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Why things happen... explanations

By Camz
Jan 24, 09 04:45 PM

The bulk of comments I see discussed here and at tables center around donks, bad beats, poor play, ect... Short of the labeling of the play I don't see any further analysis of the why... Following are my thoughts on the matter in hopes of spurring a discussion on it...
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What is the goal? On the first, most obvious layer we have a tournament. That game has few hundred players and they are seeking to win whatever prize it offers. Now from the comments I've seen, many folks forget that this one tournament and it's prizes are not the only 'game' membership in this site offers.
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While you are playing that tourney with the goal of winning 1st place someone else might be playing it to just collect bounties. They might be in it to get into the points. They might just be trying to survive to final table. They might be wanting to double up so can sit out until dinner is over. They might be playing any two cards as 'test' to see how they perform in different situations. They might be testing position raises and the like. They might be there to spew hateful remarks and get rise out of you... ;^)
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The whole point is, they might be at same table with you, but they might very well not be playing the same GAME as you are. With hundreds in a tourney, it's not likely that everyone's goal is the same.
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This is one reason I think the games become more and more enjoyable as the tourney progresses. The closer you get to the FT the more everyone shares a common goal. I don't have much experience here at the FTs, only 16 or so including the point builders, but even with that low number I've not seen an obnoxious player/sore loser at the FT (yet) and few donk calls from anyone who doesn't have at least a middlin reason to make the call.
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It likely could be a different blog entry but there is world of difference in making a donk call vs a donk bet. One is active and other reactive. People do seem to mislabel them I think but like I said, prolly should be in different blog entry.
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Anyway, those are few thoughts on matter to get ball rolling. Any other opinions folks want to share?
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As always best wishes for you and yours and gl on the tables!
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~Mark


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COMMENTS

POSTED BY:
PkHrGd

Jan 24, 09 11:03 PM

Excellent observations sir! I know that I have tried different strategies in the past on here and I'm sure I left a lot of steaming players in my wake! Nothing personal, just attempting new ideas. I think that if the style you are playing can't handle these anomalies you should adjust your style cause you're going to run up against them. The trick is paying enough attention to notice them BEFORE your As walk into 86 offsuit that just flopped a straight!

POSTED BY:
Camz

Jan 25, 09 07:01 AM

Sir?!? *looking around for Dad or an officer*
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Can't you tell from the hair that I was an NCO?? Don't tell me my pic makes me look THAT old....lol
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Thank you for the comments. I do see folks saying "I just can't win" but when ask them about it they don't want to discuss. Hopefully, after they cool down, they'll stumble in here and start some dialogue.
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~Mark

POSTED BY:
mistershifty

Jan 25, 09 05:04 PM

Keep blogging Mark! You're views are very insightful and interesting to read. My goals are usually all of the above. I know that I can't win if I don't make the final table, so I am trying to survive w/o playing to rediculously tight. If and when I do make the FT, I know all points and cash will follow suit. As for playing with the intention of taking the most bounties, I'm not sure how this strategy works other than all in all the time. I get the most bounties when I have a huge stack.

POSTED BY:
mistershifty

Jan 25, 09 05:20 PM

.....and that surely fits in with all my other goals as well. Instead of breaking it down into a scenario that involves many players each having a seperate goal, I think of it in the sense that we all share the common goals of winning and making final tables. We do all however have overriding motivations that can certainly be placed into these catagories. I belive it's the players that best balance these motivations that will make final tables and win with more frequency.

POSTED BY:
Camz

Jan 25, 09 05:51 PM

Shifty... I think with the multiple 'goals' concept I was trying to explain some of my own actions to myself. Many times I'll have 4-5 games going. As they sort out, it becomes apparent which are viable and which aren't cutting the mustard. On those bad ones, I'm more likely to overplay just to test/donk off chips trying to parlay. If I don't, no big loss, I can then concentrate more on other tables.
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Or a movie might be coming on, ect and I get 'wildhair' and go AI on all tables!
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~Mark

POSTED BY:
mistershifty

Jan 26, 09 08:36 AM

Aha, Yes! Making perfect sense now lol. The AI on multiple tables move is a great one, always has my girlfriend going "omg I could never do that you are so crazy!"

POSTED BY:
Juice78

Jan 27, 09 11:27 AM

I don't think there is any excuses for some of the play/players on this site. I guess people just don't have any pride in their game anymore. I play to win anything I ever compete in. I can't stand to even think why someone would just want bounties. What does that get you.....nothing.

POSTED BY:
LoganWon

Jan 27, 09 11:37 AM

The Law of Diminished Returns comes into play for me.This simple law of economics states that at some point to keep going (adding amount of time that u play) is fruitless. If you are in the middle of a tourny and very short stacked is it worth ur time to wait for a chance to 3x up? Usually not and so u go all in with any garbage hand hoping to get knocked out. What looks like a donk call is really just surrendering. Sometimes the best move is to give in and try again later. Good blog.