Interpreting Poker Academy 2.0 Data

I should probably use the software more often, but after looking at my statistics on Poker Academy 2.0, I understand partially why I've been as inconsistent as I have been. Even though you can't play for money on Poker Academy's software, I try to play the exact same way I would play in a live cash game or multi-table tournament, so the results are very believeable. By the way, these stats are based on about 400 hands or so.

My pre-flop percentage, in my opinion, is probably the most solid part of my game right now. Sure, sometimes I can switch gears and become maniacal, but I'm proud that I'm only seeing 22% flops (this is probably tournament data, and I'd say add 10% in a cash game). Every time I sit down against new players I immediately have a solid image. Until I see a flop.

While my pre-flop percentage is great, my post-flop aggression is insane! On a 4.0 scale, I scored an 8.7 in aggression. Some poker pundits would applaud that and repeat the old adage, "The hand doesn't begin until the flop." As I've probably mentioned before, aggressive post flop play can be your savior or your ride to the ATM. I've been guilty many times of trying to be too creative and pick-up pots. Maybe it's because I don't play nearly as many flops as I used to and I'm trying to over-compensate and takedown every pot I enter. I don't know.

Also, my won showdown percentage is pretty inconsistent at 57%. Ideally I'd like that number to be at least 65-70% (of course, ideally 100% is cool, too). I can think of two reasons why this number isn't higher than it is. First, and this is something I'm still trying to master, often I get into situations where if I bet and I'm called I'm beat. This happened to me twice when I was in Atlantic City this past week. Once I held queens and the board was 10-9-8-7-X. Dude bet $40 and I moved all-in for about $130. The reason I did it was because I strongly felt like he didn't have a jack and that I could push him off the hand. It took him awhile, but he called with pocket sixes. Strong call.

The second incident happened pretty much as a result of the first incident. I limp with A-6 of clubs (a mistake in itself) and nobody raised behind me. Flop comes 4-3-2, two spades. Small blind bets $15 and all five of us called (I guess I called with a gutshot and a backdoor flush draw with the intention of bluffing on the turn). Turn is a 10 of spades. Small blind bets $30, and after one caller, I make it $90. Ryan, sitting to my left, agonizes and folds (he later told me he folded the wheel). Small blind thinks for a minute and calls. Dude in front of me folded.

The river is a complete blank. Small blind checks. How do you follow a $90 bet? "All-in," I say as I lean back in my chair feigning strength. It takes him a long time, but he made the call with 6-5 of spades. Afterwards, he says to me, "If I hadn't seen you make the play with those queens I would have folded."

Reason number two is that I committ another poker sin far too often: calling knowing I'm losing but paying for re-assurance that I was right. That's gotta stop.

About to go hit up a multi-table tourney. Wish me luck.