Bad Timing

Poker is a game that involves both skill and chance ands each decision you make will impact the outcome to some degree. As a poker player hopefully you are a student of the game, seeking to constantly get better. Leaning what to do in particular situations against certain opponents is part of the process of getting better. If you prefer playing cash games or poker tournaments there will always be situations when you make the right move but still lose. I am not necessarily talking about being drawn out on but this may also be the case. In poker, much like in life, timing is everything.

Everyone can remember the last time they looked down to see two red kings only to be pushed all-in by pocket aces. Perhaps there may have been a situation when you play late in an online poker or simply a live tournament and you have a shortstack and find a weak ace, push all-in hoping to pick up a pot and get called by someone with big slick. In short, there is really nothing you can do about situations like this; you are nothing more than a victim of bad timing. The only way you could possibly avoid bad timing is if you are on the button and see so much action in front you know you are behind. Even when acting with position there is no guarantee you will avoid the looming damage to your chipstack. For the most part bad timing is just part of life. You have to do the best you can with what you have.

What can be done to overcome timing? Unfortunately not much can be done to eliminate timing as a factor, but the effects of it can be minimized. For example, playing too passively during a poker tournament may put you in a shove or fold situation. Stealing a few pots with aggression can help you stay afloat and survive when you are card dead; preventing a shove with an undesirable hand. With position, if you take a few extra seconds to think about how a hand is being played out you might be able to correctly put your opponent on a hand and avoid pushing all-in when you are behind.