Coming of Age

[Fonzi]

Coming of Age

I've found that my game has improved over the years, far beyond what practical table experience can account for. So I poured over old logs and diaries to try and figure out how I plugged so many holes in my game, when recently I had been playing radically LESS hours per month.

That's when I discovered I'm a cynical old man.

Or I should say, the main factor that has impacted my game is life experience. I used to be all about the numbers, and all about game theory. My ability to read an opponent was alright, but nothing to write home about. And I had a youthful optimism that made me think that if the numbers were with me, everything would be alright.

These days, I bitterly look at 60 / 40 situations and if I commit to them, I do so with a begrudging snarl or self depreciating smirk. There's no celebrations when I make the right call, and the results don't particularly matter to me, as long as I feel good about the thought process that took me to the ultimate end of my night.

Something else that helps nowadays: I don't particularly care about the money that I play with, nor do I need the money that I win. Unlike the old days, when the number of pots that I pulled down determined how well I ate, these days I literally have no pressure on the poker side of things. My reads are better, and my tells are all but gone.

I don't know if this article is really going to HELP anybody as such. I'm here to speak the truth about poker, and that's what I'm doing today. If you have it in you, and you're a young player, I suggest adding a little bit of cynicism to your game. Remove any optimism from your mind, because it only really helps after you've left the table.

Older players, make sure that you're playing within your comfort zone. Don't start playing outside of the limits of your bankroll. And use that life experience when you're at the table! You've seen hundreds of young punks try to BS people in your day. You use to BE one of those young punks! They can't beat you on a regular basis if you stay focused and leverage your experience.

I don't want to sound like I'm counselling people to be craggy and bitter out there. Rather, I want people to be circumspect. Every serious player needs to be able to think and see from several different points of view. And that's what I'm asking you to do. Whether or not you normally are mature, try to think mature.

Next month I turn 33, going on 60. But in poker terms, do you think I want to be more like the 'young guns of poker', or more like Chan and Doyle? I'll leave you with that thought.

Bill Ricardi ? Internet Gaming Guru