Poker question

[Fouts]

A question for some higher stakes tournament poker players;

I've been running pretty good lately in the lower stake tourneys ($3-$5 entry fees), and made 3 final tables in the last two weeks. They have been paying out $25-50 per final table. The thing is, I don't feel like I'm playing the best poker I can, mostly by losing concentration. Usually, I'll make a bad call thinking somebody is bluffing, or make a stupid semi-bluff myself.

So, my question is, how do I take it to the next level? I want to feel like I have a chance in the $20+2's, weekly 1mil, and WSOP seat tourneys. Any suggestions?

P.s. I have both Harrington books, plus the low-level stakes book.

[Lathum]

One of the biggest mistakes players make is they move up to higher stakes to fast. If you feel like your skill level is high enough to compete but you lack the concentration to play for extended periods of time I suggest you work on that part of your game.

One great way to keep focused is by only playing in one tournament at a time and when you aren't in the hand try focusing on the other players and see if you can guess their hands. I also usually will have a couple of drinks to relax me. I find it helps me focus.

The most important thing to remember is don't move up if your bankroll can't handle a few losses because you will only undo all your work.

[primelord]

Do you feel like you have a good grasp on the material in the Harrington books? Anyone who has a thorough understanding of those two books can beat the Stars $20+2's with ease.

Like Lathum said, the biggest concern is without question bankroll. Do you have poker tracker? Do you have any idea what your long term ROI is in the tournies you have been playing? If you have a large number of tournies played and your ROI is above say 25-30% at the $5 tables then you should move up assuming you have a comfortable bankroll. The key is not to be playing in a tournament where you are sweating the entry fee. As soon as you ahve enough in your bank roll that you can drop down $22 to get in and get your AA cracked on the 3rd hand and not ne at all concerned that you just dropped $20 then you are ready.

As far as talent level goes, there isn't a HUGE difference between the 20s and 5s. There is a difference, but again if you can put up an ROI of 30% at the 5s you can beat the 20s.

[Honolulu Blue]

I haven't played any multi-table tournaments in a long time, partly because like you I have trouble playing at a high level for several hours at a time. That's something we can both work on.

Since you've been going so well, I say there's no harm in taking some of your profits to play in games with higher limits. If you win, wonderful; if you lose, you can go play in the kiddie pool some more.

The advice listed above is also good, and I don't have anything else substantial to add to it.

[primelord]

Originally Posted by Honolulu Blue

Since you've been going so well, I say there's no harm in taking some of your profits to play in games with higher limits. If you win, wonderful; if you lose, you can go play in the kiddie pool some more.

This is a good point. There is certainly nothing wrong with "taking shots" at higher limits. However if you are going to do something like that without the bankroll to support the limit you are playing at it is very important to set a limit for youself. Many people fall into the trap of taking a shot at a game above their bankroll. They lose a bit and then become determined to win it back and continue to play above their roll until they lose it all.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by primelord

Many people fall into the trap of taking a shot at a game above their bankroll. They lose a bit and then become determined to win it back and continue to play above their roll until they lose it all.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by primelord

Many people fall into the trap of taking a shot at a game above their bankroll. They lose a bit and then become determined to win it back and continue to play above their roll until they lose it all.

....the ending to my first serious attempt at poker. *sigh*

(My second serious attempt will begin shortly. At least I plan to.)

[Fouts]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Mustang]

I thought I'd be a parasite on this thread and ask my own question/comment.

Only played tournaments the last few nights. I don't know, just seems like I do alot better in NL tournaments than I ever do it any other game. Which is probably why I'm just going to try to stick more to tournaments. Anyone else in the same boat?

Having said that, the last few days I've played in 2 $10 sit and gos and 1 sat for this weeks $1M Pokerstars tournament.. In looking at my stats, I've noticed that I've won the last 23 showdowns. I'd assume that is very very unusual...