Melbourne Poker Trip Report

Melbourne is beautiful. I will do a review of Melbourne and the poker room later. But about my poker trip. Bottom line, I lost. I did not achieve what I set out to do. I had a 50% winning rate only and end up having a losing trip. However all is not lost if I have learned something.

1. Preparation is important:

The preparation for the game is just as important if not more important as the game. There were a few sessions I felt I was not at 100%. Maybe I was too eager to play and try to make money for my stakers I failed to recognise that I needed rest more than play. Plenty of rest, water and the correct type of food is key. One session I had a big steak dinner and felt good to play. But when the food kicked in I could feel myself drowsy. I didn't play badly but I reacted badly to a bad beat when my Kings lost to 98s. I couldn't control my tilt the way I normally do.

2. Know your limits:

I played 2 sessions a day. I noticed that I would win my first session, then I would lose my second. It is no coincidence to me now that the first session I would go there after a night's sleep and the second is without a nap and usually after dinner. I think I need to stick to one long session a day after enough rest and proper preparation.

3. Tight Aggressive is the way to go:

Most pros I saw on the tables played tight aggressive. I want to play tight aggressive too but I only had a week in Melbourne so I guess I thought I wanted to play more hands and widen my range. I hit many flops but often get drawn out because of the strength of my starting hands. Tighten up, use position, good music or something to pass the time helps. Wait for good spots.

4. Sometimes you don't need to protect your big hands:

One time I had AK and flop was Kxx 2 hearts. Villain bets, I called. Turn was a blank. He checked. I thought this time was a great time to bet out the flush draw but I checked back.

a) He has a flush draw and he has a 20% chance of hitting. I lose but lose a smaller pot.
b) He does not have a flush draw and has a 12% chance of hitting his kicker or making trips.
c) He does have top pair and I can rep a busted flush draw on the river

River was another blank. He checked to me and I bet pot size. I got called I guess pretty thinly judging by his tank. So I think I maxed valued my top pair.

5. C betting sizing:

I used to C bet dry flops hard and avoid c betting wet boards knowing I will be called. But I realised this is the opposite of what I should be doing. Dry flops mean that others hitting it hard is unlikely therefore a small bet should take it down. Wet flops bet big, because draws will unlikely reraise a big bet to semibluff and when draws call they are usually behind. Only a monster can reraise and you can easily fold.