This semester I am taking two Japanese literature classes. They both require a lot of reading and since midterms are this week I've been reading and re-reading all of the material so that I can hopefully write a competent essay for the tests.
In any case I sort of realized that all of this reading also allows for a bit of poker. It's pretty easy to keep up with one limit table since most of the time I just have to look up briefly to see the complete trash I got dealt and click the fold button. When a playable hand comes up I just take a break really quick and play it out. I also find the chip sound effects quite calming.
There is one particular hand I will probably post later, but for the most part the mistakes were obvious and were honestly the same sorts of mistakes I was making before I took my long break. I have rusted a little, I can't really remember the actual odds for various draws, but I think if I looked back at my decisions I would find I remember them somewhat instinctually. Plus I'm not seeing many no-fold'em hold'em games so you aren't often able to draw profitably anyway.
Oddly enough the fact that I still knew how to play wasn't the biggest surprise. The thing that really shocked me was how badly I was playing.
I think some of it stems from playing a lot on Party Poker in the glory days. I was only playing $0.5/$1 and $1/$2 back then and there was a lot of ramming and jamming. The sheer number of loose/aggressive players meant you could do it profitably since they would often show-down the second best hand. (Usually a Ace or King with a weak kicker.)
The other problem is that I never really had to learn how to play any better. Online there were tons of fish, plenty of great games, bonuses galore and tons of money for the taking. Live casinos, which probably haven't changed much, were also flush with new players and plenty of regulars who were more than happy to give their money away each month. (I made it a habit to play the first weekend of every month. Yay for payday!)
So now I'm still a winning player, but probably only marginally. I also have a lot lower risk tolerance now. I guess it's finally time to evolve my game. 'Cause we all know quitting isn't an option!
