I don't have specific hand histories or anything, and this might be more of me just ranting, though I would appreciate whatever advice you can give me so I can handle the situation I'm finding myself in. I'm obviously going all donkey lately, so I'd prefer a lack of "OMGWTF U DONK" posts, I acknowledge they may come and that I have certainly opened myself up to responses like that.

I'm consistently finishing mid-20s (thats good) in 180-seat $2+$.20 SnG's on PS, which pay for top-18 (thats bad), so I'm spending 2 hours to finish basically the same as Mr. or Ms. Out First (thats bad).

I'm finding myself stacked below the median player but right about there. Maybe within +/- 3 positions. I pick up cards like AJ, AQ, and go All-In (basically a hope hand) and end up losing. Usually I end up in a race, or dominated.

The last time this happened, I re-raised a 6x BB bet from the table chip lead so I was all-in with 33. I had no reason to not believe this guy, who seemed solid through my time at the table. He calls and shows KK.

I had him on a PP (I know it sounds dumb; I readily admit that it is). I have no idea why I still made this move.

My main question is, what tricks do you have to listen to those "gut feelings" or to "know better" in situations like I'm finding myself in. Do you put posters up near your computer, take a breath, what? Again, as stupid as I readily admit this sounds, in all of these situations I know my plays are marginal at best.

Help!

First, hardest and most important thing is to do exactly what you've done and recognise what you've done wrong (like alcoholism and being a goth).

As to what to do. Write it down if it helps, but tell yourself that reraising allin with 33 is the kind of move a bad poker player makes and you are not a bad poker player.

I tend to think of "Being a Goth" as more of an incurable, pre-existing condition, but I get the point.

Is there a "trick" to knowing when to let a hand go? Obviously, I'm not pround of my all-in reraise with 33, but does anyone have some kind of routine that they go through any time they are faced with a situation like those I've described?

There's obviously a massive difference between pushing all in and calling an all in (poker 101).

Knowing when to push is one thing but I think many people don't have sufficiently differentiated requirements for calling an all in when obviously there is no fold equity and the other guy has already demonstrated strength.

Basically all things being equal (and there are plenty of circumstances when they are not) I will only call an all in with QQ,KK,AA and AK (and QQ and AK are often foldable). Of course if I am short stack or big stack versus a short stack, or if the opponent is a maniac then things change. But I need a really good reason to be calling an all in with AQ or JJ which are hands where the best you can hope for is a coin flip and you are often dominated.

Right, the funny (I guess) thing is, every time after this happens to me I go, "I'm not calling all-ins unless its on a really short stack with less than QQ", right or wrong. My problem at this point seems to be finding some kind of control to actually do what I know in my head I have to (fold!! FOLD!!)

Actually, here's a practical thing (I forgot I do this it is second nature now).

When I get dealt a biggish hand that may require some decision making 88+ AJ+ kind of thing I immediately take my hand off the mouse and put it on the desk alongside the mouse.

I then make my decision before moving my hand back. This stops me from making the impulsive click if something big happens (ie someone all in) and allows my rational brain to take control and make a decision before I move my hand back.

It's definately helped me. Might work for you.

Even if I am short stacked I try and get real aggressive when approaching the bubble. Most people get real tight and will fold anything becaues nobody wants to go out on the bubble. In alot a cases I would push with those starting hands, especially depending on position so if anything you might pick up the blinds

That sounds like something I was looking for. It makes sense to me as often times these "decisions" are exactly what you have said, an impulse. I'll give 'er a shot, especially since you've had a great deal more success than I have to this point.

As to playing aggressive at the bubble, my confidence in that area has certainly been dented by my recent experiences (I know, with 7 or so people left before cashing is not really the bubble), In my head, I know it makes sense ... but ...

These last couple of weeks even an incurable goth would have done better than I have

just made a decision withlout using your method irex! god it cost me big!

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