KEVIN O'LEARY POKER Poker Player Kevin O'Leary
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enough, already

27/2/2018

6 Comments

 
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I should preface this by making a few things clear:

I'm a big believer that turning up to play a tournament with a "set" gameplan, i.e: "I'm going to play loose today" etc, is largely flawed logic. Until you assess the people with whom you're sitting, deciding how you are going to proceed in the event is a bit like getting behind the wheel, engaging first gear, and then setting off with your eyes shut. By this I mean you have to be flexible in what you're going to do, and not just be the guy who is always loose, always tight, always bluffing, whatever. This should be obvious to most, but I'll say it anyway. poker is a game of people, and most people are predictable. That is one of their biggest faults.

Secondly, in terms of a lean run, bad series, outdraws etc, to me, the last few weeks aren't great, but are a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things. Not expecting any medals to be handed out of course, but what I'm saying is that how you cope when things are going great and the money is flowing your way should be a no brainer. It's easy to play champagne Charlie and be happiness personified when the wins come easily. It's how you cope and what you do going forward when things are not going great and you're getting the shaft that actually determine what kind of poker player, and maybe even what kind of person you really are. Adversity is a great barometer for people. As I already said, this isn't a great run, at all, but in the past I can remember 18 months solid when it just wouldn't happen for me, whatever I did. I'm very hardy when it comes to things like this, and that just comes from experience and temperament. People who have shares will know that despite the jokes, it's my money on the line too, and I have way more of it out there in action on these trips than anyone else. I wouldn't have it any other way.

OK, what was the point of all that waffle then?

The point was this.

Reading updates where you grind like a Trojan for 9 hours then get murdered might be entertaining. They might be informative. They might even make you think a bit, and thinking is rarely a bad thing. People should do more of it. However, grinding for 9 hours, or busting in the first 5 minutes still produces the same result financially, that is to say, a net loss on the day. I think a part of me, though I like to write and find bits to say, is always mindful of the audience, and even though I don't post "well I thought he could lay down 10 10 so I shoved" during the first 5 minutes, I most certainly have that gear in me. I just don't use it as I don't ever want people to think of money invested as money simply wasted.

The last few events, yesterday in particular have me thinking a bit in terms of if I had reshoved a few hands (even where say, the nut flush draw missed in the end), there's a good chance I might have just won the hand there and then. I don't like being a calling station in poker, it's just not the right way to play the game. I'd always rather die trying than just fizzle out, and I think sometimes (table dependent, as per the first paragraph) just getting on and gambling a bit rather than trying to make the nuts and then get paid with it is a better strategy in these things. Poker with 50K when the average stack is 23K is always better, and conversely, playing catchup and ending up looking for a spot is most definitely not. I have plenty to do with my days here if not playing poker. Golf, Yoga, hiking, friends, cooking, movies, and lots more. Even God forbid the occasional odd (sometimes very odd) girl who wants to spend time with me. So I don't need to fill my days with making the buy-in last as long as I possibly can, just to bust out on level 10 anyway. The end result is the same as if you jammed with the nut flush draw, got called, and missed it in level one. However, the latter course gives you a chance of a bigger stack early, and also the chance of some knucklehead actually folding because now the decision is for his tournament, and not for yours. If that makes sense. It should, as most people reading this are fairly astute.

Take from this what you will. I suppose what I'm saying is the scheduled trip is nearing it's conclusion in terms of events, and I'm a bit fed up with taking crap from people and just meekly letting hands go. Maybe it's about time I started dishing some crap out instead. In the right circumstances of course.

Wynn $600 day 1B later today. We shall see.
6 Comments
mark segal
27/2/2018 03:30:23 pm

I've been reading most of your updates Kevin - It seems you're playing much the same poker that has got you over $1m in tournament winnings over the years . Of course you know when to change gear or change style, and from what I've seen over the years, the way you play "puts you in position" for a decent cash when things are playing fair, and we've had quite a few of those. I've railed you many times and you've railed me a few too - you're a great player, solid in what you do. Sometimes you just can't beat luck no matter how good you are. I personally wouldn't change anything. Nobody that understands poker and has taken a share in your action would think any less of you or your game whether you come back with 5 cashes or none. We invest in you because you're solid and we know that we have a great chance of a decent return with you when things are playing fair. Hopefully you'll play the same way that has always worked and finally get some justice today. You got the game, so far You've just been running bad and that's just the way it is. Wish you better luck today!

Reply
Kevin
27/2/2018 05:58:17 pm

Hi Mark.

As always you're very kind, and I know you always say what you think. I wouldn't have it any other way. I busted earlier as you will see, but poker run-outs aside, I think part of it is the mindset aspect. You know (as you've experienced it too) that you can feel you're head and shoulders above the table ability wise, and still lose pot after pot. That's fine. I made peace long ago that bad runs are just unavoidable, it's how you handle them that says all.

I still have an upbeat attitude, I still plan on playing $50K or so of events in the WSOP this year, including the main, and I still firmly believe I have the game and the mindset to do well. Hopefully it starts to happen soon! Thanks for the words, and the support as always.

Kevin

Reply
mark segal
27/2/2018 07:15:54 pm

You're welcome Kevin, just saying it as it is. Nasty bust-out yet again, unlucky. Hand of course played itself and I know that you will have moved on already. Sadly haven't got your mindset when it comes to being continuously shafted which is why I'm on my little sabbatical. I find it a lot harder than you to just accept the bulls\it and bounce back the way you do. Respect to you for that, I do have this big big feeling that things will come good for you at the WSOP. Looking forward to sharing some action with you. Please keep my usual % aside. Catch up with you in London soon. God Bless

mark segal
27/2/2018 07:25:14 pm

For some reason I though this was your last event ! I think I've jumped the gun ! You still have a few more to play this trip, no ?

Reply
Kevin
27/2/2018 09:49:14 pm

I'm still due to play the Wynn $1600 main event, and also another $600 Wynn event with $250K gtd. A deep run in one of those and it's all gravy. It's weird I know that despite all the crap, I'm still more positive and confident than ever. Thanks for the kind words.

Reply
mark segal
28/2/2018 06:13:30 am

It's not weird, you're a resilient guy, you know you're playing well, . you've seen the competition and respectfully, you know you're a level above the vast majority of them, opportunity knocks ! We just need some run fair in the last few tourneys .... Hope you get some justice mate, you really deserve it

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