The Funk

jsta281 · Tweet this Post! #1 05-29-2011, 12:38 AM

So I lurk here alot ,and rarely post, but I guess I just need to get some perspective. My friends and I play a very friendly game, low stakes almost every Friday and Saturday. We invite new comers alot but there are 6 of us that play all the time. Anyway generally speaking I usually win 40+ percent of the time. Lately, it seems aside from just down right horrible starting cards most of the time, it seam the few times I have a decent hand I'm getting cracked, or if I'm in position to make a play at a pot I'm getting horribly unlucky.

So aside from my venting at my bad luck, is it "common" to go though spells where nothing seems to go right? and aside from just hoping for better cards, what do some of you do strategy wise to "snap" out of it?

In this particular game it's not really about the money (as much as poker can not be about the money) but i'm to the point where I don't even really want to play?

Ok I'm done ranting, I guess I'm looking for people to commiserate with me.

Starem Down · Tweet this Post! #2 05-29-2011, 09:28 AM

I'm assuming your game has evolved over time to where you're now getting 4-5+ players seeing it down all the way to the river, despite playing the same way where in the past would've gotten them off their hands. You have several options: 1. Up the stakes, 2. Get new players, 3. mix in some Omaha, HORSE, Stud, or other game; and 4. ignore the previous options and give it up, cuz your homegame with your current setup has run it's course and unfortunately has caused you to lose your edge. Also, be brutally honest with your play...are you playing as well as you think you are? Be critical and objective.... .02..

mipevi · Tweet this Post! #3 05-29-2011, 11:17 AM

Rigged.

jsta281 · Tweet this Post! #4 05-29-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starem Down

I'm assuming your game has evolved over time to where you're now getting 4-5+ players seeing it down all the way to the river, despite playing the same way where in the past would've gotten them off their hands. You have several options: 1. Up the stakes, 2. Get new players, 3. mix in some Omaha, HORSE, Stud, or other game; and 4. ignore the previous options and give it up, cuz your homegame with your current setup has run it's course and unfortunately has caused you to lose your edge. Also, be brutally honest with your play...are you playing as well as you think you are? Be critical and objective.... .02..

Wow, there is some good stuff here. I think in some part many of the things you suggested are going on. My play has not been perfect, but I think our friendly game has evolved in a large way as you described. We did play Omaha a bit a while ago but last time we tried it we are all so addicted to Hold em we just quit the Omaha game and finished with hold em. Not sure our friendly game would servive with Increasing the stakes. So what's the best strategy in a game where your going to have 3+ players paying almost any bet to see the flop and probably the turn trying to make a hand? I know it's kinda dumb, but it seems this should be exploitable, and instead I'm just taking a beating.

BKMastermind375 · Tweet this Post! #5 05-29-2011, 12:49 PM

We all go through these dry spells when nothing seems to go right and there isn't really a way to beat it. All you can do is keep making the right decisions and hope that they result in positive outcomes (and eventually they will). Besides, if it's not about the money all that much, just drink a couple extra beers and have fun.

jsta281 · Tweet this Post! #6 05-29-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKMastermind375

We all go through these dry spells when nothing seems to go right and there isn't really a way to beat it. All you can do is keep making the right decisions and hope that they result in positive outcomes (and eventually they will). Besides, if it's not about the money all that much, just drink a couple extra beers and have fun.

Ya that's good advice. It's just so damn frustrating to see crappy play get rewarded. You expect it to happen sometimes but when it prolongs you begin to wonder if your doing something wrong.

JM · Tweet this Post! #7 05-29-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsta281

So what's the best strategy in a game where your going to have 3+ players paying almost any bet to see the flop and probably the turn trying to make a hand? I know it's kinda dumb, but it seems this should be exploitable, and instead I'm just taking a beating.

Either up the stakes/limits or exercise pot control and keep the pot small when you don't hit the flop and. Punish them for chasing when you do improve on the flop but work on your reading ability and be ready to get away from it when they make their hand on the river.

jsta281 · Tweet this Post! #8 05-29-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JM

Either up the stakes/limits or exercise pot control and keep the pot small when you don't hit the flop and. Punish them for chasing when you do improve on the flop but work on your reading ability and be ready to get away from it when they make their hand on the river.

Yes this is good advice. I would not consider myself a great reader when I sit down with a bunch of people I don't know (I seem to hold my own, i.e. not get stuck very often when in places like Vegas) but these guys I can read pretty good because we play all the time. As I re-think it I need to pause a bit before I decide what to do and actually think about what it is they could be playing.

JM · Tweet this Post! #9 05-29-2011, 03:24 PM

It also sounds like they may have a good read on you and could be exploiting it. You may have physical and/or betting tells.

Starem Down · Tweet this Post! #10 05-29-2011, 04:23 PM

The real dilemma you have is that folks playing real small stakes come to PLAY. And their mentality is that FOLDING IS NOT PLAYING. And at .05/.10 (assumption), people can live with losing some mahneez. Look at it from this standpoint: Are they married? With kids? They'd prolly would love to hit the bars, but can't cuz of the wife; but would given the opportunity. But alas, can't, but knowing they'd dump 60-100 bux on alcohol and a hangover, what's 30-60 bux on a night of fun poker?

So...what to do? JM hit it on the head by saying to keep the pots controlled and hittem hard at the end. But...you're probably going through the "I don't want to be an a-hole to my friends" mentality, so you don't play as aggressively as you like. I mean, when you raise, you get the "Oh here we go", or some remark acknowledging you're a shark (or think you are); so you curtail your game to oblige your "friendships" at the table. This is totally anti-EV in the worst way, in terms of winning at poker, AND it takes away YOUR fun. I mean, don't kid yourself, you're there to win, and winning is mahneez. At any stakes.

Advice, tell the guys you're bored with the stakes and you want to increase them a tad.