Badger: March Meekness

Well, I've been back in North America for a couple weeks, and have been playing online more frequently--to sadly very mixed results.

My low-stakes cash games are going well, but my tourneys (generally 1-table sit-n-gos) have been far less successful. In terms of making $, I should be sticking to the cash games, but I am a stubborn badger who genuinely loves the competitive elements of tourneys. Tourneys seem to be where my heart lies. But, alas (not yet) my talent.

In an effort to improve my tourney play, I have been spending some time with the FullTilt tourney guide. It is far better than I expected--on par with Harrington (and them's some big boots to fill). In a nutshell, gents like "Jesus" Ferguson and Howard Lederer focus a lot more on NOT limping into pots and disguising your play. This echoes advice that both Herr and D'bag have given me (especially about not limping into pots). I now realize that even in cash games, I have done a poor job at disguising the strength of my hands--both my starting hand and the extent to which the flop hit/missed me.

I have been playing this way for the last couple days--basically not allowing myself to limp in, unless someone has before me, as well as disguising my hands. I don't know if I fully agree with the no-limp rule (what if you have, say, A-4? J-10? I am not inclined to raise with these types of hands...but on the other hand, I am not thrilled about throwing them away).

Bottom line, I am learning to raise more--and to limp far less. Another leak in my (especially tourney) game is that I probably have not been aggressive enough with my mid-pocket pairs (say 6,6 through 10,10). Heads-up, these are great hands; and if I let too many callers in against them, I am doomed to defeat--except in the unlikely event (1:7.5) that I hit a set on the flop. So I am pushing these (pocket pairs) harder now. Deep down, I know that a 5-5 is favored against A-K...I just seem to have had trouble playing on that basis!

In the two weeks that I've been back, I have cycled between the low-$100s and the mid-$100s. A pretty meek range, but at least I am holding my own. The strange thing is that I have made a total (profit) of about $350 in my two brief appearances at the local casino. Granted, I had some cards. But this just gives me more cause to think I am a better cash player than tourney player.

Anyhoo, I am disappointed to report a meek balance of $113.03 (I should really go back to cash game and build it up).

On a brighter note, I am off to Vegas tomorrow. I anticipate playing a fair amount of low-stakes cash games (few, if any tourneys 'til I get my game in gear). Wish me luck--I probably need it!