I am becoming convinced that in order to be a truly dominant player, one must separate himself entirely from the face values of his cards. After all, you aren't playing "cards," are you? The kind of people that fall in love with face cards, small pairs, and suited connectors are the same ones who become endeared to a game they don't understand. And that is the beauty of the beast, the fact that obvious amateurs will show no desire to learn or improve, yet will continue to open their wallets to play in a game they think they can compete in. It's as if a 5'9'' 160 lb. man with an ego issue decided to pay a couple grand to step onto the field in an NFL game. He has no idea what he's getting himself into. But what's truly beautiful is that the amateurs don't get their heads kicked in with such consistency that they want to quit playing poker- no, quite the opposite. The amateur will occasionally walk away from the tables with a few buy-ins, or maybe a tournament cash, and it will only fuel the fire in his mind that has always burned with the idea of success at the poker table. And he is hooked, just like the other millions and millions of players.
There is no room for egos at the table. You must be secure and confident in your decision making, but holding vendettas for other players and for past opportunities squandered will only felt you. Just like in everyday life, you must delicately tip-toe the line between confidence and arrogance, being exceptionally careful not to tread to far into either side of the spectrum.
One must not only exude the proper amount of self-assuredness, but also keep a proper game theory in the front of his mind. One must lay low, folding often and keeping quiet, waiting for his turn to strike. And then when that chance arises, CARPE DIEM! Swing the striking hammer of justice upon those who oppose you! But yet, know that most of the time you will still have to retreat, back to waiting for another chance at glory.
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As a side note, I played in two 5.50 9-player SNG's today. It was miserable. I made a hero play with 55 early in the first one, and made a play at a raggedy board on the turn when my opponent had bet into me twice. She had QQ. In the next tournament, I laid low for a while and raised in LP with AT. The button called, and so did the BB. The flop was 7-A-3, but something didn't feel right, so when the BB checked, I checked behind. The button checked as well, and I fired half the pot when another 3 fell on the turn. The button minraised (???), and I called hoping he had a diamond draw. The river was a 4, and I checked to his inevitable push. I was flummoxed, and I couldn't put him on any better Ace. He had the one hand I feared all along, A7, and I was out.
Now I'm playing limit hold'em in a ring game, waiting for my laundry to finish drying. I'll let you know how I did.
-The Gerk-
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