionary
Silver Level
This is awesome! I hope one day i can play well enough to have financial freedom to volunteer more and help others!
What casino and where is your favorite place to play??
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Definitely! I think it's important to be tighter in the beginning levels anyway, since a lot of the amateurs don't understand that it's ok to play tighter without antes, and will play against you as if you have the same range (and will also play ranges that are too loose themselves). Getting solid reads on your opponents before getting creative with them is another great reason to stay more ABC early on.
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Preparing for the final table - Jesse and I talked through a lot of poker theory, talked about hands he had played and questions he had, we played some simulation final tables and lots of simulation short handed tables, and we watched videos of other major final tables like the PCA final tables, things like that.
Women still experience a barrier in that it's still pretty uncomfortable for a lot of women to come play live poker. Plain and simple, men don't really go out of their way to be more respectful when there are women playing... if they did I think that would go a long way. Not hitting on women at the table would help a lot too!
MTT Dream Team - I don't know, it's tough... really depends on the field as some people are better at high rollers and crushing tough opposition, and some are better at picking apart amateurs. I think the top 20 of the GPI is usually a pretty good dream team though.
Last book I read was called "Heft" by Liz Moore.
A2345Razz
Legend
Silver Level
Hi Vanessa,
Its such a privilege for the community here to be able to ask a truly world class player such as yourself questions in such an open format; allow me to heap a little more thanks/praise onto the already high amount collecting within the thread....
1) You seem to have shifted earlier in your career from a predominantly cash pro to an MTTer/live MTTer with great aplomb.....your unique talents seem perhaps better suited for crushing large buy in MTTs than sitting around bumb hunting and grinding fractions of BB's against other NLH pros...can you discuss the concept of value with regards to the two dominant forms of poker right now....those being MTTs and 6 max NLH ring games....with attention to where newcomers or beginning players might be best served devoting their energies assuming they are playing to be profitable eventually.
Also, how much of many leading players decision to play the circuit has to do with lifestyle versus EV?
note: im aware you are working hard on your mixed game skills as well...
2) As a sometime aspiring mixed games player I find it quite frustrating that right now it is impossible for me to hone Badugi variant and many limit draw game variants skills given the present situation in the US. I know for folks out west live play can/is an option, but the only regular mix remotely close to me currently is a 40-80 HORSE outside of Chicago that maybe runs 2x a week and offers no draw games per Illinois gaming rules/.
Do you have any advice, books, training videos that stand out as being especially indispensable to someone such as myself trying to not lose too much ground in the mean time....
Do you think it is wise of me to even still think of myself as someone who will play mixed games at some point??
3) I took an Lsat cold at my father's behest about 9.5 yrs back and busted a 171. This wasn't that surprising because I aced the verbal portion of the SAT as a 15/16 yr old and had always excelled at standardized testing. Im 30 years old and retraining/working part time right now bc the recession hit my livelihood especially hard, but several important people in my life nag me about possibly attending Law School. Im not crazy about the idea, but on top of the Lsat score I have a very strong connection to Penn and probably could get admitted there.
What are the top 4 things to consider for someone like me who is fortunate enough to have a fairly clear path to a top 15 Law School?
To be clear, at present, I have no desire to attend....I just think you might have an especially unique insight on this topic.
Its such a privilege for the community here to be able to ask a truly world class player such as yourself questions in such an open format; allow me to heap a little more thanks/praise onto the already high amount collecting within the thread....
1) You seem to have shifted earlier in your career from a predominantly cash pro to an MTTer/live MTTer with great aplomb.....your unique talents seem perhaps better suited for crushing large buy in MTTs than sitting around bumb hunting and grinding fractions of BB's against other NLH pros...can you discuss the concept of value with regards to the two dominant forms of poker right now....those being MTTs and 6 max NLH ring games....with attention to where newcomers or beginning players might be best served devoting their energies assuming they are playing to be profitable eventually.
Also, how much of many leading players decision to play the circuit has to do with lifestyle versus EV?
note: im aware you are working hard on your mixed game skills as well...
2) As a sometime aspiring mixed games player I find it quite frustrating that right now it is impossible for me to hone Badugi variant and many limit draw game variants skills given the present situation in the US. I know for folks out west live play can/is an option, but the only regular mix remotely close to me currently is a 40-80 HORSE outside of Chicago that maybe runs 2x a week and offers no draw games per Illinois gaming rules/.
Do you have any advice, books, training videos that stand out as being especially indispensable to someone such as myself trying to not lose too much ground in the mean time....
Do you think it is wise of me to even still think of myself as someone who will play mixed games at some point??
