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I'm having a real crisis of confidence at the moment.  I've been at least 10, maybe 15, live games without a cash now (a pretty bad run given the field sizes in Luton), and haven't had a single top three finish this year.  I'm also aware that my game has lost whatever spark it had.  In short, I feel like I'm playing far too cagey, and I just don't seem to be able to read players and situations the way I used to.  I'm always open to constructive criticism of how I play, and I know that I struggled before with pot control.  Perhaps as a result, or maybe due to just playing more fearlessly, I used to often be chip leader or thereabouts early doors in tournaments, but didn't always know when to put the brakes on.  That said, I had a lot more success than I have of late.  I think I've gone too far the other way now, and just feel like I'm grinding all the time and playing my cards rather than making the most of exploiting situations.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has found myself here.  What's the answer?  I really feel like I could do with some kind of coaching, but wouldn't know where to look - any recommendations?  I want my game back goddamit!

Variance....you are talking a tiny sample.

Either you ran hot before and are running to expectation now, or you were running to expectation before and are running bad now.

The only thing that's for sure is you can get better so stop worrying about the short term.

Constructive comments

- Speaking as a friend I feel that until this post you were quite closed to listening to advice/pointers from your peers. I also, frankly, don't think you had a particular strength as great reader of others/situations. I do think you've got game, gamble and talent but once people work you out ( and I am sure plenty did as you became a regular) you need more than unbridled aggression. So.....

- Be aware of your image more. Your image is that you are "at it", a legacy of a few months ago. At Luton you can let it come to you more rather than what I feel is currently happening which is you are over-playing and over-valuing your marginal/semi-bluff hands. Your image ensures you'll be called light so this tactic is backfiring. "Let it come to you" does not mean "nit up" merely you can focus on exploting others mistakes more than constantly having to make the action.

- I still feel you call the regular Luton player (usual outright fish apart) down too light.

i think you is just shit, not as shit as the sicilian, but shit.

no need to thank me.

Ask Tikay for some coaching as he seems to do well at Luton

Who is Tikay?

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=24888&g2_serialNumber=1)

The guy on the right

LOL more constructive criticism from Mr Lucbox himself who still cant fucking spell...

Pot meet kettle?

whatever you say about Vinny, he doesn't mince his words.  In essence, he's right though (about me, not you).  Need a good old overhaul.

What did I spell wrong?

Claire.. I've had exactly the same scenario but worse... 1 FT in 34 live events had me ready to pack it in especially after having a 1 in 3 ft over 3 years and 170 tourneys.. and as you know I've taken stick from all sides.. a lot from people who haven't even achieved close to the results i have  ....

confidence is a big factor and I'm sure it will come ... 15 tourneys is too small a sample as some pro's reckon they run 2 or 3 years without a decent cash in a tournament..tightys right in a way dancing at Luton is for special occasions as the average Luton player is a complete twat.. i mean look no further than Chompy for example.. good TAG positional play is probably best for Luton as you soon sniff out the K 5 o/s early limper brigade..

Take heart it will come and if not you can always admire Celtic from afar as he luckboxes 3 6 o/s on someone..

Sicilian.. u dopey Sweaty

Oh boy, here we go.

LOL u have too much time on your hands

36 off? It was 25 suited actually ffs.

I hear you, and that's what I've been trying to do over the last few months, but I've not been very good at:

a) recognising where my failings were/are and
b) putting advice I've received into practice - in fact I think I've mangled it.

I'm going to steer clear of Luton for a while, try playing a few other places and trying out a few things and see if I can 'find myself' in a poker sense.

Sicilian is spelt...

S I C I L I A N

Not the way Celtic spelt it...

S I C I L I A N

PS, dig in Claw, it will turn round, and remember the league never lies. If you really want coaching I'd recommend someone in the top half of the table.

Ffs dean, have another look at it.

I've gone 7 without cashing, longest run since started playing regularly in November, confidence is low (mainly due to a few donktiltsuckfestamentcashgames) , playing less to stay fresh for Vegas.

Even moaned at someone calling a weak preflop bet last week - this is when you know you gotta look yourself in the miirror and get the dancing shoes back on.

Think I've nitted up too much based on a few suckouts and so the clogs are back on for tonight and I fancy myself to TID :-)

good luck!

OMG - where did you find that, Craig?

This was deep in a Tourney, I was sitting out, as I still had 4 x BB's. Compo was not sitting out though - he was just out.

1) Play fewer hands.

2) Bluff less. It don't work at Luton.

3) Less gamble, more grind.

4) Don't listen to me.

But there is nothing to be assumed from a 15-game cash-less run.

Yer, this.

Read books and watch videooos. Even if you don't learn much/cover old ground, it helps sort things out in your head.

Also, stop wearing bras at live games, research shows this increases your ROI by about 15 percent.

Thank you, Flushy, for this tip.

have you seen my chest?  If I didn't wear a bra I wouldn't be able to find my cards ffs!

false. Just keep playing the exact same way, providing it is a +ev game.
sigh at live players dont cash for 10 tourns and they think something is a miss.

I would agree with you if that was the extent of it, but it's not.  Maybe I didn't make clear enough in my first post, but I have made a number of changes to how I play after taking on board advice from a number of different sources.  The result is a bit of a mismatched game that I'm not confident playing - the not cashing thing is concurrent.  It may be co-incidental, but I don't think so - I think it's more to do with the fact that I'm not playing my own game anymore and the resulting affect on my confidence at the tables.  Also, I'm sure I've probably not applied the advice in the correct way.  That's why I said I feel like I could use some coaching - I just don't think I can improve my game on my own, and books and the like just aren't for me.

You've not seen how often she bluffs!

hardly, if at all,  in the last 10-15 games!

sources?

other players, feedback on pha.

Interesting reading your posts Claire - main reason we play is for enjoyment right ? Winning from time to time keeps us in the game without sucking up other resources.

If you're not enjoying the type of game you're playing I'd rewind a bit back to a bit of bobbing & weaving - just pick the right players I guess

my advice would be to keep putting players on ranges of hands, due to action available. Make sure you know why you are a) opening  b) calling  c) raising/3b'ing and justify them.
you'll be fine.

That is such good advice put in very few words - kudos !

ultimately, yes, but that doesn't stop me wanting to improve my game and to be as good a player as I can.



good advice - thanks.  Things like this do get lost to me sometimes when I'm playing.  Much the same as Tighty alluded to in his post (which was also spot on in terms of me overvaluing marginal hands - I know that's been a problem in my last few games, mainly due to card-deadedness , playing few hands and finding myself getting married to the ones I do play when I hit a bit)

Hi Clare,

I know I only played against you for a matter of hours at the DTD £300 but I spotted a few things I think you could tweak.

I'm off out now and only just caught this but will post tomorrow!

lol - I played shockingly in that tournament.  I'd be amazed if it were just a few things!!!

 :)up

Celtic wished he had a big pair of charlies... oh hang on just seen his fine kebab chisled physique....

Can't go far wrong with this advice.^^^

I would always try get advice and thoughts from as many people as possible about anything your uncertain about. Or whether you think you should have done something different during a hand and why.

Don't worry about going 15 torns without a cash. Be confident and know your doing things for the right reasons and results will come.