Concentration is the key

Well, I hope you have all enjoyed the festivities and have seen the new year in resplendent fashion...
As I write this blog I have just flicked the television to be confronted by the utterly pointless Celebrity Big Brother. From the so called dulcet tones of Sisqo, to Ronnie Wood's ex Katia, now titled as a celebrity following her quickfire romance with the Stones' guitarist and then to a man from Sweden (who is favourite to win the show somehow) Jonas AKA Basshunter, who has today boasted that back in his teenage years of masturbating up to twenty-five times in one day! Wow! This is an education that will no doubt grip a nation.  Alex Reid (famous for being Jordan's lover) has been told that he could be the next James Bond by the extremely religious actor Stephen. He is offering words of inspiration and it is incapsulating. Actress Stephanie Beacham is also present in the house. This talented performer has covered a wide range of television, film and theatrical roles. She says that she has had a very exciting life with many tales to tell. Hmm.

Then she says she is in the process of doing her autobiography. Wonder why she is on the show?  I'm losing the will to write... sorry, I should be writing about poker - well, I have been distracted and sometimes this is a habit that can make you lose badly in the fierce world of online poker. So, the above was an example of me losing that insight and discipline needed at the poker table. Let me go on....

A couple of multi table tournaments have flown by due to lack of concentration. This is something that plighted me during my high school years, but be aware of one thing with me. I can sit and play poker for hours and maintain the very highest level of discipline and concentration. So much so that it could rival the illusionist and magician David Blaine. Suddenly sitting in a box mid-air by Waterloo's London eye seems easy... well, maybe not and i'm not quite that mad YET.

Sadly, though I had the television on and had the phone by my ear whilst chomping on some fruit and was running in and out of the kitchen making tea. This is not advised once you are close to getting paid. Infact, it is utterly senseless what I did. I came back and re-raised the biggest rock (tightest player) at the table with nothing. By doing this I had made myself pot-committed too. He instantly re-raised me all in pre-flop and I had to call with jack high. The other player had pocket kings. I didn't improve and bowed out just before the bubble (last place not to get paid!) . It was a senseless move from me and one that I regretted by having a stern word with myself whilst looking into the bathroom mirror. When you play for a long time without reward due to a moment of madness, well it is unforgiveable from a poker perspective. You may as well be the first out. At least it saves you a few hours!

I then played another tournament and slow played a pair of jacks. What i mean is that on the flop it came up two of clubs, five of clubs and a jack of diamonds. I had a set of jacks. However, I kept two opponents interested and made my bet sizes too small and then a club hit on the turn. So, now I am losing to a flush full of clubs. I knew this, but still called an all-in on the river (where I didn't improve) and therefore left the tournament. It was poor play from me and it sums up my start to 2010. I seem incapable of putting down any decent hands even though I know I must be behind. Am I worried about this trait? Well, yes, but everyone has blips and makes poor decisions from time to time. No-one can play flawless all the time. Not even the greats like Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and recent UK sensation James Akenhead. The lesson is to take a step back and analyse how you can improve, but you must accept that in some cases you can just be
 plain unlucky. It all happens to all of us. And in many other instances we can get lucky too. However, never give your opponents the correct odds to make their hand.
I love the game of texas holdem no limit for it's unpredictable nature and no two players are ever the same. Some play from the textbook and raise only with premium hands. Others simply raise from position regardless of the cards. And some play the opponent by studying the way they play at a table. Of course you need to harness all of these skills whether you play live or online...
However, just follow one basic instruction. Don't get too easily distracted and concentrate!!!