"Self Assessment"

I have to admit, I'm not the best poker player of all time. I don't really know who is, although, if you were to ask Poker Professional Phil Helmuth Jr., he might have an answer for you. I am at a point where I know the weaknesses in my game. Well, weakness, actually, I believe I have just the one. As most of you know, I play only in tournaments of the No Limit Hold 'Em variety, and, I played in another last night. As always, these things start with promises to myself to do better than last time, even if I cashed. I always review my strategy, and I have a before tournament routine that I stick to with only minor variations depending on how I feel that day.

There comes a point in every tournament, where you have to change tables. And this is where my weakness lies. I don't know that I handle this part of my game properly. It doesn't matter how I've been playing at the previous table, or what my chip stack is, because, what I end up doing is playing the same exact game that I was playing at the previous table.

Against different opponents that I've never seen before.

Different playing styles, and different chip stacks. And me, attempting to play the exact same game. Once again, this didn't work last night, and I didn't even complete an orbit of the button at the new table.

So, I'm thinking that if I can afford it, the next time I change tables, I'm going to wait for the button to go around once before I play a hand. Unless I get dealt pocket rockets, then of course, I'll move all in.

72 and sunny in Redondo Beach.

See you next time.

"Matches Malone"

Editor's note: Matches Malone has been writing for us for a couple years now, and you can read his blog notes at PokerAllStar.com

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