Live game advice? (with long story)

Celtic_Green

Celtic_Green

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Hi guys,
I dont normally post here, but i've been looking to get more involved, so this should be a good start. I started playing cash games and small tournaments at friends houses when I was 16 or 17 (and when I say friends, it was with alot of guys in their 30's and 40's). I usually did pretty well, and I, like alot of young people, thought I was the best player around. I read books, played online, and put alot of time into my poker game. In fact, my overall goal was, and still is, to play professionally at some point in my life. In late 2010, I started playing in casinos, as I had turned 21. I quickly learned that I definitely wasn't as good as I had thought I was. I still think i'm pretty good, and my long term goal is still to play professionally. I'm well aware it could be years before that happens, but i'm dedicated and I know that I still have alot of learning to do. Thats fine though, because I want to learn, I want to get better, and I want to put the time in to improve my game, I just don't know where to start. I dont really know anyone in my area that can analyze my game and give me advice. Anyways, this was pretty much an introduction to me, my question's in the next paragraph lol.
Most of the time I play in my local casino, I play 1-3 NL. i've played 2-5 a couple times, but I don't know that I have the BR for that at this point in time. When I started playing 1-3, I did fairly well. Originally, I played tight aggressive, but over the past year i've loosened up a little (i'd still definitely consider myself a tight player overall). The past few months i've been noticing a problem, and I don't really know how to deal with it. For whatever reason, i've had alot of trouble dealing with aggressive players. Last year, I didn't have this problem. If I was in a hand and someone bet out a significant amount of money, I wouldn't be afraid to make the call or raise if I thought he was bluffing. I'd even be able to make the occasional hero call. It seems like this strange fear started during February. I really dont know what is happening. The situations have been the same, but even if I think someone is bluffing or i've got them beat, its gotten really hard to call medium or big bets. Last week, I was at a table with 3 pretty aggressive players, and I had alot of trouble. I tried being aggressive back at them, with no luck. I tried playing tight and waiting for a solid hand to get them, and it never came. Last night though, I was at a table where everyone was incredibly tight and passive. I ended up playing much more aggressive and it was a cake walk. My money situation hasn't changed since last year, I've just developed this strange nervousness that's really hard to shake. So, I guess my question is, given this situation, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with aggressive players with whats going on with me? If any of you actually read all of this, I am impressed, I just ramble. Good or bad, thanks for all advice
 
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queenie279

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Could the nervousness with agg players be is you're afraid to lose money? It's not always going to be easy. You get ALL types of players at those tables. If you go to a table nervous maybe you shouldn't sit.
 
Celtic_Green

Celtic_Green

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At first, I considered that it might be a fear of losing money, but, for me, it wouldn't explain why I didn't have this issue throughout the last year. Like I said, my money situation hasn't changed, so I didn't think that would affect it. I dont play above my br, I dont take money that I can't afford to lose, I'm just stumped. I mean, I guess its possible that its the fear of losing money, but if so, I dont know where this came from.
 
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Poker_play

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What's up mate..
Best advice that jumps to mind is go to casinos with a good/smart friend. Maybe someone you played with at house games. I've done that for several years..discuss all the big hands, big situations..analyze eachother's play..etc. Both me and my friend have found that very profitable!
In the particular situation you're in now..I'd suggest:
Reraise more (whether preflop, or check-raising on the flop). I'm a very aggressive ($2/5 or $5/10) player and there's nothing I hate more then that. If you're reading that these aggro players are raising often with a wide range of hands--take advantage of that read. Make them make terrible calls with that range..they either won't, or when they do you'll find yourself in stronger positions post-flop. If you're just calling and letting them dictate the hand..you're going to find yourself having to make very uncomfortable calls on turn and river (which is their goal). If I know you're only comfortable showing the nuts..I'm going to make you show the nuts lol (which won't happen often enough for me to worry about). Especially when the board is a tricky one.
Definitely don't jump to $2/5 yet..you'll see more aggro there lol. I don't need details lol but make sure you're properly rolled--if when you bust you have to go home..that's a terrible situation to be putting yourself in--one that's going to cloud/impact your decisions..something that good aggro players will catch on to.
 
Mark Jacobs

Mark Jacobs

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Sounds to me like, essentially, a confidence problem. A few bad plays, coupled with some bad beats, can do that to you and have you start questioning your decisions. If you were playing well before, and having success with your basic tight aggressive style of play, I don't necessarily see a reason to change that (though, of course, you should be able to adjust to the table and even be willing to experiment with different strategies at a level you can afford). But you also need to be honest with yourself - one of the most important yet toughest things for poker players to do. Were you really as successful as you thought you were, particularly since starting to play in live casinos? If you can honestly say your game was successful for you, then try to get back to the basics of what worked when you were doing well. Playing for smaller stakes online or in home games, or entering some small tournaments might be helpful. Do something to make it fun for you, rather than feeling you have to sweat over every decision and end up not being able to pull the trigger.
 
Celtic_Green

Celtic_Green

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Thanks for the responses guys, I really appreciate it. I spoke with a friend that's been playing for like 15 years and he actually said the same thing as you, Mark. He said it seemed like I was having confidence issues and wasn't trusting in my game as much. We had a pretty long talk, and the more we spoke, the more it all made sense. The first couple months of 2012 I was running pretty bad, and I guess at some point during that stretch, I lost the confidence that I had worked hard to gain. Also taking Poker play's advice, my friend's gonna try to come out to watch me play soon, so that I have someone to talk to about the hands and certain situations. I need to get mentally tougher, I know that swings are a part of the game, yet when it happens, I have a slight breakdown.
 
Celtic_Green

Celtic_Green

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For anyone who's wondering, I played 1/3 last night at the casino, and did pretty well. The past few days i've picked up on reading, specifically, Phil Gordon's Little Green Book, and Decide To Play Great Poker. I'm not done reading them, but I took notes and tried to incorporate what I read into my game. I made position a big priority, and raised alot more when I was first into the pot, things I probably should of been doing alot more of in the past. It wasn't a huge night, but the first time I sat down, I sat with $200 and left with $300 when I went to eat dinner. I came back, started with $200 again, and left with $500. So, it was a nice night, and i'm just gonna keep reading as much as I can, and apply the information to my game.
 
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TruePlayer12

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I know sometimes it's hard to pick a certain table at certain casinos since so many people are waiting to play. But, you may want to watch some of the NL tables and see if it's an aggressive table or tight. Since you do better against tight players, choose that table. Study and learn about aggressive opponents and once your ready, jump in and see how you handle it. Another option is online poker. Researching tables are a lot easier that way. Might even help you from being so nervous as well.

Also, take some time off from poker. I mean everything dealing with poker. Take a week or two off. You'll see a difference when you come back to it. Talking about position, if your just now understanding that, you may need to read more books about NL. Position is one of the most important aspects in NL games. I'm not taking a shot at you or anything like that. Just offering advice. Seems like your doing well after reading some of Phil Gordon's book. GL at the tables!!!
 
Celtic_Green

Celtic_Green

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No offense taken, I understand what you mean. It wasn't that I didn't understand position or the value of it, I think my overall game just needs alot of work. I knew how important position was, but for whatever reason, ended up playing alot of hands out of position. Either way, i'm always doing my best to grow as a player, and I know that things can only get better from here.
 
zarrmonster

zarrmonster

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Thanks for your post Celtic. It addressed some of the same questions I had. And reading the advise of other players was helpful.
So, thanks for your post and thanks to all who responded. I l got something out of reading them Yippie!!
BTW good to hear you are doing btr at the table. Good luck!
 
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