3) I took an Lsat cold at my father's behest about 9.5 yrs back and busted a 171. This wasn't that surprising because I aced the verbal portion of the SAT as a 15/16 yr old and had always excelled at standardized testing. Im 30 years old and retraining/working part time right now bc the recession hit my livelihood especially hard, but several important people in my life nag me about possibly attending Law School. Im not crazy about the idea, but on top of the Lsat score I have a very strong connection to Penn and probably could get admitted there.
What are the top 4 things to consider for someone like me who is fortunate enough to have a fairly clear path to a top 15 Law School?
To be clear, at present, I have no desire to attend....I just think you might have an especially unique insight on this topic.
V
Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
One big recommendation for Jesse was to pressure on people using ICM - meaning when there was a big payjump and much shorter stacks, to be much more creative and persistent in bluffing.
Build & Bust - well I don't know that I ever really had a name for it, but sure. I play very aggressively and do well when I have the chip lead, so I play to usually have the chip lead or be out of the tournament. I'd rather win the tourney or have many days to myself than grind out 2.5 days for a mincash
when I came up in MTTs, I played everything I wanted to but I was backed. In cash, I was very careful with my bankroll and always had like100 buyins or more. I actually wish I'd taken more shots at higher stakes and think there was a big opportunity cost to my approach.
As far as when to stop playing, for me it's just if the game isn't great anymore I'll quit. I'll also quit good games if I'm bored. I play poker to have fun and make money and if I'm not doing both of those things by being there, then I leave. I don't think I play that well if I'm not having fun, so it's sort of pointless to be there during those times.
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
Best advice my mom ever gave was to do what I love and not worry about maximizing any sort of EV. She quit a career as a very successful options trader and went on to study to practice public interest law, and even though she could make more money (and donate more money to charitable causes) by trading, she just wanted to do something she felt was worthwhile. I definitely do and will always live by those ideals.
No plans for writing a book as of yet, but that may change. In the near future I'm just going to be playing a lot, but I think within 4-5 years I'll want to settle down and have a family, so I won't be traveling as much and then I'll have to figure out what to do with my time. Playing more online if that's possible in NYC, coaching a little league sports team, volunteering at a non-profit organization are all things I want to do.
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
I think just always realizing that there are three options is the most important thing to always remember. So many players will have second pair and only think about call or fold, when the other player is representing a hand that probably can't stand a bluff raise. Never fail to consider all the options. I think that's what we stressed during UW and I think it still applies to all forms of poker.
As far as making another series with Dan... I'd love to, but I think he's busy playing frisbee every day with his hippie friends in San Francisco
XXPXXP
Legend
Silver Level
Hey Vanessa,
Congratualtions for your recent win!
Here is my two questions:
First On line MTT, I am not very good at play MTT 15-20bb level and 10bb and 7bb effective stack level at regular speed MTTs [about 10 minutes blinds level],My problems are not very good at balance to risk lost all stack double or survival for money. Would you share some experience about that , or if any chance, would u recommend some books about on line MTT regarding some basic guildlines about 20-15 middle stack play and specially 10 or 7bb play?
Second question is, you are currently the best female player, and some player are famous for play a specific hand -- like Brunson is famous for his T2, Johnny chan may be limp , trapping AA, and if any, what's your favourite hand, and what's your specific way to play it for extra profit [maybe] ?
thank you
Congratualtions for your recent win!
Here is my two questions:
First On line MTT, I am not very good at play MTT 15-20bb level and 10bb and 7bb effective stack level at regular speed MTTs [about 10 minutes blinds level],My problems are not very good at balance to risk lost all stack double or survival for money. Would you share some experience about that , or if any chance, would u recommend some books about on line MTT regarding some basic guildlines about 20-15 middle stack play and specially 10 or 7bb play?
Second question is, you are currently the best female player, and some player are famous for play a specific hand -- like Brunson is famous for his T2, Johnny chan may be limp , trapping AA, and if any, what's your favourite hand, and what's your specific way to play it for extra profit [maybe
] ?thank you
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Vanessa Selbst
Team Pokerstars Pro
Silver Level
This is the lamest answer ever, but epiphany = importance of position. People told me for years and years, but it was even more years before I fully embraced it, and what a difference it made! That means folding hands from the blinds that are PROBABLY THE BEST HAND just because it sucks so much to play them. Seriously, position.
In terms of off table work... things are a lot different now than when I learned - I think nowadays there is so much you can do in terms of watching videos and reviewing your own play with HEM or PT. Getting to be really good at stats crunching has GOT to be a huge benefit. It's actually on my list of things to do in the upcoming year or two as well.