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Psycological issues in moving up
OK looking for some quick advice
I have a major issue which is effecting several aspects of my game. And its became purely psycological.
I've managed to remove almost every other blocker. I'm crushing games im playing. Both cash and mtt, and have been for a while now when playing. However every time I've moved up i've ran awful. That part is variance whatever move on i get that.
However its almost became a monkey on my back.
Recently i sold some stake to higher stake game mtts. At the level i currently play i have a 54% ROI over a reasonable sample. Thats higher than some of the best mtt players on the site at that specific buy in and format. However when i moved up, and part of it was due to variance but it was clear it was a mental block which was also clearly effecting how it play.
The same issues seem to appear when I'm playing cash. Last time i took a shot i done a -10 buy in session, i didnt run great but i defo could have lost less. That meant i had to move back down and rebuild.
Im almost at a br level where i can move up again, and this psycological stuff worries me, and would like some basic friendly advice.
Comments
load up games of lower and higher stakes, but cover/hide the bar at the top and bottom that tells you the buy in.
Won't know whar srakes your playing, just play good poker.
Why not just stay at the levels you "crush" at, but play more at those Levels?
I've never quite understood why the Holy Grail is to play bigger stakes as soon as we can beat a level. Human nature means we tend to try & rise to our level of incompetence.
I'd just stay where you are, play more volume, more tables, & win more that way. The game is far, far, tougher at the higher levels, & you will be swimming in a pond that is filled with extremely good players.
The players in poker I most respect & admire, are those who find their level of competence, stick to it, & survive in the game year after year. There are not many, mind, as everyone aspires to play bigger stakes, where the game is so much tougher. Small & profitable (& enjoyable) beats big & painful all day.
If you feel its the money involved then get an even bigger roll before you move up. Maybe you could add in one higher value MTT at a time and gradually step up.
i notice alot of difference on here if u play a £1.10 - £3.30 mtt to when u play a £11 £22 mtt stick to what ya know
But for those further down the chain, taking shots at higher levels seems a fairly sensible thing to do - both from a money making point of view (because if it turns out you can beat the higher level, happy days) and from trying to better yourself / take on more of a challenge. There's a definite difference in how much thought you have to put into the game from NL4 through to NL20 and I'm sure that becomes more fun and involved as you go even higher (if I ever have the roll to try the next levels up).
I'm not sure that just adding tables really changes your game that much (albeit maybe highlighting some of the things you aren't good enough to do on autopilot) and, even more so with the latest software, there is a ceiling of how many you can run before your computer can't cope and the game becomes unplayable.
In response to OP - I'd suggest that bankroll may be key, the bigger the buffer, the less you'll be influenced by trying to survive in tournaments (to min cash and avoid a big hit to the roll) vs playing your normal game and going for the win.
There may also be something about finding ways to improve your focus on the game / oppos. If you have spent a large amount of time at lower limits, you could well be slipping into autopilot to some extent, using plays that beat the majority in low stakes, but need more care and attention as you play more skilled opponents.
I have the same head-issue at the moment when trying to step up in cash so will follow the thread with interest. Good luck with the shot taking Don!
Adding more tables at stakes you already beat actually has an adverse effect on your ability imo. It may earn you more £ in the short term but will not help you move up and improve.
My advice would be to add a couple of tables at next limit up. So if you normally play 6 at your current level try 4 and 2 to start with.
And a big +1 to having a bigger BR.
I'm exactly the same as you when it comes to playing higher/ bigger games.
The standard is better, but not massively. A lot of regs will play the same levels, 10nl and 20nl.
Good idea to try 3/4 tabling, or a couple less tables than you would normally play.
Spend some time getting an idea of how people play, loose/ tight players.
Also a good idea to check what tables people are playing to check out if they are regs or 1 tabling. When you move up, you will know some of the players, but there will prob be many more regs you have not come across before.
Buying direct into the £33 and £55 games direct can ruin your bankroll, trust me I know!
I agree with the bolded bit. I think for most MTT players the value isn't as much in grinding one site to death but having a main site and then cherry picking other good value MTTs from other sites. This will give you issues with spreading £ around sites but you can slowly add in sites.
Again, I will go back to my first comment I made in this thread....man up! All poker is full of emotion, the best hand wont always win (especially if your in a hand v me). Accept that fact and make sure your making the right plays irrespective of the results, this can mean we can review hands and accept we won but played a hand bad.Working out your most profitable level MTT wise is actually quite an interesting discussion. I think a lot of players try and play above their most optimum level and in doing so lose a lot of value. It is very easy to look at whats ftw and let that cloud your judgement. I guess once you get a decent sample size you can work out what is best but to get that sample size you can have lost a load of value in the meantime. MTTs are about getting top 3 finishes so your best playing the games that give you the most top 3 finishes.
I'm really quite surprised so many folks think Don should move up the levels.
Did you not read his previous Diaries? It always seemed to end in pain. I read every page, every day, & ached for him.
Don described himself as having "the mental strength of a cabbage", so that's why I truly believe that if he is genuinely winning now ("crushing"), then that must be fun, very satisfying. Why forsake that for the near inevitable stress & angst if things go wrong at higher levels? The higher the levels, the more the stress.....
I have no idea how much "crushing" means in monetary terms, but lets call it, say, £50 per week. That's £2,500 in 12 months, well on the way to a Vegas trip. Surely that must appeal? £25, £50, £100 a week soon adds up, dripping taps soon fill baths & all that.
But instead of that steady success, we want him to move up to where the game gets a lot tougher.
Is that REALLY wise? Would you tell your Son to do that?
I'm not trying to be Mr Wet Blanket, I genuinely want him to succeeed, as in enjoy his poker.
I still think he'd be better doubling his volume at the levels he "crushes".
Anyway, good luck Don, I hope you choose the right paty, & get the lot, I really do, & I shall read the diary every day. I used to sort of steel myself to open your Diaries, as you really seemed to be hurting so many times, & it was often a painful read if you really care about folks.
Good luck Don, truly.
are you playing for fun still at the higher levels or are you more serious?
are you not having fun where you are now?
if you aren't, do a table at the higher level and see if you enjoy it more
I've thought long and hard about moving up from the lowest stakes but, as I play for fun mostly and am profitable, I haven't bothered. I'm not thinking of making a career out of it. I have one and a young family. Poker is just one part of my life. I have enough stress from the rest!!
I also followed your previous diaries willing you on as I, like everyone else, will continue to do so if you start another one.
good luck with your decision.
David
if I could put the time in I'd want to move up also
enjoyment is the key