X-Terminators Poker Crew

A Lesson Learned

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A Lesson Learned

Posted by Vice President at 03:50 AM on February 18, 2009

No one should worry about any statistics or final tables...The only thing we as a crew should care about is continuing to learn this game. It is a great thing to go deep into a tournament or even cash, but that is only part of the battle.

As of late (15 out of the last 22 days) I have had a ruff time playing this game, and I have been humbled to no end on how many great players are out there with extreme talent...If you don't believe me take a few hours out of your day and go to Commerce Casino and watch the tournaments or even play a satellites or two. Even though I have had it ruff lately, I have not given up. I believe what I have experienced will only make me a stronger player in the long run. It is funny because I have read in several books about how loosing can become your best teacher...Well I have dished out some expensive lessons as of late.

Today I wean't down to the Commerce Casino "Surprise, Surprise" (with no intention to play poker) to watch Scott Diamond play. Scott along with Josh, William, Jon Yuson, John Mcneely and Myself played the $335.00 event yesterday. Scott made it to final day and final 40 players. Scott played great poker and busted out in 12th Place. Being that I am at the Casino often (probably an understatement) I have been fortunate to meet some great players that have gotten to know me. A few of these players (one player in particular) noticed that I have been running bad or just not playing good...Several of these players offered advise and continued to give me support, which was extremely touching considering that I have played all of these players and will play them again. That was really cool!!!

One player (Highly regarded player in the poker world. Some of you know him some of you don't) actually took the time to sit down with me and give several of his thoughts and strategies regarding this game. He even provided me with his business card and told me to call him anytime that I wanted advice or help. In this half hour lesson I was dumbfounded regarding this man's knowledge of the game. I don't even think he realized what he gave me during that half hour, but I do and it is invaluable information. This teacher sat down on a $120.00 satellite and told me to play, but I said not tonight. I was then bought into the game by a very close friend because it was the last seat and he wanted to get double the odds. I accepted his offer and bought the last seat. I played the best poker I have played in a month, but got unlucky in the end. Even though I got unlucky my confidence was boosted and this teacher approached me after and told me how good I played.

I think all of us when we are running bad or just not playing good, need to talk with someone that you respect. This doesn’t just apply in poker but in life as well. When things are going ruff you need to seek the help of someone you respect and know will give you constructive advice.

For more information on this mystery teacher and more information on my lesson, just ask me or you will never find out……

Thanks for Reading

Paul “The Machine” Valencia;)

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5 Comments

Reply Sniper

11:55 AM on February 18, 2009

Well! where did you finish in the satelite?

Reply willthemaster

02:02 PM on February 18, 2009

Well I think Poker is a NUMBERS GAME, what I mean by that is the percentage of wins or cashes will be correlated to the numbers of tournaments played. I was watching the WSOP Europe last night and the pros were getting busted out of the game, the same way I have been busted out in the past. there is no difference between myself and the pros when I have played my best game and I get busted out you still need luck. Having said that I cannot compare myself to the pros because they do this for a living and they are very skillful and have had a lot of practice to get where they are at. Your skills will take you far and luck will help, now in order to show results in your win ratio this is where I think it is a numbers game, the more tournaments we play the better players we will become by putting ourselves in many different situations in which we can always learn something new, in turn the more cashes or wins we will have. for example I looked up Daniel Negreanu's stats He has 115 Cashes and 25 first place wins for a dollar amount of over $10,000,000. How many tournaments do you guys think he had to enter in order to accomplish this number?.

Practice makes perfect and we must hit those Casino tournaments more often to see results. a sales man knocking on peoples doors to make a sale gets a "No" most of the time when that door is answers. but for every no he gets that means he is getting closer to the "Yes", so I got a bad beat I'm having a bad run it is part of the game, so lets pick ourselves up, dust off and get back in the game.

Reply vickie wulwick

01:23 AM on February 19, 2009

To all of the x-termintors poker crew members, our family would like to thank all of you for the flowers, donations, prayers and kind words. Barry was so lucky to have such wonderful friends in his life and I know he loved to play poker with all of you. The memory page is so perfect. Sean is doing well and our family is blessed to now have him living with us. Barry did a great job! Again, we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness has helped our family and the memory page keeps Barry as part of your crew. For all of you that don't know, Barry was buried with pocket aces! Love The Wulwick Family

Reply Ice Lady

11:39 PM on February 23, 2009

Contrary to what you think Paul, I have read every blog posted since I joined. I agree with your latest because it is very easy to get discouraged. I wish I could go as often as you go but the cash flow and the schedule don't permit now. Maybe that will change in the future. Thanks for keeping it interesting. See you at the qualifier.

Reply Machine

03:44 PM on February 24, 2009

Thanks for the comments people..At least I know I have four readers now....