Reflections of a busy day

Yesterday was a busy day for me. I had gotten up early to write my blog post entitled “Discipline at the tables – Part 2″.  While typing it, I played some of the “Double or Nothing” games that I have come to enjoy.  I was contemplating a full day ahead. There are household chores such as unpacking boxes and totes from our move last September from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. I was dropping off my wife, Diane, at our daughter-in-law, so they could go to a movie, while I went to the Seabrook Poker Room for some more live face to fact playing experience. And to wrap up the day, was the “Tweeter Poker Tour” TPT:Tilt Event # 7. In between that, I also decided to remove some of the ice in our driveway that had built up while we were in Florida two weeks ago.

I was well rested when I typed the blog. I was doing fine with the household chores. The ice chipping and ice removing was a little taxing. But I was exciting about the upcoming live game and tourney at 9 pm.

While I was at the Poker Room, I took notes on the first 30 hands that I was involved in. I was directly to the left of the dealer and he did not say anything about it and I had not thought to ask. The dealers change every 20 minutes and when the third dealer arrived he stated that note taking is not allowed – house rules. Oh well.

I was trying to play tighter than my previous visit, getting involved in premium hands only, such as AA, KK, AK, etc. I had starting with $40 in chips and worked my way down to $6, so I bought another $20 of chips.

On the very next hand I got an As Jc unsuited, but I was in position, so I called the blind. The Flop came A K Q of clubs giving me top pair and the nut flush draw as well as a chance for a royal flush draw.  The betting was heaving and I was all in with my remaining $26 in chips. The turn card was a 6 of hearts and the river card was the 10 of clubs. I had made my Royal Flush and won the pot, which gave me back $63, putting me ahead for the evening.

I ended up playing one more hand and leaving with $61, or ahead $1. This was an improvement over the last time as I had left with a loss of $4.

Diane came back from the movies and we drove back from the Poker Room to our home. I would be able to make it in time for the #TPT event.

I thought I played tightly during the event. I did not read blogs or play side games as I wanted my full concentration on the tourney at hand. I ended up busting out in 17th place, far worse than the previous week. While watching the final table, I played an online small stakes cash game of No Limit. I played until I had lost my $5 buy-in and went to bed while there were still five players left at the TPT.

Revelation: From the time I had hit the Casino on, I was actually a bit tired and did not realize how that had affected my decisions. It was not until this morning that I had realized that I was playing tired, which for me is a recipe for disaster or at least poor play. I recalled some of the hands that I played at the Poker Room, the tourney, and the cash games and knew that I had made bad decisions. I was playing my “C” game.

Chalk up yesterday as a lesson learned.