Cracked It?

Watching an old video of mine from last October has really helped me to understand where my current problems lie.

I used to just throw money around everywhere, seemingly without thought or care but actually very conscious of when to give up. I insisted on the initiative always, but when a board ran out bad for bluffing, or faced with a cally opponent, I would easily shut down without thinking twice.

In addition, I made a big fold OOP on JT3ss with QJ-just bet folded it deep, no dramas whatsoever.

It's also very clear that my entire thought process used to be much better. In every hand, I was considering their range based on PF, timing tells, other PF factors etc.

At current, I'm like 1/3 of the way there. After my last session, I found I'd re-discovered how to make people fold and how to seize the initiative.

What I massively lacked, especially towards the end, were two things.

• Knowing when to give up- hello Dan this means in a 3bet pot on an Ace hi board when the fish snap calls turn and river.
• Playing well on the back foot- this is traditionally what I refer to as reverse equity spots. Those spots where you have a weak made hand, maybe TP2k, facing aggression with multiple 2 pair+set combos possible. These spots are simply not money making opportunities, and I should relish folding them and look forward to the next hand where I can get back onto the front foot.

So for this upcoming 200nl session I have some simple goals.

1. Be on the front foot as much as possible.
2. Know when to give up though- board bad, no equity picked up, villain is a station?
3. Be proud to make big folds when placed on the back foot. I'm not talking QQ on J73ss or anything like that, but maybe KJ on KTss deep.
4. Always thing through the opponent's range on each street, and my own perceived range.

Those are my 4 goals, and I'll be grading myself upon them after this 60 minute session.