IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
Mindset for play if you are having too many ups and downs.
Think about this:
Is there background noise?
Is the TV on?
Are you talking on the phone?
Do things in your life trouble you?
Are you mentally alert and focused?
Is chat distracting you?
Are you sick or have a headache?
Suggestion, eliminate all you can that can be considered
distracting. Then we go to the next step.
Start with your first hand. Get it in your head that this
hand played right will make the difference whether you make it to the money or not. Always pretend you’re on the bubble
and if you win this hand, you’ll make it to the money. Each and every hand! Don’t play it if you have a doubt.
Don’t keep flipping back to the tournament lobby
to check how many more people have to go out before you get in the money, it takes you from your mental game. It’s a
distraction.
Each and every single hand, focus and always think, “I
need to play this hand smartly”.
Look at my notes on the people in the hand. (If I have
any)
Remember their past plays. Are they catching cards? Are
they aggressive? Do they chase a lot and what? Are they loose and bet to stay in the hand? I try to make it a practice to
make at least one little note on a player each hand whether I am in the hand or not. This keeps my brain in the hand by watching
closely.
Pay attention to performance by other players. Pay attention
to chip stacks. I can’t push around someone with 20K in chips if I only have 2K. Also, watch the change in the
way people play once their chip stacks change. Note the changes in their behavior. You will be surprised at what you
see especially when you play them again another day and realize you have notes on them. You'll click on the notes and know
in advance on their table personalities and play. Talk about getting the upper hand in advance! That will do it.
What position am I in? How many people are in the hand?
These are things you always have to consider.
If I'm in early position and I raise strong or go all
in pre-flop with say, Pocket Aces and I get numerous callers or re-raises, chances of winning that hand are
less than if there were fewer people in the hand. The more people in the hand, the less chance’s you have.
Remember as an example,
a Q/J suited can be a powerful hand if your in late position and nobody raised or re-raised before you and again I repeat
“your in late position”. You have the ability to make a bet and make the players in the hand think you got a monster.
Also take into account how many people called the blinds before it came to you. Remember again what I said, “The fewer
people in the hand the stronger it is”.
When I enter a hand, I’m usually willing to sacrifice
the game, that’s how sure I am. I also know that I can change my mind if I get a surprise. I still have the option to
fold.
May your Flops Make you Full!
Arctic Fox
gwwest@gci.net
