Pretty cool article on a chess prodigy. I found myself relating a lot of the ideas in the article to poker. Building intuition through deliberate practice. This is why I think multi-tabling and playing tons of hands is so important, combined with studying hands and developing intuition and competence. This is implicit learning at it's essence.

http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2010/..._intuition.php

I submitted a video few days ago, it's a presentation on business planning in poker. I might do more on learning and training if the feedback is good.

Finally, I'll be posting an outline of my group coaching within a week. Apologize to the guys who contacted me recently for coaching.. I'll let you see the outline first and you can choose that or start 1-1 lessons.

The year started late for me. Got back from vacation end of January and didn't play much poker in the first month of the year. Played semi-ok and ran bad at like 10k hands of RUSH poker, and played v little HU. On vacation I had a lot of time to just sit around and think. About poker, it's future, and my future life in general. I'm realizing it's pretty important to have a long-term vision of your life. It's too easy to get stuck in the grind of playing without a purpose, and get too caught up in random real life stuff that comes up.

Something I've gotten better in the last 8-9 months is being a better pro. Our profession is so unstructured and it's easy to just wander aimlessly without a schedule and goals. In that regard I'm making a video this weekend about being a better pro. The core of the video will be discussing poker business plan (I go over my template which I'll make available for download) . Poker is a business, and a business should have a plan.

I'm reading a lot about learning, performance, and reaching expertise lately. It's a really cool subject and very applicable to any performance based field like poker. Since I'm a bad writer I plan to make a video series based on this stuff. My "How to Train for Poker" video is a good intro to the subject. The next series will go into more depth, and view learning, training, and performance from a slightly different view. One big idea I hope you get from it is that psychology is mostly irrelevant. Training builds competence, competence builds confidence, confidence leads to one associating an energizing positive feeling to performance and learning. The cycle promotes exponential learning. If you're supremely confident in your approach, you don't want to do anything different. The best psychology in poker is getting good at poker.

I'm dabbling in stock market/trading stuff lately. It's pretty fun and a nice change of pace. You often hear trading is similar to poker but that's a pretty narrow view imo. There are so many different trading styles.The point is to find a methodology that works for you. A view of the markets, technical strategy and risk management to suit your personality. I feel my personality is better suited to trading than poker because of this huge variation. I've always been a careful decision maker.. Like I research everything before I buy a computer, go on vacation etc. In trading you're not forced to play a game of quick decision making (of course that is one style, scalping or day trading). But there are long term approaches like trend following that don't require you to make trades every day. I've talked to some poker to trading guys. It takes a huge commitment and there's really no point unless you plan to make it your full-time career. On 2p2 you often here people talking like it's some easy game. It's NOT like poker where you can reach a basic level of profitability in a short time frame. It's necessary to treat it like a career and make a long term (5-10 year) plan for yourself.

Officially done with poker for 2009. Slightly disappointing December, I ran bad, but also noticed tilt creeping into my game. I ignored my stop loss rules this month. I think stop loss and disciplined quitting is very important in heads up. It's something that doesn't seem important until you abandon your rules and start bleeding money. Don't want to set any hard goals, but here is an outline for my plans for 2010.

• Grind a LOT from Jan-April. May is NBA playoffs and good weather. June is Vegas. July/August I might be moving + cricket season. Hopefully I will crush and win a ton of money at the beginning of the year, maybe even hit my rough year goal before May.
  
• Fine tune my 6-max game. Ideally I'd play 3-4 table matches at HU all year. Realistically it's hard to get consistent action, tilt is more prominent in long HU matches, variance is bigger etc. So I need to play a lot of 6-max next year to reach my monetary goals. 25k hands 6-max and 15k hands of quality HU play per month is a good target for me.
  
• Take more shots. Like most poker players I'm too risk averse. This year my calculated shots actually went really well. I need to put myself into those good games more often.
  
• Get group coaching off the ground. I didn't coach much in 2009. But it's something I've always enjoyed, and group coaching is a great way to offer help to small stakes guys at an affordable price. My mother is a teacher, I taught calculus in grad school. Teaching is in my blood I guess

My bags are packed, leaving today for vacation until Jan 17th. Sucks that some idiot tried to bomb a plane last week. Airport security is bad enough already. At least I'm not traveling through the US.

