So you think you're good at poker....

Defying · Sep 18, 2015

I honestly thought I was at the very least above average at poker ... I think the first step is realizing you're not.. when I would talk hands with people and they would have suggestions, I always "defended" the way I played instead of trying to improve... It took me a year of watching HarryCaray's poker play to understand I was no where close to him, and a below average player. So I asked him to help me..

It's amazing how much my game has improved since.. I was actually only playing tournaments and being analyzed that way from HC, but it's cash games that have become my specialty.

I've tried to keep up with my numbers... Since working with HC, I'm averaging over $40 an hour playing cash games, this is at 1/2 tables... I've done it in Vegas, in local casino's and at the local home games... Ive only had a handful of losing sessions. It's crazy feeling to buy in for $100-$200 and cash out for $1000-$1500 without ever busting -- and it surprises me how frequently this has happened.

I still feel like I make mistakes and need to improve things -- particularly, short handed, I'm awful. but for those of you that think you are good, I encourage you to find someone who is better, and learn everything you can from them. Don't defend you're hands as much, a try different things. It's a very rewarding game...

All of this to say, HC really knows his poker.... Now if we could only get HarryCaray to stop playing these low stakes and get him to move up to the big boy level where he can really cash out huge...

festeringZit · Sep 18, 2015

My poker results over the last few months. Lately I've just been playing one evening a week $1/$2 NL, but I'm
happy with my results.

06/15/15	Golden Nugget	Lake Charles	$1/$3	(950.00)
06/15/15				350
06/16/15				800
06/16/15				100
06/16/15				600
06/17/15				150
06/17/15	L'Auberge	Lake Charles	$1/$3	150
07/15/15	Texas Card House	Austin	$1/$2	233
07/21/15				(470.00)
07/29/15	Golden Nugget	Lake Charles	$1/$3	(600.00)
07/30/15				60
08/07/15	Texas Card House	Austin	$1/$2	485
08/13/15				469
08/20/15				56
08/26/15				350
08/28/15				1982
09/02/15				(191.00)
09/09/15				(230.00)
09/17/15				975.00
				=======
				4319.00

PatsFan1283 · Sep 18, 2015

That's a cool story Defy.

Can translate that advice far and wide.

I don't really play poker but I have a group of friends who do. All made a lot of $ playing over the years, the ones that thought they were so good are struggling now and the ones that continued to learn are still thriving despite the overall market environment being far less profitable than it was 5 years ago.

Defying · Sep 18, 2015

1982 in a night -- thats impressive!

festeringZit · Sep 18, 2015

Defying said:
1982 in a night -- thats impressive!

That night was insane, I kept getting great starting hands that held up. I was never sucked out on all night long.

HarryCaray · Sep 18, 2015

Thanks for the kind words man. I'm really glad to see you are doing well. It still sometimes astounds me

For those wondering, no this was not a requested endorsement. I'm not actively seeking to coach.

HarryCaray · Sep 18, 2015

The point rings true though. To become good at something you must first embrace your ignorance.

Defying · Sep 18, 2015

HarryCaray said:
I'm not actively seeking to coach.

idk why not...

HarryCaray · Sep 18, 2015

Defying said:
idk why not...

Short answer, I don't like people.

Willie99 · Sep 18, 2015

I know I suck at poker

festeringZit · Sep 18, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Short answer, I don't like people.

Lol. I don't have patience for stupidity and sloth. That's why I'm not a good teacher. My wife on the other hand is a brilliant teacher.

RenoChazz · Sep 18, 2015

I'm good enough to break even. I've only made one deposit at WSOP.com in the two years I've been there. I play to get enough points to play all the freerolls, and cash out a small amount every month. I guess I'm a free roll whore.

skoda · Sep 18, 2015

My 1st time I was told PTL... Patience Timing Luck

I played with a guy who I later called DN at a local bar about 10 yrs ago. Weekly Cash Tourneys with lots of $1 Beers........ It's rough too wait especially when you have a 6-7 being BB with 3-4 all-ins......Patience? Push or what....

That's where your Timing is on or off! You don't push and flop is 669 and you say......

Next hand you get AK suited Small Blind and you push with 3 others all-in, flop is 456..... with a 7 on turn and 4 on river........ gee-sus No Luck!

If you're a person with whatever skills I think it's tougher on-line which is why you always see another name on top. HC is an exception and shows lots of patience. (<)<

Maybe we'll meet again.... Odds are high without some skills but I'm sure Timing/Luck is a part of everyones game!

HarryCaray · Sep 18, 2015

skoda said:
My 1st time I was told PTL... Patience Timing Luck

I played with a guy who I later called DN at a local bar about 10 yrs ago. Weekly Cash Tourneys with lots of $1 Beers........ It's rough too wait especially when you have a 6-7 being BB with 3-4 all-ins......Patience? Push or what....

That's where your Timing is on or off! You don't push and flop is 669 and you say......

Next hand you get AK suited Small Blind and you push with 3 others all-in, flop is 456..... with a 7 on turn and 4 on river........ gee-sus No Luck!

If you're a person with whatever skills I think it's tougher on-line which is why you always see another name on top. HC is an exception and shows lots of patience. (<)<

Maybe we'll meet again.... Odds are high without some skills but I'm sure Timing/Luck is a part of everyones game!

