Hitting the Radio Waves

Tonight I begin a journey into online radio/podcasts with the Kenna James Hour at www.ontiltradio.com.  Not to be confused with FT - the people who got railroaded there might, however, be "on tilt" and should have no problem remembering the difference.

Tonight I'll be working live with a guest and going over the art of hand reading and which skill set you need to be developing in order to become good at it. Being able to read a players hand without having to pay for the information is a crucial element in a players arsenal.  Not a fan of the "probe or information" bet, TJ Cloutier said: "You should never bet for information.  You already should have it, before you make your bet."  I couldn't agree more.  In a recent episode of The Boardwalk Empire, I remember a line from one of the characters who said:  "I don't gamble.  I never make a bet, in which I don't already know the outcome."

I hope you'll join me tonight at 4 pm pdt, or perhaps download the podcast which will be available later in the week.  In the meantime, start thinking about what you think it takes to become good at reading a players hand and see how it compares to what I have to present to you tonight.

Enjoy the Journey,

KJ

A Mistake Filled Session

Have you ever had those days where nothing is going right?  In yesterdays live game session at the Aria, I was off my game and making poor decisions, until the last one, which was to quit.  When your game is off, it’s best to swallow the pride and call it a day.

Here is an example of a mistake I made in this session.

PRINCIPLE:

Don’t Call Raises OP (Out of Position) with a hand that can easily make “Second Best.”

The worst hand in poker is not 7-2, for it rarely losses much money.  No, the worst hand in poker is the one that losses the most money without winning the pot.  Also known as trap or mediocre hands they include such holdings as;  KQ, KJ, QJ, AQ, AJ, etc.

These type hands do hold value in certain situations, but in the situation I describe above (OP in raised pot not closing off the action) these type hands offer nothing but trouble. 

This was the action in the hand I played in a 5-10 NL Cash Game at the Aria in LV:  MP = Middle Position.  LP = Late Position.

MP (1200) -  good player raises to 40 – LP - Solid Player (1000) calls – BT (Button) (3500) –Fish, raises to 200.  Hero (me J) is in the BB (3000) – Calls with KQ and both of the other players call and we take the flop 4 handed with the pot at 800.

Flop:  Q-6-4 two spades.

Hero C-R, Late Position better who bets 200 to 800, BT (Fish) folds and the other player flats 800!  The LP calls all-in. 

Turn:  7 of diamonds.

I move in and MP folds an ace-high flush draw.

River:  7 of clubs.

MP turns over AQ and wins the pot. 

Analysis:

So there was obviously multiple mistakes in this hand.  Along with violating the principle I listed at the top, my betting decisions were poorly timed.  If I was going to take an aggressive line, I should have taken it early against the Fish, since that it is him that drew me into the pot in the first place.  Taking an overly aggressive line with just top pair in a multi-way raised pot is not a profitable play in the long run.  I contributed to making this pot multi-way by just flatting pre-flop.  I could have made it 600 to go pre-flop to isolate the Fish, take control of the pot, and set myself up to win it.  Instead I left myself in middle ground, as they say in tennis, and hit it into the net.  A costly mistake that can simply be avoided by applying the principle:  “Don’t call raises OP with second-best hands.” 

Poker can sometimes offer expensive lessons.

KJ 

For Pride or Money - How do you play the game?

It’s 5:00 in the morning and “The Color of Money” is playing on the television.   I had fallen asleep on the couch, but my eyes crack open as I hear “Fast Eddie” say, “You don’t know whether to take it or not, do you?” proposing a $500 challenge match bet to Carmen, the girlfriend/manager of Vincent (played by Tom Cruise).

I didn’t like this movie the first time I saw it as I was ignorant to the subtlety of its messages.  But now, after studying with the very man who the story is fashioned around, I’m able to clearly identify the genius of its story line.  For me now, it’s more of a movie about how the choices we make define our character.

In the big pool tournament scene near the end of the movie, Eddie makes an interesting choice to walk over to Vincent and gives him back a “pay off” envelope. The subtlety is that Vincent knows this will taint Eddie’s victory and leave him with a feeling of being cheated.  We know this by Vincent’s core reaction in a later scene when Vincent shouts, “YOU USED ME!” Eddie “As-Ises” the moment by responding:

“You bet I did.  But at least you’re not back there in some storage room stocking shelves.  Let’s call it a wash.” 