This is a good chance for me to reflect on my life, goals, gain some perspective. In general breaks are not very fruitful IMO unless it includes some level of self reflection and self improvement. There's a lot to consider as poker player. Legislation and future of the games, perceived edges in games, staying ahead of the learning curve and tweaking your hand ranges, work ethic and psychology etc etc. Something Sauce123 said recently is worth pondering.

I'll be checking leggo/PMs, so feel free to contact me about coaching requests etc. Later guys, and have a good new year.

Played a 2400 hand session at 1/2 6-max last week. I was pretty rusty, but managed to avoid any difficult spots and booked a solid win. HU games are dying slowly, and next year I see myself playing a lot more 6-handed games. It's not worth it playing regs on only 1-2 tables most of the time, and it's hard to get 4 tabling matches.

Gonna grind out a few more videos before vacation. A member review video, perhaps 1-2 midstakes hu vids. I also got an nl50 hu grinder to play a 4 table match at nl100 for a video. Looking forward to it, as it will be a good chance to identify leaks of the good players at small stakes.

Finally, the key to beating 6-handed games is to play the Phil Hellmuth hand chart.

December has started slowly for me grinding wise. Hard to get much action. I'm struggling to put in 500 hands a day. Last month I get better luck getting multi table matches going with terrible players. I'm going to grind a lot though until Christmas. I'm going to Dubai end of the month to visit the in-laws and vacation, and maybe SE Asia for a week or so. I want to finish 2009 well and take a nice long break. I'll be back around 4th week of Jan.

I finished a 2 part HU series at 2/4. I played a former student, and I think it came out as a very good series. I think it's a good series on playing a solid thinking not too aggressive, pretty straightforward player. I'm also doing a member review video at 1/2 HU that's coming out soon. If that goes well I will except more member videos (prefer HU) for the new year.

I had the honor of guest lecturing in Bobbo's group coaching session this week. It was a fun experience. I don't do much coaching, but I've been getting requests from many small stakes guys. Group coaching is more affordable and seems like a great way to interact and reach many students. I might do this in the new year, if there is enough interest.

Starting watching Curb your Enthusiasm. OMG this is the greatest show.

Weird day. Started out up $800 at 1/2, then proceeded to donk off $1200 at 2/4 to huge Sweedish drooler. I played bad and he called down a couple of 3 barrels very light. So it goes, then won back a bunch at 1/2 before playing terrible guy at 2/4 (featured in the 2/4 HH). I can see now how guys like kaint77 can win so much bum hunting mid stakes HU.

Noticed that "run it twice" is now available at 2/4. I guess it was always there? my HUD was covering it before. Will be interesting to see how often fish run it twice.

1st of hands vs 2/4 guy. I had seen him already flat QQ/66/JTs, decent spot to 4bet.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $4(BB) Replayer
($455)
Hero ($420)

Dealt to Hero 4 T

Hero raises to $12, raises to $36, Hero raises to $92, calls $56

FLOP ($184) T T 3

checks, Hero checks

TURN ($184) T T 3 J

checks, Hero bets $60, raises to $363 (AI), Hero calls $268 (AI)

RIVER ($841) T T 3 J 9

Hero shows 4 T
(Pre 36%, Flop 97.8%, Turn 90.9%)

shows Q A
(Pre 64%, Flop 2.2%, Turn 9.1%)

Hero wins $840

These types of players have a hand like Q8 or flush draw almost always here with the sizing.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $4(BB) Replayer
($398)
Hero ($874)

Dealt to Hero Q A

Hero raises to $12, calls $8

FLOP ($24) 2 8 5

checks, Hero bets $20, raises to $88, Hero raises to $862 (AI), calls $298 (AI)

TURN ($797) 2 8 5 A

RIVER ($797) 2 8 5 A A

Hero shows Q A
(Pre 72%, Flop 46.6%, Turn 95.5%)

shows Q 8
(Pre 28%, Flop 53.4%, Turn 4.5%)

