Stepping off the Gas

I've had a cold all week, and one area of my poker playing that I'm pleased with, is my discipline in not playing when mentally deficient in any way, and boy did this cold knock my brain sideways. Hence, I've played very little all week.

Especially after being on a bit of a heater recently, I'm keen to ensure I play at the top of my game. I played in a couple of sit n go's over the weekend, 20 cents, and a 10 cent step tournament and won them both continuing my winning streak, but I was unhappy with my play, in that the opposition were so weak, that I didn't feel like winning was any achievement, especially in the step tournament to the WSOP (0.10+2 buyin).  This isn't a brag, simply they folded to any raise, but called with a strong hand only.. makes things.. a little easy in terms of "reads".

I confirmed this by playing in the step 2 the following day and had a spectacular blowup, 4900 chip leader against 2100 2nd place, with only 6 players left. Badly timed aggression, stupid bluffs, and I busted out in 6th. Very very stupid and unnecessary when all I needed to do was get to 2nd to go up a step, and 3rd to stay at the same level.

Me and the missus had some drinks on Saturday and played some Pot Limit Omaha, which she roundly trounced me at after hitting an Ace high flush against my 8 high flush after running hearts post-flop. Omaha. Game of drawing to the nuts... not just any old flush.. my bad.

She went on to beat me at no limit hold'em, which I always feel I have the edge in, which didn't impress me. Fortunately the wine started to go to her head and I won 2 in a row to call the night a draw. We get far too competitive about these things, that we have to keep count.

(I'm up 14 to 6 on games so far.. I might even draw a graph).

I'm going to start studying up on Badugi, which looks like an interesting variation, and I like to keep myself well rounded. My weakest games are Seven Card Stud (High or Low), and 5 Card Draw, so I have a lot to really study up on. I like the idea of becoming a decent 8 game mix player, but this is far in the future with a lot of practice involved.

I'm a firm believer that mastering all the poker variations complement each other, and learning how to play each kind of game offers valuable skills in all other variations.

I'm still feeling a bit washed up, especially with my 30th birthday looming.... but thats for another day.