More poker thoughts (written October 27)

I'm liking the idea of just talking general strategy and not always specific hands.  Here are a few more thoughts.

Playing tight

This can never be bad.  Think about it - when has anyone ever said "I really need to start playing KJo more - I'm just losing so much value".  Or "87s in middle position is such a dominating hand".  Never.  

Even hands like AJ, AQ in early position (or even facing a raise), JJ in early position - are these hands really that good?  What the hell do you do with JJ under the gun?  I'm playing it, but I just don't know that a raise even makes sense.

My point is that if you cut some of these hands out, especially when it just doesn't feel right, I think you are going to come out way ahead.  Even if you are breaking even with these overall, the mental stress you go through of mostly losing pots with these hands is huge.  And on the off chance where you flop T87 with your J9o, how often are you winning a monster pot?  It happens, but think about how often that happens vs how many times you flop a draw and miss, or flop a pair and have no idea where you are.  

Also think about this - yeah, you have KK, it's an amazing hand.  But on the flop or later in the hand, you're in a super tricky spot and don't know what to do.  You don't HAVE TO win money with that hand.  The other card could have easily been a 3, and if that happened, you wouldn't think twice about this hand.  Dwelling on what you have preflop is obviously a mistake.  If you feel that a hand is not going in the direction you want - people are WAY too interested in the hand, people are putting money in where they aren't just calling you, just fold!  Who cares.  Seriously folding after you put in $150 isn't going to hurt you that bad.  Calling off your whole stack will cost you $1000+, but even worse it will fuck you up mentally to where you think you can't even play well.  That's not a good spot to be in.

So for me, I'm just tightening up.  Last night this guy (probably a pro) was complaining that there was no action.  He says "what hands are you guys waiting for???" and I say "aces".  This guy is going to get pissed because the game isn't moving at the pace he wants, AND I'm conserving money.  These pros can't get my money if it's not in the pot.  

OK I guess I just had that one topic today.  Back to work, and maybe tonight I'm off to the poker tables!