Hero wins $796

Standard for me. I run good.
Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $4(BB) Replayer
($428)
Hero ($1,241)

Dealt to Hero 6 A

Hero raises to $12, raises to $32, Hero calls $20

FLOP ($64) 6 4 T

bets $44, Hero raises to $92, raises to $396 (AI), Hero calls $304

TURN ($856) 6 4 T 2

RIVER ($856) 6 4 T 2 2

Hero shows 6 A
(Pre 57%, Flop 82.3%, Turn 70.5%)

shows K 9
(Pre 43%, Flop 17.7%, Turn 29.5%)

Hero wins $856

Played this guy a bunch, he was really aggro bad in 3bet pots. Love teh flop float.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
Hero ($297)
($367)

Dealt to Hero 9 6

raises to $6, Hero raises to $22, calls $16

FLOP ($44) 3 6 7

Hero bets $26, calls $26

TURN ($96) 3 6 7 9

Hero bets $62, raises to $319 (AI), Hero calls $187 (AI)

RIVER ($595) 3 6 7 9 4

Hero shows 9 6
(Pre 30%, Flop 84.8%, Turn 86.4%)

shows 9 J
(Pre 70%, Flop 15.2%, Turn 13.6%)

Hero wins $594


Guy SNAP called the shove.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($200)
Hero ($200)

Dealt to Hero T 9

Hero raises to $6, raises to $10, Hero raises to $22, raises to $34, Hero raises to $200 (AI), calls $166 (AI)

FLOP ($400) 5 3 2

TURN ($400) 5 3 2 K

RIVER ($400) 5 3 2 K 6

Hero shows T 9
(Pre 67%, Flop 74.8%, Turn 86.4%)

shows 7 8
(Pre 33%, Flop 25.2%, Turn 13.6%)

Hero wins $399

Hey guys. Today is my 2nd wedding anniversary. Can't belief the time went by so quickly. We got married around the time I joined Leggo, seems like yesterday.

Poker is going very well this month. I'm up over 13k in 17k hands, mostly 1/2 heads up. My goal was only 10k. It's weird, I started playing like a donkey when I reached 10k. I realized that I let up my focus after reaching the goal. Looked over hands for a day and came back strong the last few days.

My new video is out. Really happy with this 2 part series. Probably my best HU video. My HU game has improved a lot in the last month. Going to try for 2/4 in my next video series. I've got a lot more $ online now, and plan to play a ton of 2/4 next month. Here are some crazy/interesting hands from today.


Guy is aggro and seems bad. He's limping a bunch tho, maybe to counteract my 3betting (weird I wasn't 3-betting much, but often people overadjust before it's even necessary). I think my play is standard here. His play is obv mega spew on flop.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
Hero ($541)
($414)

Dealt to Hero 9 5

calls $1, Hero checks

FLOP ($4) 3 9 J

Hero checks, bets $2, Hero raises to $8, raises to $26, Hero raises to $75, calls $49

TURN ($154) 3 9 J 8

Hero bets $125, raises to $337 (AI), Hero calls $212

RIVER ($828) 3 9 J 8 K

Hero shows 9 5
(Pre 41%, Flop 88.0%, Turn 84.1%)

shows A 6
(Pre 59%, Flop 12.0%, Turn 15.9%)

Hero wins $827


Same guy as 95s hand. It's only a min c/r on flop, and we have SD value, he's not repping much. Turn I like checking. I'd bet with more equity against his c/c range, but here I think checking and betting rivers is more credible. River I go for the overbet. I thought overbet would look the most suspicious, since it looks like I think a normal bet won't work as a bluff. Also I'm not repping much, and I felt he would hero call here a bunch. Surprisingly he shoved, but he wasn't repping anything. I put him on small chance of having T9 or full house, almost never a J and he thought a bit before shoving.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($302)
Hero ($847)

