Online SitnGo Poker Strategy.info

Article Review: The Unpredictable Successful Sit 'n' Go Tournament Player

Hi!  The common poker term switching gears has a much deeper and broader meaning than many players think.  Generally, switching gears is thought of as a response.  

For example, if you are playing too tight in a sit n go, then your stack will get short.  So, you switch gears from playing too tight to playing looser.  In this sense, switching gears is a tactical adjustment.

Another example, is when you play an opposite style - looser or tighter - against a particular opponent, or against a particular table texture.  These examples are all tactical playing style adjustments.

And, then there is the matter of strategic playing style adjustment - taking switching gears to the next level.

Strategic playing style adjustment is a playing style all its own.  It is the style of unpredictability - of doing the least expected, and the unexpected. 

Unpredictability is a virtual state of switching gears, all with the purpose of creating surprise and confusion among your opponents.  It is the ultimate weapon of deception.

Playing unpredictably is a double threat.  First, your opponents cannot get a read on you.  And second, they will thus fear you.  Both of which are huge poker advantages.

Read my article, The Unpredictable Successful Sit 'n' Go Tournament Player, for more thoughts on becoming unpredictable.

Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

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Article Review: Leakage, Sit 'n' Go Tournament Style

Hi!  Does your bucket have a hole in it?  I mean, to put it as delicately as I can, are you a sit n go loser?

Well, if you are a loser, there are probably many reasons.  One of which might be your overall attitude about a tournament.

You see, some folks do not take each tournament serious enough.  They tend to treat them as if some were just throw aways.

In other words, they do not attack each sit n go as if their life depended on the outcome.  They will play when they are sick, or tired, or distracted, or whatever.

The reason for this apparent carelessness is the ready availability of on-line sit n go tournaments.  You can enter a tournament on a whim, 24/7.  Without any mental prep, you can walk from a fight with your spouse in one room into a sit n go in another.

Of course, you will lose this particular sit n go.  And, over the long haul, you will lose a bunch more for similar reasons.  This is tournament leakage - tournament loss that easily could have been prevented.

The purpose of my article, Leakage, Sit 'n' Go Tournament Style, is to raise your awareness of this preventable form of poker leakage.

Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

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Article Review: How a Poker Player Can Perform in the Zone

Hi!  In sports, we call it performing in the zone.  In poker, it is known as playing your 'A' game.  So, what is it - some mystical trance beyond the reach of most of us?

Well, it is not mystical, and it is within our reach.  It is basically the result of focused concentration.  Does that sound redundant - focused concentration?  You might be wondering, "isn't concentration focused?"  Or, isn't focus and concentration the same thing?

Without getting into hair splitting, the idea is that when we achieve a high state of laser focused, uninterrupted concentration, we are then capable of our best performance.  Whether the performance is mental and physical, as in sports; or, purely mental, as in poker.

When we play our mental game of poker, we should want our minds and the environment to be conducive to our achieving a state of focused concentration.  So, before we sit down to play, we should take inventory of ourselves and our surroundings to assure that we are not, and will not become, so distracted that we cannot play our best.

My article, How a Poker Player Can Perform in the Zone, was written with that goal in mind - of providing reminders and methods to help us find and keep our 'A' game.

The importance of concentration is the same across all competitive sports - mental or physical. 

Just because we poker players can lean back in a comfortable chair while we play, does not mean that concentration is any less important to our success than it is to a Major League baseball pitcher.  The mental efforts of both are one and the same - focused concentration on the play at hand.

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If you would like to know more about the nature of competitive concentration, go to my site, Poker Book Reviews.info, and have a look at any of the books in the Competitive Thinking Books section.  A particulary good one is Your Performing Edge by JoAnn Dahlkoetter, Ph.D..

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Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

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Article Review: The Strategy and Statistics of a Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament Winner

Hi!  Are you short on time?  Then, definitely do not read my latest poker article, The Strategy and Statistics of a Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament Winner.  I am serious.  It is 3,759 words long.  You might miss your poker tournament.

On the other hand, if you are a loser, maybe you should miss your tournament.  Maybe, you should spend a little of your time reading my article.  Because, it ain't boring.

 

In fact, it is the most valuable poker article you will ever read!

 

Have you been having trouble figuring out how to beat the sit n go tournaments?  Then, fret no more.  The entire winning sit n go code, the deepest and darkest of secrets, everything you need to know, is totally exposed.  Seriously.

So, what are you waiting for?  Start reading my article, now!

 

Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

Article Review: Understanding Luck in Poker

What!  You don't think you are lucky?  Friend, you and I are two of the luckiest people in the world.

