Questions for those Gents that love to help

[AceLosesKing]

Garth and Ben seem to have covered everything

[Nevah play JJ]

I will answer your questions as best I can and it won't be a detailed report like Kleemann seems to be writing!

Garth,
That was amazing. Thank you so much! (which no doubt is what someone Mum said to you last night... LOL)
But seriously: It answered everything I wanted to know and to be honest it will be interesting to read what AK has to say also.

Question 1
Just to answer and ask a few more questions, I have an online account with cash in it with 888 (I only play on 888.) Do you ever suggest playing other sites as well?

I started with my meager $30 and have bought maybe 4 other cards and now it seems to fluctuate between $30 - $40... ooooOOooOo... big stakes.. LOL... But seriously, I find online play frustrating, because it always seems to be the worst and most disgusting poker players and poker hands that seem to always get paid out for their efforts.

I will keep a journal as you suggested, today being the start of the week, I will absolutely start as of today.

I tried to play ring online a few times and I just didn't enjoy it and then tried the casino last night and had my ass handed to me! It was ugly..
The whole time I kept applying tournament play to cash play and I could definately see that was a huge mistake.
I must confess I just did not enjoy it at all.
Am I right in assuming there is more thinking involved in tournament play? Eg: Strategy, stack management, etc

Where as cash play seems to be more about living hand to hand? (eg: this has a connector, I shall play it, even if the bloke to the left of me raised it by $10)?

I augmented these skills with more knowledge from studying the game through others eyes.

Not sure I understand what you mean through studying the game through others eyes.

Question 2
I took everything you said in.
it does lead me to ask another question.

Even if you believe you are the best player at the table, does that mean you should not respect any other player there?

Eg: There are players that I know can outplay me any day of the week. Having said that, I am going to TRY and change that way of thinking and start trying to change it to, "I have as much right to be at this table as such and such and I am or could be just as good".. (this is going to take ALOT .. and I mean alot of training!! and I am sure I am not alone with that).

Personally one of my concerns is I don't ever want to be one of those tools that sits there and is basically the joke of everyone in the room, thinking I am something I truly am not. How did anyone find that line?

Which basically leads me to wonder is it worth being noticed as one of the best, or should you be one of those that is unnoticed and unrated by other players around you?

Question 3

HA - I call this emotional and mental quicksand.

Your so right, that is exactly what happened with my game last night and to a degree every other game I have played.
I second guessed every decision I had made all night, or second guessed everything I thought I knew after just one hand.

How do you turn off the need to know what was folded? That is my other issue. I hate not knowing what I lost to and then to a degree it is what compels me to most times show why some fold to my bets. (Always a big mistake, I agree).

My other issue is if I get up and walk around and miss a heap of hands, what am I missing? What if I missed my chance to turn the game around to my advantage?
Are there tools I can use to stop this way of thinking?

Question 4
I think you know how much I love poker Garth and how much I want to get from it, the rest of this post I think I will send privately if that is ok, as you know most of everything about why I play.

As for the rest in regards to writing things down, I will absolutely start as of tonight, it is something I used to do, but kinda thought I was wasting time, but I now know it isn't.

I have got my ticket into the Grand Final and am beyond excited to finally get the chance to play in this.

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed the State finals so much was I felt so much more relaxed playing it.. (Should I become a stoner??? Hahahahaa - just kidding) But the entire game I actually just felt so free and the whole thing was uncomplicated and fun.. Maybe cutting down this season has helped (as suggested by yourself at one point).

I hope I have answered most of your questions here, and to be truthful Cazz, every poker player asks themselves these questions at some time or the other and they do doubt themselves at some time.

What you have here is about stage 2.5 of what I do with the players I coach. I make them do this and if you are serious about poker it is a very serious step in improving your game.

You definately have Garth, this is absolutely helpful and I noticed others are also benefiting as well which is great!!

In answer to your other comments - it is awesome to hear that other players do questions themselves as well. I hoped I was not alone and for some reason it never seems to be something players openly discuss sitting around the table.

I know I will be back with further questions.. LOL

[Nevah play JJ]

benny the cunt, I am writing a reply and follow up questions for you also...
Thankyou so much for what you posted, it is absolutely amazing and so helpful..

[Nevah play JJ]

Garth and Ben seem to have covered everything

Still very interested in what you had to say AK..
Sincerely

[madali]

Never play JJ yes alot of player do doubt themselves but will never admitted. I am constantly reassessing my play and trying to improve. I like cash games but as you say they are completely different to tournament play. With cash games I tighten right up with my starting hands and play super aggressive when I do get involved with a hand. If you have good bankroll management and keep within your limits they can be quite good. As the players remain the same on the table for quite some time don't be afraid to sit back and observe what others are doing and get a feel for the table. Sure you may loose a couple of blinds this way but it allows you to make a more informed decision when you do play. And unlike tournament play you can afford to do this as it is not as important to steadily build a stack. Also if your budget allows sit down with the table limit for example on a $2/ $3 table at crown this is $200. By doing this you don't get bullied as much by the other players.
As for tournament play and respecting other people at the table it is a good thing to respect others but I think the point that is being made is that you can still respect others while having faith in your own ability ( the respect I find easy the faith in my own ability is what I find hard). I know the correct moves and when to make them but I get to the table in a big game and start limping, calling and just playing bad. I should say that in my mind I playing bad it is probably not as bad as I think but definitely not good play and I know that. It is getting better and I am putting this down to experience.
Anyone who has further advice on this topic and the questions that were raised earlier would love to hear them because I really respect a lot of the posters on here and find there advice invaluable.

[bennymacca]

As for tournament play and respecting other people at the table it is a good thing to respect others but I think the point that is being made is that you can still respect others while having faith in your own ability

spot on the money gayle. its not about being a tool to the other players, its about being confident in your own ability