Dealt to Hero K 8

Hero raises to $6, calls $4

FLOP ($12) 3 J J

checks, Hero bets $8, raises to $16, Hero calls $8

TURN ($44) 3 J J 7

checks, Hero checks

RIVER ($44) 3 J J 7 8

checks, Hero bets $60, raises to $280 (AI), Hero calls $220

Hero shows K 8
(Pre 62%, Flop 29.5%, Turn 15.9%)

shows T 3
(Pre 38%, Flop 70.5%, Turn 84.1%)

Hero wins $603

This guy was aggro, never folded to cbets. Plan is to bet/call flop and call most turns too. His c/r makes not much sense. I figured this was A4/A5/nut FD/KJ type hand (he peels light). Of course he can sometimes have a Q, but this player would prob c/c to induce a river bluff (he was definitely thinking). River he tanked a bit, and I think he won't stop the bluff on hearts.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($250)
Hero ($511)

Dealt to Hero 6 6

Hero raises to $6, calls $4

FLOP ($12) 2 3 3

checks, Hero bets $10, calls $10

TURN ($32) 2 3 3 Q

checks, Hero bets $26, raises to $80, Hero calls $54

RIVER ($192) 2 3 3 Q 4

bets $154 (AI), Hero calls $154

Hero shows 6 6
(Pre 53%, Flop 76.0%, Turn 86.4%)

shows T K
(Pre 47%, Flop 24.0%, Turn 13.6%)

Hero wins $499

Hey guys. Indeed I am still alive. Getting back into poker the last month or so. The big talk in the poker world lately is the crazy nosebleed action between Isildur vs team full tilt. This guy is my new idol. Not because of his skill, but his worth ethic. Apparently he grinds 6 tables HU which is just insane. This sounds lame, but I get inspired to grind after sweating him play. He also plays anybody, something I'm trying to do at lower stakes hehe. Grinding a solid living at mid stakes is fine, but I feel I have untapped poker potental.

Going to buy a web cam tomorrow, and try a video blog. Also recorded part 1 of a HU video series playing 1/2 and 2/4 on FTP. I'm not super happy with commentary (play was ok), so might re-record.

In aejones style, here are some hands to ponder. Stroll down, I don't win every pot.

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $4(BB) Replayer
($400)
Hero ($914)

Dealt to Hero A A

Hero raises to $12, raises to $44, Hero raises to $108, raises to $400 (AI), Hero calls $292

FLOP ($800) 9 8 Q

TURN ($800) 9 8 Q 6

RIVER ($800) 9 8 Q 6 T

Hero shows A A
shows J A

wins $799

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($499)
Hero ($529)

Dealt to Hero A K

Hero raises to $6, raises to $22, Hero raises to $48, calls $26

FLOP ($96) T K 4

checks, Hero bets $60, calls $60

TURN ($216) T K 4 Q

checks, Hero bets $125, calls $125

RIVER ($466) T K 4 Q 7

checks, Hero bets $296 (AI), calls $266 (AI)

Hero shows A K
shows 9 7

Hero wins $997

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($822)
Hero ($385)

Dealt to Hero Q K

Hero raises to $6, raises to $24, Hero calls $18

FLOP ($48) 2 4 2

bets $28, Hero calls $28

TURN ($104) 2 4 2 Q

checks, Hero bets $75, calls $75

RIVER ($254) 2 4 2 Q T

checks, Hero bets $258 (AI), calls $258

Hero shows Q K
shows A K

Hero wins $770

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
Hero ($621)
($304)

Dealt to Hero 4 4

raises to $6, Hero calls $4

FLOP ($12) 2 Q 4

Hero checks, checks

TURN ($12) 2 Q 4 7

Hero checks, bets $10, Hero raises to $36, calls $26

RIVER ($84) 2 Q 4 7 K

Hero bets $60, raises to $262 (AI), Hero calls $202

Hero shows 4 4
shows 8 2

Hero wins $607

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($245)
Hero ($970)

Dealt to Hero T T

Hero raises to $6, calls $4

FLOP ($12) T 7 Q

checks, Hero bets $10, raises to $30, Hero raises to $75, calls $45

TURN ($162) T 7 Q T

checks, Hero checks

RIVER ($162) T 7 Q T 2

checks, Hero bets $889 (AI), calls $164 (AI)