In the middle of his next semi-final match, as he lines up a shot, he sees his reflection in the object ball.  He backs off, breaks down his cue stick, walks over to Vincent and puts the pay off money back in his arms. Eddie decides to forfeit the match and his chance at victory and the 50k first place prize, refusing to compromise himself in winning the game.  Interestingly, he displayed the thing that he preached at the beginning of the movie when he said, “You need to know whether to take the bet or not.” I believe that through the course of his relationship with Vincent, he changed.  He learned the value of the opposite of another one of his earlier statements.  Which was “money won is worth twice as much as money earned.” 

This time, “the take,” meant that he not only didn’t earn it, but that he himself was being hustled in a way.  He was now “the mark,” that he had so often made other people.  The mark not for money, but for his pride and character.  I believe that Vincent wanted to show off what he had been taught, throw it in the face of Eddie to give him a taste of what he had to sacrifice, and give him a taste of what it’s like to be used. 

Determined not to be anybody’s mark, he refocuses his efforts on training, raising his standards and getting back into competition.  He also makes the choice of not letting himself be bought.  Which, by the way, is a choice you gotta have the courage to make if you want to be great. 

The game of poker is tough man, it’s not for sissies.  You got to be able to handle losses and not cry about it, but pick yourself up, brush yourself off and get back in the ring. 

You gotta have integrity with yourself and others or you’ll continued to get hustled and used like an old beat up cue in some run down pool hall. 

I like the symbolism of the balabushka cue stick used in the movie.  It both, represents and inspires at the same time, perfection in the man who is aware of what he is holding.  Nothing major.  Really.  It’s only your destiny that hangs in the balance. 

It’s 6:30 am now as the birds begin to chirp and I’m tired.  It’s been a long journey.  Forgive me, please, for wanting to roll over and go back to sleep.  Carpe Diem Eddie, I miss ya.

Kenna

  

Differentiating Blog Posts

Those that know me, know that I tend to be very philosophical. In fact, in a recent poker game another player in the game talking about me exclaimed; “I’m playing with the fucking Socrates of poker!  Rather then continue to combine my life philosophy with poker, I’ve decided to create a separate blog that deals with just my perspectives and philosophy on life.  I will  be re-titling and keeping this blog just for poker.  So if you are more interested in my philosophical perspectives visit and subscribe to that blog.    I am also going to create a third blog (invitation only) just for family and close friends for deeper insights on my personal journey. 

It has always been a challenge for me to separate my personal life from my professional one. With my new blog focus, I will be able to differentiate and better serve the interests of those who are interested in just those particular subjects..  Thank you for joining me along this journey.  It is my goal that my blogs, whichever you choose to follow, will continue to enlighten, encourage and inspire you.

Enjoy the Journey,

Kenna James 

You can find my new life blog at:  kennajames.blogspot.com

It is entitled:  Life’s Journey is Here

Seminar - Workshop

I took the redeye to JFK in NYC last night and after a bumpy ride finished off the journey by waking up to an aborted landing.  That'll wake you up quick!  I guess there was a plane that still hadn't cleared the runway and just before we touched down, the pilot hit full throttle and took us on a steep ascent over the ocean.  After doing a fly around we touched down 20 minutes later and I was on my way to hosting my first seminar-workshop at the Albany Poker Club.

My focus was on presenting 10 workable Principles to help improve understanding and approach to the game of poker.  I covered strategies to improve on Perspective, Attitude, Emotional Control, Physical Tells,  and overall Play of Hands using logic and reason.  It was a great group, and we all left with some useful tools and a greater feeling of what it takes to win,  in a competitive game like poker.

I love teaching,  but I don't like traveling as much as I use to when I was playing full time on the World Poker Tour.  At one point,  I was playing in over 100 events a year, across 5 different countries.  Today I'm happy to just take an occasional trip to teach and play much closer to home.  Traveling takes its toll after awhile, especially if you have to keep dealing with aborted take offs and landings.  This was my 3rd one in my last 10 flights!  Sheesh.

Enjoy the Journey!

KJ

A Painful Lesson in Patience from being a Patient

I’m pretty much a wimp when it comes to physical pain, but unexpected events can come up where you simply don’t have a choice. Either you face it now, or continue to suffer the consequences of avoiding the problem.  One problem is the build up of infection which worsens the pain.  In fact, one thing I leaned on a recent visit to the dentist, was that removing an infection can cause more pain then extracting a tooth.

A little over a year ago I started feeling some discomfort in my jaw. It emanated from my tooth but it was much lower.  So I went to my dentist who was able to see a small dark spot at the bottom of a tooth where I had a root canal performed years before.  A small space had developed and we needed to go back in there and see what was going on and try and fill that space.  Space in life can be good, but inside teeth I discovered,  is very bad.  Bacteria and infection can set up camp and eventually start eating away at healthy tissue and bone, potentially creating a big problem. 