Timing aka luck aka variance

Skill always wins out, the rest is just noise.

Hope to play with you again too skoda

festeringZit · Sep 18, 2015

skoda said:
My 1st time I was told PTL... Patience Timing Luck

I played with a guy who I later called DN at a local bar about 10 yrs ago. Weekly Cash Tourneys with lots of $1 Beers........ It's rough too wait especially when you have a 6-7 being BB with 3-4 all-ins......Patience? Push or what....

That's where your Timing is on or off! You don't push and flop is 669 and you say......

Next hand you get AK suited Small Blind and you push with 3 others all-in, flop is 456..... with a 7 on turn and 4 on river........ gee-sus No Luck!

If you're a person with whatever skills I think it's tougher on-line which is why you always see another name on top. HC is an exception and shows lots of patience. (<)<

Maybe we'll meet again.... Odds are high without some skills but I'm sure Timing/Luck is a part of everyones game!

I see people getting carried away with AK, AQ, AJ... way too much pre-flop.

Here's a hand from last night:

$1/$2 NL. I raise in early position to $11 with QQ. I get 2-3 callers. Flop 3 5 8 rainbow. I bet $25, get two folds and a maniac raises me (min raise)
to $50. Knowing how this guy plays, I'm pretty sure I have the best hand, and so I raise him all in (he had about $250 behind). He hems and
haws and calls with A3. WTF. I ask him WTF he was thinking, he says "I put you on AK." ROFL.

Turn was the ace.

!@#%^*&!^@%#7*!%@^#%!

River was another Q. Justice was served.

festeringZit · Sep 18, 2015

Another hand from last night:

I call a small raise preflop ($7 I think) with 88. 4-way pot. Flop is JJ9, checks around.
Turn is an 8. Early position bets $25 at it, I put in a small raise to sweeten the pot, and
let drawers draw at it. Guy to my left calls and original better thinks a while and then pushes
$150 more. I flat call, and the guy next to me calls.

River is a king. Guy to my right stands up like he knows he's beat (the guy that is allin).
Guy to my left has about $150 left. I decide that I need to get more value, and if he
has JK or another hand that beats me, so be it... I bet $100 more, and guy to my left
calls.

They both show jack ten, and I win a nice pot.

pocketrockets · Sep 18, 2015

HarryCaray said:
Short answer, I don't like people.

I would be very interested in some in depth classes of poker math and HEM2 bro... honestly I feel I stayed behind in class when I stopped playing back in 2011, started again last year and eventho I prolly won 10k I went and lost 4-5k playing higher limits in which players are obviously more crafty... I know how to calculate outs, percentages and have a fair idea of what the HEM stats mean but I dont have a fair understand how to categorize certain opponents. I could skype you this but it would be interesting to document my process and progress before/after HC Poker Math 101. I am willing to document results and it might be a good booster for the HC high stakes career!

Don't feel obliged, just wanted to throw the idea out there, and it could be later on or in small doses 1 day a week or 2.

StraightXRS · Sep 19, 2015

Hey defying, where do you recommend one starts, if they want to learn poker? Assuming they know the game but only know very basic strategy.

Defying · Sep 19, 2015

StraightXRS said:
Hey defying, where do you recommend one starts, if they want to learn poker? Assuming they know the game but only know very basic strategy.

honestly just play...
i started in bar leagues... they were a good group of people and it's very easy competition so its a great place to learn, plus it cost you nothing -- however some bar leagues are terrible... and you gotta enjoy the people because youll see them weekly...

you can play online too if that's your thing, my game hasn't translated yet online. Idk I get too distracted as in real life, I am just focusing on the game.

but play tight, bluffing is a skill that is too be learned..
once you play and decide you like the game, there's a lot of books out there... theory of poker is always the one thrown out...

i do it as a social activity although the competitor in me wants to win. make sure it's something you enjoy doing first, then read some beginner books, try to adjust your play...
when you have hands that you feel you may have misplayed, put it on the forum. I'd hate to plug another forum,but I know HC who is easily the best player I know, he uses 2+2 and they will give you feedback
it doesn't happen over night. i still have a long way to go, and honestly Ill probably never get there. but it's nice to know I can dominate a 1/2 game

niltes · Sep 19, 2015

In reality, one doesn't have to be a very strong player to win at most
1-2 NL games as there are just too many undisciplined live ones playing.
these players are just not deceptive enough to cause one to make too
many tough decisions. the tighter and better players usually play straight
forward enough that one doesn't have to pay them off as long as you are
paying attention. the skills needed are discipline, patience, aggression, and
the ability to throw away a good hand when likely beat. knowing the value
of a hand before and after the flop along with the value of position are
important too. when one plays at higher levels, ALL OF THOSE SKILLS ARE VITAL
along with the ability to adjust ones game to different players. hope this helps.

So you think you're good at poker....

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

EV Whore

EV Whore

Member

EV Whore

Conservatives, Patriots & Huskies return to glory

Member

Member

Member

EV Whore

Member

Member

Banned

Joe Public

Member

schmuck

Forum statistics

Share this page