Meaningful Results or Random Walk?

Since making the small game modification I referred to a few posts back, I've now taken a profit at eight of the last nine sessions of 1/2 I've played. And the one losing session was the infamous double runner runner boat episode.

Have I uncovered the keys to the kingdom? I doubt it. (And obviously the answer to that question matters.) Still, it's a pretty interesting turnaround story. But in the meantime, there are some very good reasons to rejoice in the new game experience.

The first, and perhaps compelling, is that my current approach leaves me much more relaxed. I am enjoying playing more than ever. It also allows me some breathing room to "work the table." Last night at Bally's and IP I was able to ham it up something fierce, disarm my opponents, and then sneak up and whack them with the money stick... all while everyone was having a good time. Harmless little ol' me took the profits and everyone was still smiling. One nice man from Alaska even generously "coached" me at IP to help me improve my pre-flop decisions. Wasn't that sweet of him?

I'm now persuaded that it is much easier to make money between 10pm and 5 am than any other seven hour block of time. I don't know whether it's sustainable as a lifestyle, but it's hard to argue with the numbers, as my hourly winrate more than doubled during the late-night period. I have always been a night owl, and I have considerably better mental stamina than average. At that hour, I'm still playing my B+ game, while everyone else is lucky to muster a D game.

I have also have truly learned the lesson of the table change. There is no excuse in Vegas for sitting at a table full of iPod-wearing, sunglass-sporting, grim-faced poker dweebs. I will move at the first opportunity to the table where people are having fun, telling stupid jokes, laughing and flirting with each other, and generally having a grand night out. I am not, by natural inclination, an extravert ~ but if my livelihood is at stake, you bet I'm gonna chat up the people around me. No need to worry about me, sir! I'm just a fun-loving web designer from Washington, DC!

And that's just one reason for another practice I'm starting to take seriously: befriending staff at the ponds where the fish gather. I have now started introducing myself to some floor people and dealers, and soliciting suggestions from them about which tables seem promising. I am genuinely glad to make their acquaintance, and I always treat them with respect and cheerfulness, no matter their level of competence. As a result, there are already a few places here where I am recognized and treated well as a regular. (Which, to be honest, both cracks me up and delights me.) If I lived here, I'd definitely be buying gift cards for some of these folks' birthdays or Christmas or whatever.

I'll be very interested to see if my game tweak plays well at home too. The crowd that shows up at underground games tends to be tougher and more committed to the game and much better informed than the average low-limit casual player. But every time I come back from Vegas I feel like I've learned a whole lot, and it will be interesting to see how it changes my experience in my local games.