I've noticed this in myself before but not for a long time, because I've actually been getting better at 1-2nl micros. However it used to be the case, and I'm sure still is, that when I get up against someone who thinks fast and is aggressive and just is a difficult opponent, I feel the need to go after them more; obviously to my detriment. I.e, I get off of fundamentals.

Does anyone have any useful advice or perspectives on this kind of thing? Maybe its like a competitive type thing, or just a sense of not wanting to be pushed around. Either way it's a new sub-conscious leak I've identified, and I want to start taking steps to getting to know it so I can surpass it.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

a broken clock is correct twice a day. that's what does through my mind when someone plays well against me for a few hands in a row

just remember that most of your winnings comes from players worse than you, then you might focus your attention on those players rather than feeling the need to get into a dick swinging contest for no reason

lol, nicely put.

Can you tell us a little more about your background, i.e. how long have you been playing, do you play exclusively live or online, what stakes, what games, have you read books/watched videos/hired a coach etc? That might help us give you more specific, personaized advice.

sure thing.
Have been playing full ring micro 1-2 NL
pretty much exclusively online, started playing with friends about a year back, don't much anymore
have read some basic books, such as some of Sklansky's stuff, and some stuff by lou Krieger. Have watched some videos here and there too to get some understanding of concepts and how to go about things. Heard that hand analysis was important, every interview I saw with people like Dwan and Antonius and the rest said they did that, so basically now I played, look at my history, think about it and if I don't know I post in 9 ring. I haven't had a coach yet, no.

Have been playing online since about December last year. Starting to feel kind of comfortable at the ultra low stakes on pokerstars

The only time I "feel the need" to go after someone is when he is tons worse than me. At the micros its even worse to do that (believe me, I've been there).

As for the mental game, try to get a copy of Tommy Angelo's "Elements of Poker" or JAred Tendler's "The Mental Game of Poker". Both helped my mental game a lot, especially when trying to "play well" and still losing ;p

Move tables

I used to be the same way. I finally realized it is not worth it and throws your whole game off. When that happened I would play even tighter and get up and walk around, so I dont have the want to play like that against a certain player.

Just don't think about the tilt and let it get into your head it will ruin you completely. I have had situations where i have busted out of MTT's all day long then get frustrated and hop into a cash game play super loose and blow more money. Stay positive and keep a good attitude and don't let the frustration get a hold of you.

Cheers lads, good tips.
I'm not thinking about it too much, I usually just leave the table, I've gotten a bit better in that respect. I just have a sort of competitive streak here and it's blinding my reasoned play a bit. It's not a massive leak, but I'd llike to start working on it now before it does more damage down the road.

battling is the best way to improve, id still be stuck if i didnt play people better than me.

What works for me is to avoid the most difficult villains at the table as much as possible and to tangle with the fishier players, especially when in position, as much as possible. Leave ego at the door. Pissing contests can get expensive in a hurry. It's common sense.

Once a hand is finished and say you've lost the pot.... that money is history. Those chips are in someone else's stack now. They're not still "yours" that you need to get back asap. Don't chase losses by playing sub-optimally. Use the info you've acquired on your opponents to know how to properly exploit their leaks going forward, but don't do anything you wouldn't do if on your "A" game. It only likely compounds problems, unless you get lucky. Winning players rely on skill and skill always wins in the long run. Losers need luck. We must transcend the need to win and get it back "right now" and wait for the right opportunities instead. Every playing style can be exploited and you have to be smart and let things run its course in due time.

If you want to improve, I've found it's cheaper to study the best players' every move at the table. You don't necessarily have to tangle in pots with them to get better.

It's common sense really...if any part of your decision is ego based, your mental game needs fixing.

If you are looking to improve and test yourself, go ahead and stick around, just be aware you are playing without an edge, so it is decision biased towards optimising learning not profit.

If you a playing purely to gain (ie grind a role) move tables, especially if villain has relative position on you.

Frankly playing on a table with a good aggressive villain one or two spots to your left is practicing bleeding imo (unless you're stuck coz its a tourney or live or something). But I do agree with Mr Spew that battling better players some of the time is a necessary part of development, just not because your ego is running your brain.

Thanks a lot everyone. Fatboy and Mr Spew you guys have touched on an issue I was going to create separate thread on; the benefits of playing better plays as a -EV investment in your poker education (and comfort zone playing harder guys). The key is that you don't weigh the fact that he's 'pushing you around' on your decision making in so far that it's not like taking a stand against your parents for your right to party!