After that procedure the endodontist informed me that the area was filled but that the structure of the tooth was weak and it’s life expectancy was probably not more then a couple of years.  True to his word, 14 months after that visit the pain returned to my jaw and a boil appeared on my gum line around that tooth. There wasn’t a lot of pain, but when it burst and puss came out I knew it wasn’t a good sign.  So back to the dentist I went who now informed me that the tooth was dead and that an extraction was needed.  I’ve never had a tooth pulled before, and the only image I had in my mind was one from the moves, where a guy puts his foot on your chest and with a pair of pliers in your mouth wrenches out your tooth. Not a good visual. 

The oral surgeon I went to was a true professional.  He jokingly assured me that their methods of pulling teeth had improved over the years.  However,  because of the infection and the amount of pain that probably would be involved, suggested that I be put to sleep for the procedure.  That would require some preparation such as not eating for 12 hours previous, etc. so I would have go home and schedule the procedure for another day.  The other option, which I could do immediately, was to have just a local anesthetic and remain conscious through the procedure. Which, in itself, because of the infection and the brittle tooth could involve quite a bit of pain.  So this was the moment of truth for me. Face the pain consciously now, or come back later and be put to sleep.

Obviously there are additional risks when you are put to sleep,  but the upside is you don’t have to face the pain.  While contemplating my options, I remembered that Puggy Pearson, an old time poker player, died the night after going to the dentist and being put to sleep.  Knowing that risk was very slight, it still didn’t seem to make sense to take that path just to avoid the pain.  Secondly, from my personal experience, I know it’s more effective to handle something consciously rather then unconsciously.  So, I made the decision to face the procedure consciously and have it done right then.

They came in with this long needle and gave me a few shots to the jaw to numb the area and then I watched Seinfeld on the TV to find some humor and distraction while it took effect.  Fifteen minutes later, they came in for the kill.

Leaning almost on my back there was nothing now to distract me.  I knew I had to find something to look at to focus on as a distraction.  The only thing I could find was the dark flowing hair on the surgeons head.  So I started counting the hairs that were dangling from his head as he went in - Oweee! My eyes opened wide as the pain went deep. So excrutiating at one point that tears filled my eyes and I started to sweat.  I could feel the metal on my bone as he began twisting the tooth trying to pry the culprit loose from it’s forty year old home. I tightened my grip on the chair trying my best to hold my body in place. In my mouth they put what’s called “a block,” to prevent it from slamming shut.  There is also some gauze in there to soak up the blood.  At one point I couldn’t get enough air, and it felt like I was going to choke on it.  But it was as if he could read my mind, and he assured me he would remove it in just a moment.  That moment of helplessness and submission can be a very spiritual moment.  It was for me, as I found peace looking into the eyes of his assistant who was calm and smiling.

Finally, I was relieved when I saw this long thread and knew he was stitching up my gums.  At this point I couldn’t even feel the needle.  I was so relieved knowing that I had made it through the experience without “tapping out.”  I had faced the pain and bagged the badly infected tooth.

I now know what Webster means now when he defines the word patience as “suffering in place.”  For the word patient, comes from the word patience.  A trait, thanks to this experience, that I now have a greater understanding and capability of applying at the tables.  

Don't forget to brush your teeth and I'll see y'all smiling at the tables.

Kenna

     

A Lesson from Cats

My son and I have two pepper grey cats.  The one with heavy black stripes is named Maximus.  The one with more of a spotty black coat, is named Leonidis.  They're brothers and have distinctively different personalities.  Leondis is much more effectionate and cuddly, while Maximus is more intelligent and standoffish. 

It’s interesting to watch them interact, and display their love and affection for each other.  They often sleep together, literally intertwining their bodies, with a paw or a head, softly resting on the other.  Instead of just grooming themselves, they will often lick and groom each other.  Especially in those tough to reach areas like behind the head and ears.  Hopefully you are lucky enough to have someone like that in your life.  Someone to love, groom and have your back!

Animals, whether it be cats, dogs, birds, etc. can offer us vital clues on how to live and get along with each other better.  All we have to do is take the time to look, observe and apply what we see.  One lesson I learned from watching my cats is that when you fight, don't waste any time in making up.  After wrestling playfully one day, they appeared to be really fighting hard.  But as soon as it was over, they were back to grooming each other and sharing a bowl of Kibbles and Bits like nothing had happened.

