4.5k hands, +1k in cash, -200 in tourneys. Was up 2k at one point but then fell into what seems to be a pattern when I run good. I'm going to call this the 'heat check', which is a term used in basketball when a player hits a few shots so then takes a bad shot just to see if he's still on fire. I notice that I have this problem in poker and it's definitely costing me bigtime.

Case in point: I am up a bunch today, running good, playing good and then I have a sequence where I refuse to a fold a river because I think 'hey i'm running good maybe I am somehow good here' without actually making a logical river decision.



Examples:


No-Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (5 handed) - Hold'em Manager Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($209.85)
BB ($267.20)
UTG ($307.50)
MP ($197)
Hero (Button) ($198.15)

Preflop: Hero is Button with 10, 9
UTG bets $6, 1 fold, Hero calls $6, SB calls $5, 1 fold

Flop: ($20) Q, J, 8 (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $15, Hero calls $15, SB calls $15

Turn: ($65) A (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $49, Hero calls $49, SB calls $49

River: ($212) Q (3 players)
SB checks, UTG bets $237.50 (All-In), Hero calls $128.15 (All-In), 1 fold

Total pot: $468.30

Results:
Hero had 10, 9 (straight, Queen high).
UTG had A, Q (full house, Queens over Aces).
Outcome: UTG won $574.65



No-Limit Hold'em, $2.00 BB (5 handed) - Hold'em Manager Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($438.40)
Hero (BB) ($203)
UTG ($240.05)
MP ($210.45)
Button ($407.75)

Preflop: Hero is BB with 10, 9
1 fold, MP bets $6, 2 folds, Hero calls $4

Flop: ($13) 3, 9, 10 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $10, Hero raises $35, MP calls $25

Turn: ($83) K (2 players)
Hero bets $48, MP calls $48

River: ($179) 7 (2 players)
Hero checks, MP bets $121.45 (All-In), Hero calls $114 (All-In)

Total pot: $407

Results:
Hero had 10, 9 (two pair, tens and nines).
MP had J, Q (straight, King high).
Outcome: MP won $411.45




Tomorrow have to get up early for a doctor's appointment, then supposed to go skating at the outdoor rink (if I go I will take pics this time) and then hopefully can get in 4k hands. 4k seems to be a good mark where it doesn't feel like a marathon but it pushes me a bit beyond my normal comfort zone.