ITH Poker Forum

[Vestie]

I am relatively new to the game but have decided to take my game to a much higher level. Over the last 3-4 days I have participated in quite a few satellites providing entry into various ECOOP III stages. I was heads-up with the following hands (my hands pre-flop noted on left):
KK v 99.....lost to a 9 on river
AK v J10o.....lost to a straight draw
88 v AA.....flopped set but lost to A on the river
AA v 24s.....lost to flush
moreover I was 2 places from qualifying to the main event on those occasions.
Instead of focusing on what my opponents have and consequently what cards will hurt me perhaps a mentality shift is required? "Please no straight or 9" are my thoughts once my opponents cards are revealed and I have somehow managed to manifest the most undesirable outcome. Whats going on? Is it a case of mastering your mind?

Peter

[CJars]

wow. that would tilt me.

all you can think is that youre playing things right and keep going. these hands are supposed to play out in your favor for the most part. of course thinking specifically about what you dont want to see on the river isnt going to affect what gets turned over. but getting in the mindset that youre going to get screwed on the river is going to negatively affect your play. put these behind you and keep playing.

[Bynens]

KK is due losing 19% of the time against 99, if these are all hands PF AI you just can't do anything about it. That's poker!

About the mental shift, you might stop doubting your play if you haven't done anything wrong. Just get some pokerstove results and analyse how many times you will lose. In the end you'll know that the money WILL come to you.