First of all, we won the toughest contest we humans ever have to face.  And, it was against a field of millions.  We won, and every one of the rest of those little guys lost, permanently.

Then, not only did we get born, but we are still alive.  As a good friend of mine is fond of saying, "Every day I wake up above ground is a good day." 

So, what is the problem?  A little run of bad cards got you down?  Read Christopher Reeve's book, Nothing Is Impossible.  Now, there is a real hard luck story.  Reeve's heartbreaking experience should help put our rather meaningless poker concerns into proper perspective.

Then, read my article, Understanding Luck in Poker.  Luck is an intrinsic part of the game.  Luck was intentionally built into the game.  If it were not for luck, there would be no fish.  They would have given up a long time ago. 

Over the long term, skill will trump luck.  You will have about as much good as bad luck.  So, it is skill, not good or bad luck, that will make the difference between winning and losing. 

But, because of our selective memories, we always tend to forget our good luck.  And, remember only the bad. 

So, don't worry.  Be happy.  The fish are biting.  And, we have just been dealt a brand new hand.

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To get a really good understanding of this subject, read the books in the Luck, Chance & Probability Books section at Poker Book Reviews.info.

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Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

Article Review: Making Informed Decisions in a Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament

Hi!  Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Playing in a sit n go poker tournament is hard work - a real strain on your brain.    

Most of the time, these little tournaments are just too darn serious.  Just too darn many things to think about.  And, just too darn much money at stake.

Many years ago, I would play poker for days just for fun.  Sure, I was determined to win, and losing hurt. But, mainly playing poker was just pure fun.  Maybe, that is why some players get into a slump - the fun becomes work.

If playing poker is fun for you, then good for you.  It is a game, after all.  And, should be fun.

But, the reality is that these little games can eat up a big bankroll real fast.  When that is happening, it is hard to enjoy yourself.

So, one sure way to put fun back into poker is to start winning.  You will hardly ever see a sad winner.  And, a sure path to winning in poker is to make informed good decisions.   

Making good decisions is at the heart of winning poker play.  Making consistently good decisions practically guarantees you of becoming a long term winner.

In my article, Making Informed Decisions in a Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament, I outline an effective decision making process for a sit n go tournament.  I think you will find it to be very helpful. 

And, hopefully help put some fun (winning) back into your poker.

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Doyle Brunson has been having fun playing poker for way over fifty years.  You can read some of his most fun memories in his book My 50 Most Memorable Hands.

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Whether you play ring games or tournaments, there is one absolutely certain way to make better poker decisions - PokerEDGE tracking software.  

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Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

Article Review: Twelve Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament Bubble Tells

Hi!  You have probably heard this one before, I sure have - "I don't think on-line poker is real because I can't see the other players."  Or, this one - "I don't like on-line poker because I can't get a read on real players."

I just mark those kind of comments up as the excuses of a loser.  You and I both know that there are plenty of tells in on-line poker. 

When you also include the tells provided by poker tracking software, there are actually dozens more tells in on-line poker than in live poker.

In fact, there are so many on-line poker tells, I have even written two articles on the subject.  You can read both at my site - Online SitnGo Poker Strategy.info.  Look for Twelve On-Line Sit 'n' Go Poker Tells and Twelve Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament Bubble Tells.

Both articles provide lots of very helpful information, especially if you play in sit n go poker tournaments.  One article, the subject of this post, identifies twelve tells to look for when you are playing on the bubble.

Bubble tells, you ask?  You bet.  Afterall, the bubble is the most important stage of a sit n go poker tournament.  So, why not utilize every advantage?  And, I provide some unique advantages that you will not find anywhere else.

There are also several books written on the subject of poker tells.  And, there are several books about on-line poker that include chapters about on-line poker tells.  You can find my reviews of all of them at my site - Poker Book Reviews.info.  Look for the Poker Online Books and the Poker Tells Books sections.

 

So, come take a look at my articles.  You will really be glad you did. 

Then, visit all of my poker sites for tons of winning information.  And, I even have a private membership site.

Thanks and Good Luck

R. Steve McCollum

PokerEDGE Player Types and Player Icons

Hi!  If you are a PokerEDGE software user, the following chart of player type and player icon information should be very useful.

You can find more winning sit n go strategy articles at my site - Online SitnGo Poker Strategy.info.

Come take a look, you will be very glad you did. 

 

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Hi!  Following are the nine player type designations used by the player tracking software, PokerEDGE. 

These player types are identified by table overlay icons that are displayed while you play.  The player types are determined by their pre-flop and post-flop style of play. 

