Focus,focus,ummm.....FOCUS!

[Ciso_B]

Start of 2009 is here, and I didn't set any real poker goals for the year. I want to play WSOP 09 , and bar something insane, I will be playing , so that's all good. But before then , I obviously want to build my BR further, and continue to improve my game.

Problem I've encountered the last 7/8 days, is my focus, really hasn't been what It should be. It's not been a problem in the past when I've had it engrained to play good, solid poker. Not that I think
Im playing terribly now.But the standards I set for myself, I've been giving chips away in a some situations where I just wouldn't 5 weeks ago.

So it kinda dawns on me (as Im sure it has before), that sometimes you think you're in your element and playing fine, but you can't let your mind slide when you play poker. Don't just play cards/ auto pilot stuff. Give yourself a kick up the backside, and say " FOCUS".
True story from this week, I played the first 2/3 days pretty average, not really up for playing, despite the fact I didn't play as much as I usually would in December, so I had my fun, playing my new games, and said to myself " tonight im just gonna play really well", and low and behold , thanks to the poker gods too also, I managed to FT that very night in field over 1500. I didn't win,but it made me remember that you have to play well if you want to do well.

I've had the bad habits of this week creep back in, mostly due to the fact I purchased a fair few dvds and been playin football manager, but Im going to make it a real big effort over the next few days, to keep on top of my game.
I haven't really had any strong showings the last 6/7 weeks imo, a couple of $1.5k-$3k , but no top 3s certainly. Obviously you can't expect to win all the time, but its also the feeling that I just haven't been playing great poker the last month that urged me to write about it.

2 hands from today , 2 different ones, where I certainly could have got away from.
1- I raise A-Q. 2 callers, flop A34,I get check riased,(bb 20 or 30, early in mtt, 3k stack), to 420,I call,then call shove on J turn. He shows 3-3. hmm didn't need to go broke there imo 10 mins in mtt.

2- T-T,I call mp raise, flop 5-7-8 I lead out he calls, turn I have 1900 ,he has me covered ,I check , he bets 950 into 1150, I put in the rest, he shows Kc6c.

Both hands I could have at least kept myself alive. Still, I've discovered my flaws and thats a start. So although this is a selfish post, trying to identify to myself I have to keep my attention span up, its also a little warning to you guys too. Sometimes you think you're playin fine , or you're running bad, but really, you're just not on top of your game, and you're in denial....

stay classy thp

[supafrey]

wow this is really long and bloggy and boring.

keep it in your thread, shakespeare.

[Ciso_B]

Sorry..I do tend to ramble.

[kingetje]

yes focus/disciprine is key.... it wasnt til i really had that sorted out pretty well that i started winning more consistently. of course not tilting falls under these things as well.

go ciso youll FT another one of these big bitches again sooner or later