In any close relationship, we can easily infringe on each others personal space and fights can break out.  Whether they be verbal or physical, to fight for our own personal space and boundaries is natural.  What isn't so natural, and what is the most  challenging is to "give way," which by the way is the definition of forgiveness, and move on.  The practical lesson is to get back to grooming anyone in which you’ve had any discourse, as soon as possible.  For the purpose of grooming is not just to clean and give a fresh appearance, but to show how much you care for the other person.  If you don’t care, do nothing and it will quickly begin eroding away.  If you do care, give way, and let go of the disagreements.  Completing this hate-love cycle, can not only cleanse your spirit, but also grow our relationships to an even greater depth of understanding, love and appreciation for everything the other person is, not just for what we want them to be.

Enjoy the Journey,

Kenna

PURPOSE and DETERMINATION - Keys to Victory at the 2011 WSOP

With the WSOP starting this week I thought I would just mention two principle words that will greatly affect who wins a bracelet and who doesn't.  Those two words are Purpose and Determination.  

DETERMINATION 

Determination is a word that may be easy to say, but not so easy to execute.  Which is the reason why so many experts and professionals quote it as a necessary quality needed to succeed.   While we think we may know what determination means, often times it is more of a generalized term or concept in our head.

The dictionary defines determination as:  "firmness of purpose; resoluteness" 

Which is why these two words go together.  You can't have one without the other.  They are in a sense married, and go together like peanut butter and jelly.  Like Laurel and Hardy.  Like...well, you get the idea.  Determination starts when your purpose encounters obstacles and challenges.  Any purpose without challenges is not much of a purpose.  When you encounter challenges,  is when the level of your  determination will be tested.  Your level of determination can actually determine who you are as a person, and what you will accomplish in this life.  Low levels of determination will produce little more then survival.  While high levels of determination, can produce a life worth living.

PURPOSE

One of the struggles early on in my life, was to have a clear and defined purpose for my actions.  Without a clear and defined purpose it becomes easy to drift, and rather difficult to be resolute at anything.  Your purpose, in the sense of your doing-ness in life, must be something that inspires you! Almost as much as breathing.  You don't think about breathing, you just do it.  Your purpose is such.  It's not something you have to think about because it is a part of who you are as a person.

If you are unsure of that, then that's when it becomes necessary to find a good coach, guide, or mentor to help you.  Btw, I happen to be available if you should qualify to be one of my students.  Luckily, I've had a few great teachers and mentors in my life, and who have given me the tools necessary to teach effectively.

So it takes both, purpose and determination, to accomplish anything significant in life.  Especially if it is something that requires a consistency of effort over a period of time.   Which is what it takes to win a WSOP bracelet in 2011.

Hope to see you in the winners circle this year!

Kenna James

Last Months Meanderings

It's been a month since I posted my last blog, and I apologize to those faithful readers who make the effort to tell me how much they enjoy it.  I love to write, but as a perfectionist, it takes a lot of time to quantify and lay out my thoughts on a page that serves a greater purpose then dumping the meanderings of my daily life.  That said, here are some of my meanderings in the past month.

Fast Eddie Felson, a mentor of mine, who is better known publicly as "Fast Eddie," Felson, has agreed to make a rare public appearance in speaking at my first Live Poker and Life Seminar at The Silverton Casino in Las Vegas in July.  The subject will be on how to become a professional.  The material which I've been in developing with Eddie is awesome, and I am looking forward to really making an impact on those players who really want to learn and understand what it takes, and how to do it.  It's not the kind of material you will find in any book, I can assure you.  Eddie's main purpose in teaching is help people operate and manage better, and I'm confident you will find his presentation compelling.

With only two weeks before the World Series,  I'm still looking for a sponsor for the series.   The one I had lined up backed out, so after training hard the last 3 months both physically and mentally, I may now have to play a different schedule of events then I had hoped.  Years ago I would have been crushed, but after 12 years, you learn to roll with the ups and downs of the business.

Heading to Vegas this weekend to support the Saphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer.  There's a poker tournament Sunday night at the Saphire Gentlemen's Club in Las Vegas, which I will be running and giving poker lessons.  Then a golf tournament on Monday which should be a hoot with the girls of Saphire acting as caddies.  The club has bought out the whole golf course, so it should be a lot of fun!

I was in the second row of the debut of the Glendale Pops Orchestra last night.  Kenny Loggins and David Benoit were the featured artists and they were awesome!  I also got to meet and go back stage with David Cassidy in another concert earlier this month.

On a rather personal note, this last month saw the death of my uncle George.  He was a great man, and a true cowboy.  Then there was the death of online poker which was a significant blow professionally. But I've learned that even though their are big swells, and low troughs in the games of poker and life, you don't have to rise and fall emotionally through the journey.  You just need to learn how to navigate and manage well.  I'm doing the best I can, and I hope you are too.

