starting hands and position

hello, ive been playing for about 3 weeks now, the first two were spent trying to move up in the stakes to fast and losing 80 bucks. Then i found Beginners Digest, and got "poker tips that pay" by jonathan gelling, both of which really helped. during my best thousand hand run i was up 3 buyins at 2nl, then i got so happy i decided to play more hands and give a $1.50 back. at the end i was up about $4.50.

the only part of my game i cant decide on is my starting hands. i use rentons hands in BD as a guide but i dont stick to it. UTG and MP 2-5 raise with 99+,AJs+,AQo+,KQs+. CO raise with ATo+,A8s+,KJo+,KTs+. i cant decide on what i should limp after limpers with at CO, CO+1, and the button. for the most part i limp with 9Ts+. i will try to steal the blinds with anything if its folded to me on the button. i limp with all pairs in early position. im not sure if i should limp with anything other than that, because i hate playing out of position. ive been thinking about raising at the CO with hands like JTs+ if there are two or less limpers, so i can try to steal it if they miss. i havent done this yet because im just trying to build a BR, but i still try to steal orphan pots.

all input is welcome, thanks for your time.

There is pretty good advice for beginners in the free 101 and 102 video series at crushonlineholdem.com imo. Basically, to beat 2NL you just play tighter than tight.

Keep reading the digest, read a lost of the posts started by Spoonitnow, post hands that gave you problems (with reads and ranges please!). Practice putting your opponents on ranges and calculating your pot odds, equity and EV.

A good book to get you started on the math is no limit theory and practice by Sklansky. This is important, because at the micros, the game is very mathematical.

Originally Posted by daviddem

There is pretty good advice for beginners in the free 101 and 102 video series at crushonlineholdem.com imo. Basically, to beat 2NL you just play tighter than tight.

Keep reading the digest, read a lost of the posts started by Spoonitnow, post hands that gave you problems (with reads and ranges please!). Practice putting your opponents on ranges and calculating your pot odds, equity and EV.

A good book to get you started on the math is no limit theory and practice by Sklansky. This is important, because at the micros, the game is very mathematical.

thanks for the reply, how tight should i play? tighter then rentons guide?

the 101 series videos will probably have you playing 10/8. They are not designed to be the most p[rofitable way to play poker . They are there so that you get comfortabe playing tight aggressive profitable poker at 2nl and tell you why you are doing things and give you a solid foundation to work from.

Once you are comfortable playing that style then you start applying the 102 series to improve your winrate. Don't fall into the mistake of thinking well i might as well do both together initially else you don't learn the foundation skills., you'll just end up taking the higher variance higher profitability line and then wonder why you are spewing money.

read this thread as well

http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...er-185569.html

i think aiming for stats of 12/10 to 10/8 (full ring) is a good way to learn. People say just aiming for the stats in themselves is not ideal (which is kinda true) but the fact is it makes you learn what a strong hand range IS and at the same time shows you what to cut out of your opening range, and you can learn about position etc. Its a good concrete thing to aim for and a great framework to learn about other basic aspects of poker from - at least it was for me.

i still play roughly that tight preflop in full ring (10nl and 25nl).

Originally Posted by mbiz

i think aiming for stats of 12/10 to 10/8 (full ring) is a good way to learn.

what do you mean by stats 12/10? % of hands played?

http://www.flopturnriver.com/pokerfo...ng-162741.html

Read point 4.

Originally Posted by AndersonG22

what do you mean by stats 12/10? % of hands played?

12/10 (or whatever numbers) usually refers to stats on a poker HUD. Google pokertracker or poker hud or something to learn about poker huds.
12vpip/10pfr = 12% voluntarily put money in the pot and 10% preflop raise. You would be raising 10% of the time, and putting money into the pot 12% of the time (ie. the 10% of raising + 2% of calling other peoples raises). These particular stats refer to preflop action and talk about your range there.

Basically, read the beginners guides on this forum and it will answer most your questions.

damn these vids are good, thanks guys