Episode 21 - Observed Poker and How Do You Play AKs?

In episode 21, MTT Coach Gareth James and Peak Performance Consultant Dr. Tricia Cardner opened the show by discussing the recent mass shooting that occurred in Las Vegas. It is a very sad situation that is quite complicated by the gun laws in the USA. Gareth shared the UK perspective and Tricia outlined some of the criminological and psychological as well as legal issue that exist in the USA. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families at this difficult time.

After this sobering discussion, we launched into the show with Gareth answering a question about how to properly play AKs when we open a ~30bb stack from middle position and get 3-bet by a tight player in the cut-off. As with all spots in poker, it is good practice to consider all options. There are a few spots where flatting makes the most sense, but Gareth goes over the reasons why a 4-bet jam is the best play.

Then Tricia introduced a question from a listener named Bob who asked why he needs to have a backer or friend watching him in order to play his best. He notes that his play takes a hit when he doesn’t have the pressure of an observer on him.

There are many research studies that look at the variables that produce peak performance under pressure, but the latest research points to an enzyme in the brain (COMT) that keeps our dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex at proper levels. When we get a dopamine surge, the levels must come down and some of us have a variant of COMT that removes them very quickly and efficiently and some of us have a variant that is slow in removing them. Some of us are mixed, but most research focuses on the high and low as of this recording.

The findings indicate that if you have the hardworking, fast version, you will benefit from being in a pressure filled situation. If you have the slow, lazy variant, you will not respond as well to stress and pressure unless you have experience with playing under stress.

The research Tricia mentioned on Taiwanese students COMT levels and test performance can be found at:
Brain Cogn. 2009 Dec;71(3):300-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2009.07.011. Epub 2009 Aug 22.

Tricia then gave examples of how to manage your responses for each type. It is possible to improve your responses to stress whether you need to amp it up like Bob or tamp it down.

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