Enjoy the Journey,

Kenna James

Michigan Poker Monster Episode 3

I recently did a spot on this podcast Michigan Poker Monster.  Fun interview, and you gotta love their mascot!  Awesome baby, check out this monster!

Michigan Poker Monster Episode 3

Advancing my Blogging Skills

I'm in the process of learning some advanced strategies in Blogging.  Okay, maybe not so advanced for some of you experts, but for me, a bit challenging.  I'm talking about posting video's, pics. etc., right into my blog with the goal to provide more interesting and dynamic content for my readers.  Please bare it lol, or with me rather, while I work out the kinks in my game.  I hope you enjoy the content.  So I'm starting with the basics.  Such as this video, which covers the basic components that make up any game.

Here is a video I recently shot that is also available on my youtube channel.  Please feel free to leave your comments and any suggestions for any topics you would like to see me cover in short 2-3 minute videos.

Welcome Michigan Poker Monsters!

Welcome my fellow MIchiganders!

I'm going to be a guest on Frank Panama's Podcast in just about 30 minutes and wanted to give a shout out to those that stop by to visit my blog.  PLEASE leave a comment just saying HI and if you heard the show.  Also click the subscribe button on the page here and you can get notice when a new blog is posted.

I'm looking forward to the interview and sharing some stories growing up in Michigan and how I came to be a professional poker player.  To get in the mood I'm playing online right now and listening to the soundtrack of Across the Universe - The Beatle themed movie.

The most important thing you need to know about me is that I teach.  What do I teach?  How to work your way out of Michigan playing poker! lol.  I mean nobody is in MIchigan that really wants to live there is there?  Except for my brothers and sisters perhaps.  Just kiddin' - I love Michigan - cough...cough...except for the whether.  Being in Southern California the past 25 years has definitely thinned my blood.  

Question:  Is it true that they are thinking about turning Detroit into farm land?  

Alright, no jokes there.  Anyway, welcome to my blog.  Hope you come back and visit, and look forward to your comments and shout outs!  If you would like to subscribe to my FREE weekly newsletter with Tips and Strategies - just email:  michele_mcleod@hotmail.com with the subject - Subscribe.  Keep the chips piled high and make sure to -

Enjoy the Journey!

Kenna James

www.winningatpoker.net

MEALS WITH “FAST EDDIE”

Last night I had dinner at Triple George’s, the finest steakhouse in downtown Las Vegas, with “Fast Eddie.”  The same “Fast Eddie Felson,” that Paul Newman portrayed in the movies, “The Hustler,” and “The Color of Money.”  I know him simply as Eddie, and he has been both a mentor, and a friend over the past three years, while I've had to face some rather difficult personal challenges.  You may have heard of the book “Tuesday’s with Morrie,” well, I have “Meals with Eddie.” 

While enjoying our meals, Eddie imparts valuable life lessons and gaming techniques, which are invaluable in learning to operate and manage more effectively in life.  It seems a crime to keep these lessons to myself,  and I got the idea to put on a seminar-workshop to bring some of these winning techniques to the poker market at large.  So last night, I asked Eddie if he would be willing to come out of retirement for a Special Engagement and share the stage with me.  He said YES!

The kind of material that we will present will not be something you will be able to find in a book.  This will be a very special, interactive multi-media seminar-workshop, on how to win at the game you’re playing.  We’ll secure the venue in the next couple of weeks, and plan to hold it the first week of June, as a kick-off to the WSOP.

At this point I’m still putting my support team together, so if you’re reading this and you have any special skills that can contribute to staging this dynamic event, please let me know.  I would be happy to speak with you.  I’ll blog from time to time on the development of this special event.  Let’s hope that you will be able to join us in Vegas in early June!  This just may be the missing link, and the one lesson you need that will take your game over the top, and make this World Series of Poker memorable.

Enjoy the Journey!  

KJ

P.S.  Hit the SUBSCRIBE button to have an alert sent to you when I have a new blog post.

My Thinking and Play of a Hand during The Sunday Millions

This past Sunday I played in Poker Stars Sunday Millions tournament.  $215 buy in NL event with a 5 million guarantee!  56,000 people showed up!  I went pretty deep, finishing 970^th for a $1700 payday.  1^st place paid over 1.6 million dollars and as if that wasn’t enough, a brand new Lamborgini.  I had many interesting hands along the way, but I thought I would pick one out and talk about my thought process during the play of the hand.

