Now what?

So, here it is, March 7, 2005. Still no Ferrari. Back in November, when I first started playing poker, it sure seemed easy. When in doubt PUSH! This stinking game keeps getting harder every day.

In the beginning of February I thought I would start taking poker ‘seriously’. No more SNGs, no more random MTTs. No limit $25 holdem ring all the way. According to poker tracker, with rake, I won -10 dollars. It’s going to take a long time to get rich at that rate. So far this month bonuses are keeping me in the green, but I’m not making any money.

On the other hand, my last deposit was $200 back in the middle of January. I’ve got just shy of a $500 roll thanks to bonus whoring. It’s not costing me anything to play, but I can’t seem to stay ahead.

Now what? If I keep treading water like this, variance will happen, and my roll will get blown away. I’m not sure what to do now. I still make mistakes. They have become less frequent, but I still flop a straight and bet into flushes. I lost a buy in just this morning that way.

I can accumulate chips slow and steady, and that seems to keep me afloat. But it doesn’t seem like ‘poker’. Is that the game? Take down a few small pots here and there, ride the rushes, try not to lose too much when the deck is cold. Is it all just efficiency at this point? Getting a few extra bucks on marginal hands. Getting away from second best hands faster. What should I look for now?

I pretty much ‘get it’. Rock tight UTG. Looser that a 2 dollar hooker on the button. I know I’m playing a few too many hands pre flop, and I’m not raising enough pre flop. My post flop game has come a long way. I guess I’ve got a lot of small problems that are costing me my profit.

Anyway, I’m coming up on 10k ‘serious’ hands. Nothing to show for it but a couple of books on poker.

Any thoughts? How did you move from ok to good?

Try playing a Prima site. Players are really bad so your mood will rise in pace with your stack. It really sucks when you´re getting nowhere, kinda like working out several times a week without any visible results. Maybe try some new poker rooms. Experiment with new tactics. Try rippy´s method of always raising to isolate if you are going to play a hand, I tried it and it´s nice. You feel much more like you are in control (and you are), and it´s much easier to put your opp on a hand, and make him do what you want when there is only one single opponent. Play for fun for a while, close down poker tracker and don´t care too much about results. Maybe move down a level. Good luck!

Originally Posted by whileone

I thought I would start taking poker ‘seriously’. No more SNGs, no more random MTTs. No limit $25 holdem ring all the way.
...
I can accumulate chips slow and steady, and that seems to keep me afloat. But it doesn’t seem like ‘poker’. Is that the game? Take down a few small pots here and there, ride the rushes, try not to lose too much when the deck is cold. Is it all just efficiency at this point? Getting a few extra bucks on marginal hands. Getting away from second best hands faster. What should I look for now?

I think you might benefit from jumping formats a little. I know I have. 25 NL rings can still be your thing, but I've found that my game improves every time i have to adapt to new settings, e.g. the party 800 chip SNG ick.

It'll also liven things up for your mind, so it doesn't seem like treading water. You should consantly be experimenting with your play, new ideas etc.

Originally Posted by LeFou

I think you might benefit from jumping formats a little. I know I have.

I might give 71m1t a spin. I think my "lots of small errors" would be easier to see, so I can plug those leaks. My occasional BIG error wouldn't be quite so catastrophic.

I've given NL four weeks of my time. A month of limit would probably help my post flop game, and my pot odds. As far as NL goes, I feel a little lost. I have a pretty good idea of where I stand, but I can’t see the path up the mountain. Limit might give me some, much needed, new perspective on how to win.

Limit is one of my favorite ways to find the small leaks that invade my game from time to time. It also helps you learn to play in the multiway pots that sometimes happen. Of course for the big leaks that I develop and battle (often). I have yet to find a better way than reading this forum.

Another problem I see here is that you seem to think of poker as a short term money winner. This game is made for those who are willing to invest the time and money to become better than the shmoe. I go through my I wanna quit stages and then I'll win 2-3 SNG's in a row. And i'm higher than a kite riding the wind. The only thing I think about at the table is winning. But when I step away from the table I remember that I played well. NO MATTER THE OUTCOME.

The learning stages are still coming for you. November is not a lot of time, breaking even at this point is a good sign that you are progressing well. Wait till May or June when your BR starts to soar and you start complaining about that stupid fish who sucked you out with a 2outer on the river. And then how you knocked him in the dirt and took it all back 2 hands later.

Let the money come to you. Stick with NL, be patient, and dont try to force it. Trying too hard to win money was my major downfall at first. Play cards first, and then let the money come.

In ring game you have to sit back and let the goods roll in