Why are some people not aware of their own image?
Monday, February 2, 2009 - Shawn Rice
As I write this I just finished up playing a couple of the UB bigger tourneys and some PLO cheaper cash games for most of the day from around noon til after midnight Texas time. I did final table the 15k guaranteed 30 rebuy that gets close to 20k in buyin and is a super tourney because after the double rebuy period you are guaranteed a nice stack going into when the real poker starts and the blinds kick in. I cash for about $900 and while I was playing I had a couple of guys over my shoulder asking me tons of questions as to why I bet in certain situations and decided to not see flops with a certain range of cards. It really helped me stay on my toes because I had to justify my playing behavior.
One key hand stands out when the blinds were 500/1000 with antes and the button pushed all in for 20 times the big blind and on the two previous occasions when it folded to him I push over the top with hands I am suppose to make that move with, Now when it folded to him he just open shoves for 20x and I am in the small blind with Ah. I think about it for a little while and I decide to get my chips in here because I know that must be a frustration raise and I even told the two watching me he is sick of me and might push all in, and if he does I will call his ass. I called the big blind folded and if I lost I would have been left with only 7k in chips and the button. I have been in much worse spots than that, but I am trying to get my chips in good and make the top 3 spots where over half the money is being paid. I call he flips over 7 2, no joke! 7 2. Nothing on the flop for either of us and the turn is a freaking 7h and the last card is the Kh giving me runner runner flush and the pot.
Why are some people not aware of their own image? I was just lucky that the big blind didn’t wake up with a hand because I figured there was no chance the player on the button had a hand he really liked. Who says there is no reading in online poker? These top online players who get there often are pretty skillful and great to watch. Find a top online player who plays your style and try and see what works for them.
I have been away a bit since the UBOC3 tourneys as I played every one of them every day and as I write this I am getting over being sick and bed-ridden for the last several days. I feel better and thanks for many of your calls. I have some friends that are going through some really tough times. I myself just had a grandmother that had a heart attack in Oklahoma and she is 85 and doing really well now. Bless her heart.
It makes me just sit back and think about how damn lucky we are to have the loved ones in our life and what it means to us deep down. I am Thankful for all my friends, my UB family and my family at home. I feel like I am free rolling for life. I am very blessed and the ups and downs of poker seem very small in the overall picture.
Ever notice that the top poker players in the world wouldn’t let the bad beats destroy their game? They roll with the punches and move on and see what just happened and how it affects the take and how they can exploit it to their benefit. Even the Poker Brat himself screams and hollers but it never EVER tilts his play, He is a world class pro and that’s part of the reason why.
Speaking of educating yourself, I just got a really interesting email I want to share with you all. I really believe education is the key to life and is the road to success. Check out www.decisioneducation.org . It’s a Celebrity Poker Tournament FUNdraiser that benefits the DEF Teacher Scholarship Fund.
I know my blogs are always kinda long and I am sorry but I love to talk poker and help others in their game it’s very rewarding in many ways.
Good Luck to all the UBers.
Proud UB Team Member
Shawn Rice
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Tags: big blind, Online Poker, small blind, UBOC
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Don’t apologize for your long posts… I totally love and respect that you UB pros are putting yourself out front like that. Keep them coming!
April 29th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
yes i finally find a post that i like and respect!
i too have been coolerred and had 210 tounreys stra8 with bad beats or ruunner runner against me ,or i get ak someone is holding aq or aj and they hit thier queen or jack,
sometimes its what you get dealt that counts not how you play your hand,..these poker sites probably have a way of manipulating or coordinating your hand for you as im sure ive been like a 75% favourite most times pre flop,post flop and then lost,to what seems very odd behavioural card dealing..
Im not going to harp on about my game,i was just wanting to say how nice a post you have just written shaun and thanks for giving me a bit of confidence in not giving up ,..
you know if it wasnt for the fact Ive complained to the commission so much and about my hand history files there wouldnt be a problem,…but you seem to accept the fact that this kinda thing does happen,..
best off for me is playing live poker ill have to admit though ,I hold a quite amicable record in making final tables each and every week in my home games and try to teach other players how they can improve thier game as well,.
the other day I was posed this question:
guy A was holding AK in mid pos
guy b was holding 88 on the button.
guy b folds his hand and i said why you fold your hand ,?
i mean this was the final table ,blinds were soon to go up,you had position and thats prob the best hand ure gonna see in a while,…
3 people piped up and said hold on AAron ,what if he folded because he wanted play in another spot ie wait another few more/??
whilst I can understand some logic here I dont fully agree!
I play to win even though your a 2% favourite,with the 88s
i think I would have definately shoved in position with those two cards ,..however a few players would have done differently which makes my theoros that simpler…
If your playing to win you have to gamble and be prepared to lose,..If your going to wait and wait for larger hands then what in effect you are really doing is sacrificing your chips at a rate where you are forced to push when your low on chips,…
so i beg the question ,and all depends on your position as well,if you get a good pair and you are good play it,play your instincts and from table form…
not sure if this makes any sense but im being honest and I play to win…