Found at the bottom of this poker food chain is the GreenFish, pre-flop passive and post-flop passive.  While the Shark, of course, is found at the top, pre-flop tight-aggressive and post-flop aggressive.  The list is arranged somewhat in this food chain order.

These are the player type designations that will be used in the following pages that compare winners with winners, and contrast losers with winners.

As you will discover, winners can come from some of the most unlikely looking of player types.  But, the redeeming characteristic in every case is the presence of aggression - either pre-flop, or post-flop, or both.  Furthermore, when aggression is absent, both pre-flop and post-flop, there you will find a bonafide loser. 

So, in the list to follow, you can find winners in any of the top six player types.  But, rarely will you find a winner within any of the bottom three types.

The Icon Stat Rules are prescribed by PokerEDGE, and are applicable to a full-table game of no-limit hold'em.  The rules can be adjusted to suit your individual requirements.  The Descriptions are mine, and represent my observations in single-table sit n go tournaments.

 

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PokerEDGE Player Types:  (Pre-Flop Style/Post-Flop Style)

 

Winner -

1.  Shark                 (Tight-Aggressive/Aggressive)

Description:  Embodies what is proven to be the most profitable long term style of play.

Icon Stat Rule:  VP$IP <= 20.0%;  PF-Raise > 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr > 2.0%;  W$SD > 50.0%.

 

Frequent Winners -

2.  Bomb                 (Aggressive/Aggressive)

Description:  Plays a little too aggressive pre-flop, and thus makes himself vulnerable to tighter players.

Icon Stat Rule:  PF-Raise > 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr > 2.0%.

 

3.  Rock                   (Tight-Passive/Aggressive)

Description:  Plays too tight pre-flop, thus missing many opportunities to accumulate chips.

Icon Stat Rule:  VP$IP <+ 20.0%;  PF-Raise <= 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr > 2.0%.

 

Potential Winners -

4.  Maniac               (Extremely Loose-Aggressive/Aggressive)

Description:  An intimidating style to play against, but easy to trap.

Icon Stat Rule:  VP$IP > 45.0%;  PF-Raise > 12.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr > 2.5%.

 

5.  Caution Sign      (Passive/Aggressive)

Description:  Their pre-flop passivity followed by post-flop aggression, makes you think they were setting a trap, or connected hard with the flop.

Icon Stat Rule:  PF-Raise <= 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr > 2.0%.

 

6.  RedFish              (Aggressive/Passive)

Description:  If you can weather their pre-flop aggression, then you will likely win post-flop as they wither away.

Icon Stat Rule:  PF-Raise > 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr <= 2.0%.

 

Losers -

7.  Mouse                (Tight-Passive/Passive)

Description:  Playing against a mouse can sometimes be disconcerting, because often they will hold a big hand, but will have played it passively.

Icon Stat Rule:  VP$IP <= 20.0%;  PF-Raise <= 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr <= 1.5%.

 

8.  Calling Station   (Loose-Passive/Passive)

Description:  When you have a hand, this is the player to always target.  They are the proverbial poker ATM.

Icon Stat Rule:  VP$IP > 25%;  (FL-See)Aggr <= 1.2%;  (FL-See)SD-See > 30.0%.

 

9.  GreenFish          (Passive/Passive)

Description:  Basically, this is an inexperienced, fearful player.

Icon Stat Rule:  PF-Raise <= 6.0%;  (FL-See)Aggr <= 2.0%.

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Thanks and Good Luck

R. Steve McCollum

Copyright 2009

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SitnGo Poker Article Announcement

Hi Everyone! 

Just a quick note to announce my latest sit n go poker article - The Strategy and Statistics of a Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournament Winner.

This article delivers.  It is one of my best.  Finally, the code for sit n go winning has been cracked, and all the secrets revealed.  With this article, you will have a proven roadmap to sit n go success.  If you serious about improving your game, then read this article.

You will find this article at Online-SitnGo-Poker-Strategy.info.  Where you can read all of my sit n go and poker strategy articles.

These articles contain 1,000's of winning online sit n go and poker tips, tactics, secrets, statistics, and strategies.

Come take a look.  You will be glad you did.

Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum

Announcing: Online-Sitngo-Poker-Strategy.info

Hi Everyone! 

Just a quick note to announce my latest poker website - Online-SitnGo-Poker-Strategy.info.

This is where you can find all of my sit n go and poker strategy articles.  There are 48, and many more to come.  These articles contain 1,000's of winning online sit n go and poker tips, tactics, secrets and strategies.

Come take a look.  You will be glad you did.

Thanks and Good Luck!

R. Steve McCollum