Fixing leaks online and irl

I played one of my worst hands in recent memory last night.
No-Limit Hold'em, $4.00 BB (6 handed) - Hold'em Manager Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com



Hero (BB) ($438.80)

UTG ($844.70)

MP ($1281.50)

CO ($406)

Button ($551)

SB ($561.40)



Preflop: Hero is BB with A, 5

4 folds, SB bets $10, Hero raises $32, SB calls $24



Flop: ($72) J, A, 6 (2 players)

SB checks, Hero bets $44, SB calls $44



Turn: ($160) 4 (2 players)

SB checks, Hero checks



River: ($160) Q (2 players)

SB bets $95, Hero raises $358.80 (All-In), SB calls $263.80



Total pot: $877.60



Results:

SB had J, Q (two pair, Queens and Jacks).

Hero had A, 5 (one pair, Aces).

Outcome: SB won $874.60


My riv shove is absolutely bar none horrible. I am repping only 2 possible hands, KT and QQ and there are very few combos of both. Also I should bet the turn. I was prob. a little frustrated in the fact that I was up $3500 right off the bat and slowly gave it all back, w/ this hand at the end of my downswing. I am guilty of tilting from time to time, although I tend to do so less often than most. Also, I have been thinking about certain hands where I lost more than I should have. I think within the past 3-4 days, I have lost at least $1000 when I should have known better, whether it was spewing or paying off when I was obv. beat. I beat myself up over those mistakes cuz those are the mistakes that I can control and try my best to not make the same mistakes in the future.

Tilting is prob. one of the biggest leaks for any poker player. I remember reading a 2+2 thread in the hsnl section and the topic was, "What is the single most important attribute to be a successful poker player" (or something of that nature). You have choices like hand reading skills, mathematical ability, etc. Most of the successful high stakes guys said mental approach to the game was the most important, and I tend to agree. This inc. self awareness and tilting (or ability to not tilt). If you can get a firm handle on your mental approach to poker, you are on the right path. Anyway, after going up $3500, I went on a $4500 downswing, but managed to gather myself before I went monkey crazy and ended up $1300 winner. Also, I have started to mix in a $5-10 table or 2, so I am slowly moving up stakes (I'll be raising Ivey and Antonius in no time :) )

In real life news, I went to see my doctor the other day and the news wasn't that great. Turns out I am prediabetic, as well as on the verge of having high cholesterol. It wasn't that much of a surprise to me though, w/ my lifestyle the past 10 yrs. Just sitting on your ass all day playing poker while not getting much physical activity will do that I guess. Also, living in Vegas, you're just surrounded by temptations everywhere, good and bad. There are numerous good restaurants and buffets around. Don't get me wrong though, my family and I love living in Vegas. We live in a great area relative to the Vegas strip...not too close, but not too far, and also in a very family oriented neighborhood (brag: also on a golf course). Snapshots of views from my home, starting w/ my setup..

From the 3rd floor..yes, the 3rd floor...

From the balcony, over my backyard..



















Master bathtub, overlooking hole #10 I believe, w/ our cat in the corner...



















Growing up I was very much into sports and still am a big sports fan (NO winning the SB was great, inc. monetary wise for me). As the years passed, and I started playing more poker, I ended up getting lazier and getting less and less inv. in any kind of physical activity. It's prob. one of the pitfalls of playing poker professionally. You don't have a set schedule and no one telling you what to do (unless you have a gf or wife) and you end up getting lackadaisical. That's why I advocate having a great balance in your life if you are pursuing poker fulltime..and by balance, I don't mean going out to party every other night. I mean stuff like exercising, finding a hobby or two (golfing, skiing, etc.), spending time w/ gf or spouse, etc.

W/ that said, I have made some changes to my lifestyle this year and have started exercising on a regular basis and recently have started to watch what I eat (believe me, that's very difficult...growing up w/ a sweet tooth and all). Not only is it great for my health and well being, but it will help my overall poker results. It'll give me a clearer mind more often, and energy while I grind, which will keep me sharp and motivated. Also I look for every opportunity to go skiing w/ friends or family, and I almost never turn down an opportunity to get on the golf course (although my game leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm working on that as well). So along w/ poker, I'm hoping this year is a step forward in the right direction in all aspects of my life!