The Math

I've been really trying to grind the math out and get an even better understanding of how it works within the game. I'm truly amazed by how some of the probabilities work out in the long run. Fox did a hand analysis chat a few weeks ago and it opened my eyes to a whole dimension of the game that I was missing. Thanks Fox!! I've also been working within a study group that has it's own "math genius" and his input(CPOner) has also enlightened me to a whole new level of thinking. It's actually dumbfounding how well 97o will do against a lot of ranges. Plus, the Sheets lecture series are actually starting to make sense. That, in it's own right, is an incredibly big step towards my improvement within the game.

The study group that I'm currently working with has brought a huge ray of sunshine. It's an older bunch that have as much passion for the game as I do. There isn't any whining or crying about differences of opinion, so it opens the whole gambit of learning. We've actually started with a review of one of my 180man tourneys. We've had three separate sessions of review(about 6 hours) and still haven't finished. We're about half way through the final table play. I really can't wait to finish this one and get into the next. I've also just been introduced to another group this week. It's a younger group with another approach to ideas. We did an impromptu review session yesterday evening that also went well. I think if I can coax a little bit more involvement from them, it'll also turn into another fantastic learning circle.

I have decided to split my games up by site for the time being. I'll play sngs at Cake, mtts at PS, and I'm wanting to learn limit cash play at FTP. I'm currently looking at reactivating my account at Bodog also but that has future written all over it. I believe this is the correct approach since the play styles at the different sites vary so much. By specializing, I can take in the active style of one site and use it specifically for an event/game. That way the differences don't effect my game as a whole and keeps me focused a bit more. Really just an experiment until I get bankrolls built up at all the sites.

Sort of as a quick review of January, I've pretty much stuck to the $4.40 180man sngs at PS. things are going fairly well. Since the study group became truly active, my play has taken a turn for the better and the results are starting to show. Since the 11th, I've played 50 games with an ITM of 18% and an ROI of 76.4%. I started the 180 thing with around $200 and it is now around the $340 mark in the first month. I am pretty confident that it will be getting better very quickly.

One other thing of note. By spending so much time studying the math, the beats are have much less of an effect on my play. Tilting in a negative way is gradually disappearing as well as the positive side of it. Everything is starting to become a constant review of correct choices as opposed to a win/loss sequence of emotional reactions. I'm really enjoying this form of reaction much more. There is still the thrill of making the final table, I just feel like I'm in much greater control of myself when I get there. The force is strong with you, young paddiwan!! Hehe.

Well, got more work to do. Hopefully that never ends, for it is the student of the game that succeeds. Good luck everyone!! Til next time....