A true professional player mindset

Went to swim yesterday TWICE with Superman. In the first session, I double up early with KK. Raised to $20 and got 1 caller. Flop K xx with 2 clubs. The guy lead out for $20, I put him on draw/ K / or set. I re-raised to $60 and he shoved. I called instantly and he had flush draw. My trips held up. I didn't have much hands and Superman as usual, ATC everything under $15. He busted at the end.

After dinner, we went back to the Pond again coz the Master was there. I watched the Master played a bit on the rail but he was struggling. He was down to like $70. I knew he had no more bullets, so I made him an offer. I will stake him the same amount at the table and we go 50/50. The Master had a long thought and said wait until he built up to like $100. OK for me, but soon after he triple up. There were 2 seats open at his table and he BAGGED me to sit in there. No problem!

I donked away my first bullet, then re-buy. Nothing much going right to me, and soon after Superman also joined our table. The table was wild, a guy from Sydney was outrages. You can tell straight away he is a MOPS. The highest form of MOPS, MAFIA MOPS. After a few orbits, this hand came up.

Master open raised to $10. I sat next to him and I re-raised to $20 with my KQ. From what I knew from his pattern, he had either small pair, sthooted connector or Sthooted Ace. Hopefully we can drive someone out, plus making the pot a bit bigger. No one can call 2 raises without at least a pair, or AK, AQs AJs. Higher pair will shove, and we had everything under control. Unfortunately, everyone folded. So me HU with the Master! Flop Q J 6 with 2 spades. All of the sudden Master shoved all-in for $75. Should I fold? Why shoved? Normally I would bet $25 at most on the flop, if he called, I am willing to check it down. One thing for sure, I knew he didn't have AQ, KK or AA. QJ is a possibility, or 66 flopping a set. Most of the time my KQ would be in front. If he had one of those hands, I'm willing to pay him off. Most likely he could have KQ, Q 10 or draw. Why should I let my hand go when I am in front? After a lot of deliberation, I called. He turned over Ks 10s. Turn was spade and I lost.

Was I upset? Not at that time, but I was extremely disappointed afterwards when he said this to me. " When I shove, I hope you would go away! I have a big draw, no way I am folding." By the way correct me if I am wrong. You know I am going to play soft with you, so everytime you shove, I must fold. If that's the case, I have no chance in winning. Secondly, I hit and you were on draw, so you try to semi-bluff me out. Are you trying to rob me knowing that I will be soft against you? If I had AK or AJ sort of hands, I will lay it down. What happen if I have AA KK or flopping trips? Should I still lay it down?

I busted soon after. On the way back, Superman asked me a question. "Why would the Master go so hard at you when only you 2 in the pot? He only had a draw." I told him I don't really know the answer. Maybe I can be pushed around, but one thing for sure, he wanted the pot. He wanted the money inside, and he was desperate.

So for $75, I have learnt a valuable lesson. The lesson about the "True professional mindset!" No matter what game or sport you play, it is not a game. You are in the battle field. You should try to kill all you opponents in order to succeed. Try to play soft against you mates will result you in failure. You should fight for every chips in the pot. If you see a soft spot, you should pull the trigger. Playing friendly against your mates are just Wishful Thinking on my parts. Since the Master had such a big draw, no way he was going to fold. You can put a gun in his head, he still wouldn't fold. Put a gun in his GF's or his son's head, he might ask you to pull the trigger, so they won't see him shipping his stack into the pot. That's the true professional mindset, you always go for the kill. Whoever is on your way, they should be executed! I don't call it professional, but I call it " The Dark Side Of Human Nature."

Went back home, felt so disappointed. Donk away my $30 in Full Rig, the guy hit a 1 outer when I had him crushed on the flop. My Top set, vs his middle set, and he spiked his 1 outer on the turn. I were really on tilt at that time, went to play BJ at Bodog, and lost another $50. Took some stupid bet at Partybets and lost another $70. Took $60 bet in MLB at IAS and this morning the Dodgers/Cubs went Under 8 and won some back.

With $112 at PS, I sat down in a 25c/50c NLH table and won like $10. Donk $24+ in 2-7 low ball, then put my last $100 in 50c/$1 PLO. Surprisingly I killed the table, and built my stack to $240. Busting 2 mushroom stack on the way and they all left. So the night finished with a bit of joy for me. Before I went to bed, I also opened a eToro account (Forex and Commodities trading). Deposite $500 in it, and this morning they are giving me a heart attack.