BLINDS 4,000-8,000/ 1K Ante                         

MY STACK:             350K

MY POS:  CUT-OFF

OPP STACK:  420K

HIS POS:  High-jack

THE HAND:  A7

Opponent raises to 22k, I Re-Raise making it 75k to go, everyone folds and I win a 43K pot moving my stack from 350k to 393k. 

MY THINKING:

A7 is obviously far from a premium hand on a full table, and shrinks up even more facing a raise.  However, there were a few elements that existed that made this situation perfect for this profitable play.

First item of consideration was my opponent’s hand frequency.  It was above average and with one of the bigger stacks at the table, I figured his range to be wide. 

Second item of consideration was OPP table position.  He was in late position.

Third item comes from seeing the situation from in his perspective.  The Big Blind was short stacked with 82k and a regular size raise would put the big blind in a tough spot to call or raise without a premium hand.  From his perspective a raise would be profitable often enough with almost any two cards. 

Fourth item of consideration was that my move was un-exploitable.  If my opponent 4 bet or shoved on me, I could safely fold and still be in okay position in the tournament.  For him to re-raise me without a real hand based on the size of my stack seemed improbable.  My play would force him to a premium hand and put him in a tough spot calling out of position with any mediocre hand for a large percentage of his stack.

Fifth item of consideration was taking advantage of the situation to keep up with the quickly increasing blinds.  Not waiting for a hand, but aggressively looking to hold my slightly above average chip position in the tournament. 

These were the five items of considerations and evaluations before deciding to execute my decision to make my play and raise.  Unfortunately there were a couple of situations I didn’t taken advantage of because the margins for error were too small.  As a result, I became hand dependant and allowed my stack to dip too low before taking a stand with pocket 88’s in back position versus KK’s pre-flop and hit the rail.

Enjoy the Journey!

Kenna James

www.winningatpoker.net

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A Life of Opposites

A Life of Opposites

A teacher once said to me, “Do the opposite of what you think you should be doing, and you’ll be closer to the truth.”  When you look at the quote carefully, one could easily surmise that it is our thoughts that betray the truth.  In studying other teachers that I follow I have discovered a similar theme in their messages as well. 

“Be wary of your thoughts, lest they lead you astray.”  KJ

I just came up with that maxim as a way to measure my thoughts, as I would a dose of medicine.  When I manage my thoughts, I find that I am more productive then when they manage me.  Take the thought, “I’ll do it when I feel like it.”   If I don’t get to managing that thought, pretty soon I won’t feel like doing anything!  In having faith in my teachers, and employing their lesson, I experiment with the opposite thought.  “I’ll feel like it when I do it!”  For those of us that identify and are out of balance with our feelings, this simple exercise of changing the way you think can be quite challenging. 

Dr. Wayne Dyer says, and I quote:  “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”  Not necessarily promoting the opposite as much as shifting perspective.  Byron Katie has built a very successful practice on the principle of the “Turn Around,” looking at things from the opposite perspective.

In a desire to operate and manage life more effectively I have found this to be a difficult, but rather rewarding practice.  Here’s a couple of more “thought patterns” (if you have any of them) to manage and “turn around,” in an effort to be more productive. .

#1  I’ll believe it when I see it.   –

                         I’ll see it when I believe it.

#2  It’s easier said then done  - 

                        It’s done easier then said

#3  When I understand the purpose, I’ll take action  - 

                                    Take action and the purpose will be understood

Challenging our thoughts and beliefs, and practicing opposite patterns of behavior doesn’t have to lead to confusion.  It can lead to greater understanding, growth and maximizing our potential.  

Kenna James

Morning Coffee

While making coffee this morning, I spilled a half a cup of water on the floor. “Damn it,” I quietly exclaim to walls of the empty kitchen; announcing my ineptness to complete the simple task, of completing the pour into the coffee pot reservoir. 

I immediately head for the paper towels to confront the mess.  I kneel down, and begin the mop up job.   I resign and commit myself to the minor task, when I take note of how easy it is with the wet towels, to attract the excess dirt and the food remnants, that have made a home against the running board.  With a few extra wipes I realize the resourcefulness of my mistake. 

“Ah, that’s nice.”  I thought.  I turned a little mess into a slightly cleaner kitchen.  A slight smirk makes its way across my face, and I feel good about my modest efforts.  I enjoy a sip of coffee as I make my way into the next room.   

When I’m able to change my perception that quickly, and see what appears to be a negative as a positive,  I know it's going to be a good day.  Anything perceived as “bad,” can quickly fade.  It’s like turning on the light in a dark room.  The darkness disappears.  Now, where's that switch?

Enjoy your day!

