I have been playing hold'em for about 9 months now. Over this period, I have been a consistent loser. I have tried all types of games: sng's, $25.00 nl, .5/1,1/2,2/4,3/6,5/10, and tournaments (30 or less buy in). Over this period, I have lost thousands of dollars. I enjoy playing the game, but not at this price. I know I have the potential to be a winning player. I won an sng and I place in the top 80% in just about every tourney that I enter. It is just that every time I go up, I come crashing back down and lose it all. I have been trying to play fewer starting hands, about 30 %. I think I just get bored when I am folding all of the time and that is probably one of my biggest problems (patience). What is a good percentage of hands to play? Maybe playing multiple screens will make me less bored and give me a better chance of playing only premium hands. I would like someone to explain their fundamental strategy so that I can see how much mine differs. My basic strategy is this: I will raise any pair 10's or above, I will typically raise with ak, aq, and aj, I will also play suited connectors such as Q9, J9, 109, etc. Once the flop is down, i will typically bet a small amount with a middle pair or straight or flop just to feel everyone out. I will typically call a bet on a flush/straigh draw or middle pair in an attempt to pick up two pair, if it is cheap compared to the pot. This strategy is obviously not working. Someone please give me some insight .[/img][/url]