How Often Do You Play Your A Game?

[steve7stud 0]

Pretty easy question.

[Rman3911 0]

When I'm not multitabling.

[steve7stud 0]

When I'm not multitabling.

Hmm, I hope that my poker students read this, lol.

[Thriceknurd 0]

I focus mostly on tournaments. I'd say I play my best poker game in tournament environments. At cash games, not so much. I get bored to easily and usually just mess around. Certainly not my A game.

[Rman3911 0]

Hmm, I hope that my poker students read this, lol.

Do you agree then?

[Abbaddabba 0]

[My B game * 4] > [My A game * 1]

[DrawingDeadInDM 0]

When I'm sober and have nothing else on my mind....so, next to never.

[NortonFan 0]

When I'm not tired.edt: oops

[turd ferguson 1]

Very rarely lately.

[FARGOpokerND 22]

i dont believe i have one yet....i never was a very good student

[chunky04 0]

About half the time. Unfortunately I skip B,C etc and go right down to about my Q game for the rest of the time.

[DaBruins 0]

~75% of the time

[steve7stud 0]

Do you agree then?

Yes I agree, I think that it is nearly impossible to play your A game while multi-tabling. Obviously there are advantages to playing more than one game. But at higher stakes, I think it is -EV.

[HangukMiguk 8]

when i decide to put in the focus.when i'm in a good mood.when i feel like playing.when i don't try to force thingswhen i don't set goals.when i take breaks to reset the machine.there's a lot of variables, and it's not always just one thing that always keeps my playing my a game.the key one is the first one. i'm trying to work on getting that back to at least 50% of the time. in mid-2005, that was at about 80% of the time, when i was becoming a SNG machine, and was cashing quite a lot in them.

[TheCinciKid 0]

When I sit down and decide to play a "for money" session, I'd say I'm often playing my A game. That's probably about 75% of the time. However, if things start out bad, my game may deteriorate, so I probably only play my A game about 50% fo the time.

[Lee2k 0]

Whenever im winning its my A game, whenever i hit a bad variance its my C game

[InertGrudge 0]

Like everyone said, when I actually focus. And recently, I've decided to drastically cut down the numbers of table I play and it's really improved my NL game.I'm not quite sure my A-game is as good as it should be, but it seems like there is at least that step there.

[steve7stud 0]

Whenever im winning its my A game, whenever i hit a bad variance its my C game

That's very common.If Daniel's not too busy golfing I'll see if I can get him to chime in on this topic. I think it's incredibly important, and very few people are able to do it on a consistant level. Maybe he'll have some tips.

[troyomac 0]

Yes I agree, I think that it is nearly impossible to play your A game while multi-tabling. Obviously there are advantages to playing more than one game. But at higher stakes, I think it is -EV.

I honestly think I play better when multi-tabling..depending on the number of tables. If I'm only playing one game (unless it's a tournament with a 200 buyin or more), I tend to lose focus really quickly due to boredom. When I'm playing 2 games, there is more to do, and I don't get bored as easy waiting for hands, and I play solid. 3 or more is too much for me though, and I play very poorly, making my decisions too fast and not focusing on other players.

[Kangaroo 0]

Whenever I'm consitently asking myself the following.- Why am I playing- What's my edge- what will my opponent do if I.....can you guess which site i subscribe to

[UncleHoot 0]

when i decide to put in the focus.when i'm in a good mood.when i feel like playing.when i don't try to force thingswhen i don't set goals.when i take breaks to reset the machine.there's a lot of variables, and it's not always just one thing that always keeps my playing my a game.the key one is the first one. i'm trying to work on getting that back to at least 50% of the time. in mid-2005, that was at about 80% of the time, when i was becoming a SNG machine, and was cashing quite a lot in them.

This, IMHO, is the best response. I find that I generally do worst when I'm tense or frustrated. If I'm relaxed and patient, look-out!

[fmlycar 0]

I guess I would have to say it partly depends on my opponents which is a stupid reason to not play my A game. If I'm playing a game where my C game will beat it, then i tend to stay less focused on that game and not put as much effort into it.Now if I'm playing a tough table (game selection I know) I will put more effort into playing my best because I take some pride in beating a tough(er) game.

[Startled 0]

My A game isn't [just] a winning session. Those come for all kinds of reasons. I think my A game comes when I'm in the "flow" and seeing the table well. Some days, it feels like the table is all just puppets, and they're doing exactly what they're supposed to. I know when raises will steal, and when chasers hit their gutshot.What gets me to that mystical place? Rest, sobriety, early pots in the session, concentration... It almost never happens when I've got friends on the table. I think it has a lot to do with the other players, and the chemistry of the table.It only happens about 5% of the time. Fortunately, my B game is good enough to beat my limits.

[benhoug 0]

Honestly I play my A-game most of the time when I'm playing live, but lately I can't seem to come even close to an A-game playing online. I've been seriously tilting online lately after losing to 2 and 3 outers, which is not conducive to playing my A-game.

[Balloon guy 158]

I've noticed I sometimes let the buy in affect my decision process at the table.If I sit down at a $5 SnG or .50/1 or 1/2 I'll play super loose to either win or leave. But this dumb style of play has started to creep into my regular game. Especially short handed cash games; I'll start calling down etc. with marginal hands.Luckily tomorrow is Wednesday and my regular live game is on, this always helps me play better since it's about bragging rights more than money.And I get to smoke cigars at the table.Maybe it's just the cigars?I also am learning to play other games which has helped me fall in love with the game again.