Kenna 

www.winningatpoker.net

Replacing Luck with Skill

The Math of Poker

Finding the balance of Odds and Probabilities

If you’re like me, just the word math, makes me cringe.  That may sound weird for a poker player, but my game has always been more weighted towards the psychology of the game with a basic understanding of the math.  So for those of us that are mathematically challenged, I’ll share some of the questions and answers I’ve prepared for my students. Btw, if you would like to study with me, you can email me at www.winningatpoker.net, and set up a free interview to determine if I can help you reach your poker/life goals.

The easies way to get started is by asking some basic questions about the type of math that is used in poker.  Questions like;

What’s the difference between odds, probabilities and percentages?  How do you balance these and which one is best to use?  Think of these three terms as different expressions of the same language.  They are simply different mathematical expressions, used for various purposes of calculating the likelihood of an event occurring.

Since poker is about making better decisions then your opponents, calculating the likelihood of a positive event occurring is crucial. But handling and changing them from one to another, for some, can be like trying to change your partner.  Just not that easy to do.  However, I will give you a couple of tips to make it easy.  

Probability is about an event occurring over a total number of events.

Think:  (Chances for)(Total Chances)

Odds is the likelihood of a single event occurring against it not happening.

Think:  (Chances for)(Chances against)

In Odds, 4-1 means you are getting 4 for every 1.  

In Probability terms it means that the event will occur 1 out of 5 times, or 20%.  

If you calculate that the event will happen more then 20% of the time, and still get 4-1 on your money, then you are in a situation in which you have a positive expectation.

Some people find it easier to see things in the form of odds, while others can visualize things better if expressed in probability or percentages. 

  

Here’s a good way to remember how to change probability into odds. Remember that the answer is in the question.  1 “OUT OF” 5 = 4.  1 out of 5 then becomes 4-1 odds. 1 out of 3, becomes 2-1, etc.  Divide the front number into 1 and you will have your percentage.  

If you’re still with me, then let’s look at an example of how we can use odds and probabilities to overcome the "luck" factor in poker.

Is it probable that someone of average skill who plays in a tournament 50 times, in a 50-player tournament, will win at least one time?  The answer of course is yes. However, should you take a bet in which someone is offering you, say 75-1 to win in any one 50-player tournament?  While gamblers would say, "absolutely, you got the edge!" the answer actually is that it depends.  

What are the odds of someone with avg skill winning in a single try?  49-1.

So should you take it?  True, you do have the edge, but will you profit from that edge, or fall off?  Since the odds are 49-1, it’s obviously a long shot. So one must also take in the probability factor of it occurring at all, before making any bet. 

An edge is mitigated when you don’t have enough trials of the proposed event. In this case, you would want to make sure you would have at least 50 “goes” in the long run to give yourself a reasonable shot at realizing your edge. And with standard deviation, 50 might not even be reasonable enough.

So, to take out the "luck," factor,  you have to make sure that when taking odds in any situation that the probability of it occurring is in your favor.  In that instance you not only have edge but you have probability.  The two together, balanced with proper perspective and a good attitude, will replace luck.

Kenna James

www.winningatpoker.net

The Death of a Cycle is a New Life

This is my 3^rd and final installment on cycles.  Many things happen in sets of 3, have you noticed?  Even life itself is in 3 parts.  It has a beginning (birth), middle (experiences), and an end (death).  Which of course the latter part we don’t like to talk about.  Lol. However,  I have a new perspective on death these days that I guess comes with maturity.   It is that you can’t have life without death, they are interdependent of each other.  

I realized that one of the major reasons I had trouble completing things is that I didn't want them to come to an end.  However,  realizing the death of one cycle is simply the beginning of a new one, has liberated me from that excuse. lol.  The deeper my understanding of this goes,  allows me to complete things and move on rather then "hang on for dear life," and leave things unfinished. 

This is the “poker life,” blog so I will indulge so as to make the connection to poker.  Any effective poker strategy must come from the understanding that you have to be "willing to die in order to live. "  Operating then is a liberating and freeing experience in which there is no fear of loss. This allows you to act intellectually, rather then emotionally clinging to something you don’t want to let go of, such as your chips, or the poker experience itself.

Back to my topic of 3’s - A play or movie has a “BME” cycle - beginning, middle and end.  The timing of a good joke happens in beats of 3. This pattern of 3’s has a natural rhythm to it.  And so I have come to understand that the pattern in which I operate well, called my growth cycle is to; Study – Learn – Grow.

A problem can develop when a person gets stuck in one area of this cycle.  As a coach, my job is to help a person get “unstuck,” and strategize with them on how to engage the next step in that process.  I've noticed that each person’s challenges are different.

