4-16-26

I’ve been trying to find a rhythm that actually sticks, and today’s session felt like a massive step in the right direction. I started out with just one table for the first 20 hands—a “slow burn” to get my head in the game—and then layered on more tables every 20 or 30 hands until I hit four. That ramp-up is huge for me; it keeps me from feeling overwhelmed and lets me actually process the action.

Where I Was Sharp

At the start, my head was exactly where it needed to be. I wasn’t just looking at my cards; I was actively thinking about ranges. I was asking myself, “What does my range look like here based on my pre-flop action?” and “What is his range capped at on this board?” That’s the level I want to play at consistently.

The Fade & The Fix

However, I noticed a definite “fade” as the session went on. That deep analytical thinking started to dissipate, and I caught myself slipping into autopilot. I had a glass of wine—minimal, but enough to notice. Honestly, it’s probably not a good idea. It’s relaxing, but it definitely trades off that sharp edge I need for 6-max. To fix that “mental fade,” I think I need to start doing a vocal logic check. If I can’t explain the range interaction out loud, I’ve probably lost the thread and need to drop a table. I also need to make a hard rule about the wine—save it for the “win” after the session, not during the work.

The Test

The real test came when I called off with pocket 8s on a 10-high board and ran straight into a set. It stung. Usually, that’s where I start to unravel, but I caught the tilt trigger immediately. I recognized that “this is where I usually blow it” feeling, took a breath, and stayed calm. Even though my game degraded a bit toward the end, I kept my composure. The plan moving forward:

• Keep the graduated table entry (it works).
• Ditch the wine—I need the prefrontal cortex at 100%.
• If I feel the range-thinking slipping, I’m dropping back down to 2 tables immediately to regain focus. Ended the session in the green, but more importantly, I’m starting to see exactly where my mental leaks are. Case of “winning but could have played better,” which is a good place to be.