How do you stay sooooo patient?

I get asked this question quite often. “CIII, how are you able to be sooooooo patient at the table?” Well, if nothing else I have always been a good student and poker can be one heck of a teacher if you allow it to be. By nature my personality is one of tolerance and patience unless someone is just being stupid. On the other hand the athletic side of me tends to be almost overly aggressive. So, when I first started playing poker I tended to not want to fold hands when I was beat or was only a slight favorite. The first 2 years I played the game I barely broke even and rarely made final tables. However, when I did get there I took down some nice wins. That was when I was on Party Poker. I won tourneys for $1640 and $1040 there. So, although I still had A LOT to learn. I was getting there slowly but surely.

Over time I have read a number of books on poker and various theories from all kinds of authors from Doyle Brunson to David Sklansky. All have valid points but no book I have read on Tournament Texas Hold’em has been better than Dan Harringtons 3 book series. As I have mentioned before he gives you extremely important information on how to “manage” your tournament and your stack. You may then take that knowledge and incorporate your “game” based on your personal style of play and your tables aggressiveness or lack thereof. My wife will tell you that I am a “student of the game” and watch and study as much poker as time allows. That is the reason I make so many Final Tables. Also, I adjust to my table and play accordingly. If my table is passive I limp A LOT with suited connectors and small pairs from any position early in tournaments to build my stack when the flop hits me good. I even raise with these kinds of hands as well. If the table is aggressive I tend to tighten up and play pretty solid poker.

The strength in my game is that I WILL fold when I am beat. Usually, I have a pretty good feel for when I am being bluffed at and can respond accordingly especially if I have position on the bluffer. Obviously, I do this a bit better playing live but you get to know what people are capable of and go with your instinct. Usually, your instincts are correct. Other than that you need to continue to PLAY the game and understand what each player is trying to do to you. Take notes on players. God knows I do. Know what certain guys are capable of. Does he slow play big hands? Does he push with middle pairs? Things like that are HUGE. Remember, when your playing for REAL money every night against the same pool of players EVERYONE has tendencies. It’s your job to learn them and exploit them accordingly. That’s how I do it. Along with a bit of luck of course. Not rocket science but it sure is a lot of fun to see your game grow. Your bankroll too!

Deuces,

CIII

“…the only game I know is DO or DIE!”