SuneBergHansen's blog

Don't blame the players - blame the game

24) Do you take notes on your game after a session? If, yes, describe.

That's easy. I don't take notes on my game after at session. I think about it and think about what I did wrong and right and what I need to work on. But no notes - it is all in my head.

25) How much is your evaluation of your ability as a player influenced by results? Describe.

Ouch that was a nasty question. I think way to much. I try not to be influenced and sort of  retain a steady confidence. I also try to measure variance to see 'how I am doing- hot and cold' but I still feel like a loser when I lose. In general I think my confidence is too low. I am struggling to feel confident even when I am on a long winning streak. But after at few days I usually manage to inject logic and accept my role in the poker hierarchy: Steady (but not really big) winner at the midstakes. Right now is a good example: I have been playing 10K hands so far this month and I am up around 2K (ok without being fantastic). But my all-in EV graph tells me that I should be at zero... And I have seen all the hands that tells this story (set under set, set vs. rivered gutshot (2 times!) and 5 times all-in with kings versus aces...) So I know that the EV-graph is not 'accurate', but it still bugs me a lot.

26) Do you exercise? If yes, on average how often and generally what do you do?

I am almost tilting about continuing this seemingly endless row of questions. But as we all know: Real progress is hard earned. The process is very valuable and I strongly recommend that you, my dear stubborn reader, do it yourself. It really helps! In the beginning it is maybe not so nice to realize all these mistakes and flaws in yourself. But hey dude, you weren't born perfect, and probably also picked up some bad habits on the way... So knowing is painful but good. Like the dad who is beating up his kid and says: this hurts me more than you, son :) Ok without further ado, let's go:

16) Do you ever act without thinking in a way that's negative? If yes, why? What is the typical situations when it happens?

Yes, sir, I do sometimes. The worst situation is in big pots. It seems my mind goes kinda blank. I am a very intuitive player but I still always try to use logic and sometimes I just seems I can't. I want to give him a range, a state of mind, an image, an idea of my image etc. but the only think that comes is: I have top pair top kicker in a reraised pot - I am not folding! (fucker). I think it is due to fear of making a mistake and also fear in general (result-oriented thinking). It sometimes also happens because I am distracted or just because of carelessness. So I just autofold a mediocre hand in the small blind even though the big blind is not defending at all. In my personal profile (I did a DISC test) it showed that I often make very quick decisions - and not always thinking it through. I try to tell myself to take my time all the way. And in reraised pot's I can only act when partypokers clock has passed 10 seconds - just to make sure I don't rush the decision (or give away timing tells).

Sorry it took so long for part 3 to arrive. I first played Politiken Cup (a big open) and at the moment I am playing a closed grandmaster tournament in Gothenburg (Sweeden). The problem with chess is: 1) It takes forever to play a game (2-6 hours) 2) At this level (GM) a lot of preparation goes into the games especially if you don't work (very much) between tournaments. Here I have spent an average of 4 hours for preparation before each round. 3) You need to eat and I have no kitchen so I am eating out 3 times a day (takes time too). 4) You get so restless it is really hard to think about anything but chess - guess I should quit this stupid game (2 from 4 in the tournament is not what I had hoped for). Ok enough dilly dally, let's go!

11) Describe what you do before you play. How do you warm up, if you do?'

I go to the office (in the centre of Copenhagen) and switch on the computer. Then I open my journal (brief poker diary) and make of list of what I am working on at the moment. I then make a reminder of say 3 things that needs special attention. Could be something like this:
A) Stay quiet! I am really trying to stay silent while I am playing - not disturbing the others and making sure I am not tilting.
B) Make big folds! I am trying to be better at folding strong second best hands.
C) Then it could be some specific line I want to try or incorporate in my game. Example could be to check call the flop with a draw and then donk the turn (Leatherass likes this line).
Then I review my genereal brief notes (remember ranges - theirs and mine) and make a few breathing exercises… then fire up hold'em manager, the poker client and the tablescanner and 10 minutes later 6 tables are flashing on the screen.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. (Albert Einstein)

We continue the journey with Tendlers questionnaire from the last blog. I am slightly disappointed that not a single reader took the chance and filled the questionnaire and posted it in the comments... But I rest assure that you did it for yourself, right guys?

I am a very firm believer in honesty. So before we begin you get a little preach: Be honest to yourself!!! I wasted so many years trying to avoid fixing my (quite serious) issues.. But they don't go away by themselves, you have to address the REAL problems if you want to achieve success and harmony... So be honest (at least) with yourself. You don't have to be a super wannabe like me and spill your heart out in a blog, but finding that honest core will help, both in poker and life. Ok, enough morale for today. Get ready to learn things about me, you probably didn't want to know (hey, that dwarf story wasn't true so forget about it!). Let's go!

6) What have you tried to fix any of these issues? What level of success have you had?

Jared doesn't spout feel-good mumbo-jumbo; This isn't patronizing psychobabble instead he peels back your poker-playing layers to indentify your specific issues (from backcover of 'The Mental Game')

I promised a journey to the land of the tilt-free. I definitely want to go there myself! Imagine a world without ups and downs while playing poker. You don't get upset (very much) and just handle your emotions as they arrive - and they always will unless you are a robot. The tool to get there is Jared Tendlers absolute astonishing book: 'The Mental Game of Poker'. Just hurry up and order it from:  www.jaredtendlerpoker.com. And by the way I don't know the guy (even though it feels like he knows me!) and haven't got any economic interests in the book (unfortunately). While you wait for it to arrive, feel free to join me for the following questionnaire that you should do before starting on the book. It is like a self-diagnosing tool. I have no secrets for you so here are my answers (feel free to post yours in the comments):

1) First share a bit about yourself (education, interests, family, etc):

Grandmaster in Chess, Bachelor in Economics. Interested in almost everything but let's keep it down to 5 interests: Alternative rock, 'good' movies, traveling, politics and good books. Got a brother and a father plus a GF and a cat.

But when you put your arms around me
I'll be looking over your shoulder for something new
'cause I ain't ever found peace upon the breast of a girl
I ain't ever found peace with the religion of the world
I ain't ever found peace at the bottom of a glass...
The only true freedom is freedom from the heart's desires
(The The from here)

I really really want to play highstakes poker as a regular...
I really really want to be filthy rich...
I really really want to live somewhere else (especially in the winter)...
I really really want that sixpack (back)
I really really want to become a dad...
I really really want to be absolutely tiltless when I play poker...
I really want to see the whole world (maybe except Afghanistan)...
I really really want to... (fill out the blanks)

Very realistic goals, right? You probably have some of them yourself? Who wouldn't want to play highstakes poker, have a sixpack or be filthy rich?? So what do YOU do about it, sir?

Well, ok I am probably getting too offensive here so let me explain what this is all about (got your attention I hope). Well,
 basically
action speaks louder than words!
 that was the short version and if you are busy you can skip the rest. If you really want to play nosebleed poker, you know you have to pay, don’t ya? Yeah those guys they did pay, a lot, to get there. It wasn't a walk in the park but very hard work all the way. So if you want to go that way you better start working (and forget about life for a while).