One person may stop studying, which affects their learning, and thus inhibits growth.  Another may do a lot of studying but doesn’t apply the lessons, and as such doesn’t learn.  Their problem may be in fear of the application process of doing something with what they are studying.  They consequently may not experience growth as quickly as they otherwise would if they applied their studies.

Yet a third person, who has studied and learned may still find growth stilted if they refuse to embrace the last, and most crucial step of this growth process; letting go.

And so it is time for me to “let go,” of this cycle of blogs (on cycles, lol) and move on.  When I complete and "let go," it clears the path and space for a new life of another cycle.  In this case, a new topic for my continuing Poker Life blog.  Thanks for joining me.

Enjoy the Journey,

KJ

www.winningatpoker.net

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Letting Go of Unfinished Business

Have you noticed that when you complete a cycle you feel lighter and uplifted?  Ask any women and she’ll tell you!  But I’m talking about cycles that by completing tasks, lead to an end.  So I’m in a cycle of blogs, writing about the importance of completing cycles. Lol.

The first one was titled, “finish what you start.”  But let’s just say that you have 20 things you’ve started and are at some stage of development, what do you do? 

A key strategy might be to make a list of any unfinished cycles. Then, like cleaning out a closet, separate them out.  Then, prioritize and determine which cycles you really would like to complete.  If your closet is too full, then get in there and clean it out.  I’m talking about the closet of your mind here.  For it's those nagging thoughts in our minds of things being incomplete that can weigh us down and moving slower.  

Have a process of how to handle you’re unfinished cycles.  This is one type process you could use;

1.  Write out each major cycle on a 3x5 card

2.  Put cards in order of priority

3.  Determine which cycles you no longer want to complete.

4.  PLAN TO COMPLETE OR RELEASE

Don’t forget that you can reach completion by letting go.  Physically burn any uncompleted cycles.  If you no longer want to hold onto them and work on them, this will then complete them in your mind, and the thoughts of being incomplete will no longer weigh you down.   You should let them go if the cycle no longer holds your interest or if it isn’t on your current path of purpose in life.  Letting go, is a key component to growth. 

Finishing what you’ve started, or Releasing old uncompleted cycles is the first step.  Step 2 is to only start what you intend to finish.  In this way we’ll be operating more effectively in what we do and consequently feel more productive and better about ourselves.  Try it and observe.   

Kenna

www.winningatpoker.net

Finish what you Start

This post will start a series of blogs on the importance of cycles, and the techniques on how to effectively manage and complete them.

Understanding cycles, and being aware of the pattern can be very helpful in leading you to success.  A cycle is defined as having 3 components: 

A beginning, middle, and an end.  You must have all three to complete a cycle.

The secret of success is completing cycles.  For when you complete a task you’ve started, you’ve achieved a measure of success.  The challenge is in completing cycles.  People in general don’t like to complete things, and for various reasons. Being an idealist who overestimated his abilities, I can relate.

The importance of completing cycles can be realized by observing successful people. People, who are successful, have learned the secret of how to bring things to completion.

I’ve noticed about myself that I overestimate my abilities to complete even the most simple tasks and intentions. Take, for example, making a phone call.  How simple can it be to pick up a phone and call someone?  And yet, I’ll still hear myself say, “Oh, I’ve been meaning to call you!” 

Little things, left undone and incomplete, tend to accumulate and weigh heavy on our consciousness.  That weight can slow us down.  And since power in the physical universe is about speed and force this is a significant inhibitor.  I now realize the power behind the truth of the successful old adage;  “finish what you start.”

Kenna

www.winningatpoker.net

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Morning Motivation

Some days it can be hard to get out of bed.  Especially if you don't have a clear direction of where you are heading or if it is to a job working for someone else.  Brian Tracy said, "The biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is to think we work for anybody but ourselves."  


We do the things we do for a reason, even if that reason is to just pay the bills.  One of the keys to success is to turn that reason into a purpose and then grow your purpose instead of getting stuck in your reasons.  


Check out Eric Thomas motivational video below.  I shared this with my son at breakfast this morning and thought of posting it here for you.  Each morning at breakfast we share a motivational or success video to jump start our day.  Don't think about clicking it just "dive in," the water is warm.  You'll know what I mean by that when you watch the video.


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Tuesday the 11th (6 p.m. Pacific) I am hosting a FREE webinar called "The Secrets of Professional Poker Players."  If you would like to join just shoot me an email at www.winningatpoker.net and I'll send you the hyperlink the day before in an email in which all you'll have to do is click to join and listen.


Make the Effort and the rest is easy!  


KJ

Secret To Success