finishing a session strong

[bode]

so i made the switch from SnG's and donkaments over to ring about 3 weeks ago. Started at stars $25nl tables, and after being down 2 buyins after 5000 hands, i decided to transfer my roll over to party. while i have been doing better there (back to break even atleast), im still not playing to my potential.

the biggest problem i seem to have is donking off money at the end of a session. i usually 4 table sessions about 500 hands long, and in most cases im up a buy-in or 2 for the session. the problem comes when i am starting to close out tables and i get a hand like the one below. im up $7-8 or in some cases over $25, then i get way to aggro and lose a bunch of money, bringing me back to break even, or even worse, below what i started with.

this hand is an example of one of my many meltdowns at the end of a session.

any suggestions? should i shorten my sessions? im almost to the point of wanting to rathole my winnings so i dont do this shit.

#Game No : 5107637605
***** Hand History for Game 5107637605 *****
$25 NL Texas Hold'em - Tuesday, September 05, 13:59:26 ET 2006
Table Fine Print (Real Money)
Seat 10 is the button
Total number of players : 10
Seat 3: KhanSingh111 ( $11.39 )
Seat 5: vegas7930 ( $19.59 )
Seat 9: DOUGthe_HEAD ( $32.22 )
Seat 6: Giantbob ( $26.33 )
Seat 8: oldut ( $29.60 )
Seat 2: Antras ( $24.50 )
Seat 1: namrehsif ( $22.85 )
Seat 10: irawkhoes ( $24.65 )
Seat 7: BladeOnAce ( $4.90 )
Seat 4: haziszilva ( $24.75 )
namrehsif posts small blind [$0.10].
Antras posts big blind [$0.25].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to DOUGthe_HEAD [ Js Jh ]
KhanSingh111 calls [$0.25].
>You have options at Way Behind Table!.
>You have options at Table 95359 Table!.
haziszilva folds.
vegas7930 raises [$1].
Giantbob folds.
>You have options at Table 95359 Table!.
>You have options at Way Behind Table!.
BladeOnAce folds.
oldut folds.
>You have options at Table 95359 Table!.
DOUGthe_HEAD raises [$3].
irawkhoes folds.
namrehsif folds.
Antras folds.
>You have options at Way Behind Table!.
>You have options at Table 95473 Table!.
KhanSingh111 folds.
vegas7930 calls [$2].
** Dealing Flop ** [ 6c, 4c, 4h ]
vegas7930 bets [$6.30].
DOUGthe_HEAD is all-In [$29.22]
vegas7930 is all-In [$10.29]
** Dealing Turn ** [ 8h ]
** Dealing River ** [ 9c ]
vegas7930 shows [ Kc, Kh ] two pairs, kings and fours.
DOUGthe_HEAD shows [ Js, Jh ] two pairs, jacks and fours.
DOUGthe_HEAD wins $12.63 from side pot #1 with two pairs, jacks and fours.
vegas7930 wins $37.83 from the main pot with two pairs, kings and fours.
>You have options at Way Behind Table!.
Game #5107643676 starts.

[chewbaka]

Im in the same situation as you are. After playing for a month at 25NL. I'm up only one buyin. The situation you're in happens to me all the time. I think its about discipline. Its easy to think "yeah its ok to be over agro coz im ahead this session anyway, I want to double up to end the strong session". Overplaying big pocket pairs and big slicks kill my bankroll.

[bode]

just last night i was finishing up a 600 hand session, and i was up over 3 buy-ins for the night. i get dealt KK in the CO, raise it to $1. SB raises to $3. he probly thinks im trying to buy the pot, so i push. he calls and flips over AA.

GG me and $30 of my winnings.

[nutsinho]

when people raise 4xbb or more at party 25nl FR, assume they have QQ-AA unless you have a reason to believe otherwise

[biondino]

when people raise 4xbb or more at party 25nl FR, assume they have QQ-AA unless you have a reason to believe otherwise

Sorry, this is far too vague to be even remotely useful. When people who aren't obvious maniacs RE-raise pe-flop then you can usaully give them credit for QQ-AA (I'd add JJ and AK for most)

I've been at loads of party tables where the standard PFR is 6x. And, simply from a good poker PoV, having a raise of LESS than 4x just isn't usually going to get you the isolation you're normally after.

[bode]

when people raise 4xbb or more at party 25nl FR, assume they have QQ-AA unless you have a reason to believe otherwise

4xBB is my standard opening raise, and it seems like it is standard for most everyone on pary

[biondino]

I've been trying to think of an answer to the original post here. You're a good player, Bode, and I always enjoy your posts, so I'm surprised you have this kind of problem.

It's certainly possible you get overconfident or overreckless because you're up - I know I do sometimes, but being aware of the issue should allow you to control it.

Maybe you are getting tired or bored but don't realise? Maybe other things are subconsciously distracting you? I personally find that I play worst in the first 20 mins or so, then gradually get better over the next 1-2 hours and then, if I'm still playing, there's a fairly rapid deterioration due to either tiredness, boredom or playing scared (I am up a buyin or two and suddenly I'm hoping not to get JJ or AQ cos I'll have to take risks).

[bode]

im the exact opposite of you. i start out every session very strong. i almost always stack atleast 1 person in the first 1/2 hour, and then i go stagnant for a long period. this may be due to the small sample size, but it is a reoccuring trend i have noticed.

[Beck]

the biggest problem i seem to have is donking off money at the end of a session. i usually 4 table sessions about 500 hands long, and in most cases im up a buy-in or 2 for the session. the problem comes when i am starting to close out tables and i get a hand like the one below. im up $7-8 or in some cases over $25, then i get way to aggro and lose a bunch of money,

this used to be my problem too. What I usually do is place a post it note with my problem right infront of me on the computer screen. it usualy forces me to be aware of it so that I do not repeat it.

Make one that says "I do not have to end big" or something like that.

don't throw away your hard earned cash on stupid play. cause u know better then that, and the sticky will remind of that every time you play.

-beck

[bode]

thanks everyone for your input. i might try the post-it note thing.

even with the dumbass plays i make at the end of sessions, im still up 2 buy-ins + since moving to pary(although it should be 4 or 5).

im almost to 10k hands at $25nl, and when i reach it i will post my stats so i can get advice and maybe someone can point out some leaks to me. im not really that good at analyzing stats yet.

[BobbySalami]

I have this problem too, Can someone comment on the HH....is it an obvious fold there? There is no indication that you are beat there to KK, I would be more inclined to think it is AcKc or something.......

[IowaSkinsFan]

I fold hand one.

[bearcats05]

just last night i was finishing up a 600 hand session, and i was up over 3 buy-ins for the night. i get dealt KK in the CO, raise it to $1. SB raises to $3. he probly thinks im trying to buy the pot, so i push. he calls and flips over AA.

GG me and $30 of my winnings.

i wouldnt have pushed but dont feel like you are donking off chips when you get kk vs aa unless u know he probably has aa and went against your read especially at 25nl

[BankItDrew]

I don't see anything wrong with that hand. he's only got 40bb behind when he makes the pot 52bb, either fold or push.