Secrets of the Amateurs

My game has felt out of synch since coming back from Vegas - it's hard to explain but it's just a sense that I'm doing things that worked (enough of the time) a year ago, but now they don't. Too often I make a play, then when it's on my opponent I immediately think "this isn't going to work", and it doesn't. There is a definite element of rock-paper-scissors to online tournaments (especially on Stars and Tilt where the standard is a little higher) in that certain plays (the steal reraise is an obvious example) become more and more prevalent until the point where you're more thinking about exploiting the play (and other players' belief that you are using the standard play) than making it.

So I'm taking 10 days or so off for a break and to work out some new options. I can't play this weekend anyway so it seems like a good time to do it. I can't really put it all down to post-Vegas blues ; it's been at the back of my mind for a few months, and I think individual big results like the Warm-Up win have papered over the cracks. Nil desperandum though, it's always good to be aware of these things. While I'm here I'll be on Channel 5 tomorrow (Wednesday) night in the final of the ... which one was it ... EPO V I think. Not that I final all the time, I just get whichever really prestigious event it is mixed up with the other really prestigious events :-). Anyway, enjoy. A friend of mine described me as "unflappable" recently, I think he might change his mind if he sees this one where I look definitely flapped at one point.

Ooh, almost forgot. The EPT London schedule is out, and it rocks. Shootouts ! 6 max ! 8 game ! Stuff with numbers in it ! I could happily not play another live 10-handed NL MTT in my entire life, but these sound good. Stars are promising to facilitate online buyin (with FPPs for rake !) as well. I like the sound of "European 8-Game Champion" :-). I haven't got a clue how to play triple draw, and not much more in Omaha 8, but that should put me at least 3 games ahead of most of the field. In conclusion, WSOP-E can DIAGF, EPT London is where it's at next month.