Hero shows T T
shows 8 J

Hero wins $489

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($217)
Hero ($310)

Dealt to Hero 5 4

Hero raises to $6, calls $4

FLOP ($12) 4 2 5

checks, Hero checks

TURN ($12) 4 2 5 4

checks, Hero bets $10, raises to $32, Hero calls $22

RIVER ($76) 4 2 5 4 A

bets $88, Hero raises to $272 (AI), calls $91.50 (AI)

Hero shows 5 4
shows 3 3

Hero wins $434

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($474)
Hero ($764)

Dealt to Hero A J

Hero raises to $6, raises to $22, Hero calls $16

FLOP ($44) 8 A 8

bets $25, Hero raises to $75, calls $50

TURN ($194) 8 A 8 T

checks, Hero bets $125, raises to $377 (AI), Hero calls $252

RIVER ($948) 8 A 8 T 2

Hero shows A J
shows K Q

wins $948

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($357)
Hero ($566)

Dealt to Hero J Q

Hero raises to $6, calls $4

FLOP ($12) T J 2

bets $10, Hero raises to $30, raises to $74, Hero calls $44

TURN ($160) T J 2 4

bets $90, Hero raises to $486 (AI), calls $187 (AI)

RIVER ($714) T J 2 4 8

Hero shows J Q
shows 2 2

wins $713

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
Hero ($613)
($323)

Dealt to Hero A 8

raises to $6, Hero calls $4

FLOP ($12) 8 A 6

Hero checks, bets $10, Hero raises to $28, calls $18

TURN ($68) 8 A 6 9

Hero bets $45, calls $45

RIVER ($158) 8 A 6 9 4

Hero bets $534 (AI), calls $244 (AI)

Hero shows A 8
shows 5 7


wins $645

Grabbed by Holdem Manager
NL Holdem $2(BB) Replayer
($206)
Hero ($739)

Dealt to Hero 9 Q

Hero raises to $6, raises to $20, Hero calls $14

FLOP ($40) J K J

bets $24, Hero calls $24

TURN ($88) J K J T

bets $24, Hero calls $24

RIVER ($136) J K J T 8

bets $50, Hero raises to $671 (AI), calls $88 (AI)

Hero shows 9 Q
shows Q A

wins $411

I've caught the tournament bug lately. I'm very rusty in late game situations. This is unacceptable obviously since such a huge % of your roi comes from deep and final table play. Anyways, was reading old 2p2 mtt threads and revisited a classic article. It's a post about success/failure, poker, life. The article is good on many levels, but wanted to highlight an excerpt related to tilt control.

This is so true in my game. If I just ignore my emotions the tilt just builds up. I'm getting better at quitting when reaching this point. But playing through these feelings is definitely more +EV. Anyways, it's a great read and this bit is pretty insightful.

Reference
Gigabet's almost there with success and failure

Got back from Vegas mid week. I've been in a weird funk since. Mostly catching up on tivo, and taking it easy. Played today for first time back. Ran well and final tabled random tourney for $1700. Bustout hand 8 handed (standard steep FT payouts on FTP). Aggro/decent mp opens, I shove 15bb with 44 in CO. Not sure if that's the right play. I think it's ashove from the blinds, but with 3 to act and not much FE (guy had ~45bb) fold might be better?

Vegas was great. Ran hot at live, played a bunch of bball, watched summerleague, and other random degeneracy. Ran into Adam Morrison at Venetian poker room. He wasn't in a speaking mood, and was running $200 flips! Brandon Jennings is my new favorite player. Guy is just off the wall ridiculous. The basketball at summer league is pretty low quality, but we bet on everything and there were plenty of hilarious/wtf moments on the court. Played pickup at the 24hr fitness. Assani, Mike (polyballer) are v good, and everyone was pretty solid. Apparently Vitas is a dominator but didn't grace us with his presence. Bunch of other funny stories I'm forgetting. Anyways, was a good time. Can't wait till next year.

But now I must get back to reality. Moving in a week, and want to finish the month strong poker wise. I'll get back to posting about something interesting/meaningful/psychology related soon.