So, i don't really know anymore how people get good and stay good. I'm far from a pro, but I'd put myself in a low intermediate category, maybe even mid-intermediate. I guess that means I'm as good or better than half the players on the net.

Anyway, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling pretty poorly about poker right now. I haven't kept stats or anything like that, but I'm getting the feeling that I'm getting the % shaft right up the azz with splinters when it comes to crunch time. What is crunch time? When you put your tourney on the line. It's either double up or go out. I seem to be fairly good at reading boards, betting, factoring in position of bettors, chipstack size, etc. I would hazard a guess that I get all my chips in with the best of it about 60-70% of the time. What happens then is all luck, due to cards, right? Well, it feels like I'm losing about 70% of my hands in these races. Clearly, there are varied permutations of how things play out, but when you get your chips in with the best hand, you should expect to win at least half the time in any given situation, no?

Examples of getting knocked out:

KT vs K7, buddy hits a 7
QQ vs ATc, two clubs on board, club on river
KK vs 88, buddy hits a set
KK vs AQo, buddy hits backdoor flush (would have been less painful for him to hit an A)

Trust me, there are plenty more, but I'll spare you...

I'm less concerned about me losing with the worst hand. I expect to suck out occasionally, and I do, but I'm really getting the feeling that I am just plain unlucky. Advice, flamez, "didn't read" comments are all welcome. Your whiny bitc.h story can join mine, if you like.

ISO how to handle this ****, get a grip on understanding it, etc...

Peace!