Accountability and one last shot at cash games
Ok, so I'm starting a blog/operation for the first time but not because things are going well.
I've been stuck around $500 for so long that it isn't funny anymore and I'm determined to do something about it. I'll only ever be playing poker as a hobby but I don't see the point if I'm not going to improve / move up.
Very Brief History: I've tended to do ok at SNGs/Tourneys and then lose a fair bit playing cash then switch back and repeat.
In December, I moved $512 to PokerStars for their reload bonus and started half-stacking 25NL. This went ok and I moved on to buying for the full 25 usually playing for tables. I guess I was on a heater because, despite reviewing hands and fixing some leaks a huge downswing started and hasn't stopped. I'm now break-even over 11K hands and it's soooooo depressing. As I'm back down to $500, I'm doing the sensible thing and changing down to 10NL. My ego has no issue with this and my confidence could use a boost.
My hope is that by posting hands/thoughts/updates here, the dumb stuff will shine through and get fixed.
If I have a goal, then I guess it's $1K - it's as good a target as any but my real aim is to shake off the leaks and improve. If I fail, I'm either quitting poker or going back to SNGs but I'll decide that later.
All shout outs and advice are welcome from anyone.
My immediate task is to do some reading/studying before any more play. First up: Spenda's $5NL FR vid
Re: Accountability and one last shot at cash games
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevster
I've tended to do ok at SNGs/Tourneys and then lose a fair bit playing cash then switch back and repeat.
This stands out to me because when I first started, I would bounce back between tournaments and cash games. I did pretty well in tournaments, but my cash results started off well and quickly faded. I decided to stick with tournaments. I took a break from poker and when I recently came back, I wanted to succeed @ cash games and decided to ditch tournaments. To maximize success, I think focusing on one game really helps and even more so when you're NOT succeeding.
The difference between tournaments and cash games is huge in my opinion. In tournaments, blinds change and they don't in ring. Tournaments have inflection points where you have to make moves and pick your spots. Cash games are on an even keel and there is no pressure to make moves as you can always dip back into your wallet. Even when you focus on one type of game, the differences between the games within the games can make a difference - full ring versus 6 max, normal speed versus fast speed, SNG versus MTT, normal speed versus turbo, and the like.
So, evaluate what you want to do and focus on being the best at that. After you achieve success or conclude you cannot reach it, then you can expand or just move on to something else if you like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevster
In December, I moved $512 to PokerStars for their reload Bonus and started half-stacking 25NL. This went ok and I moved on to buying for the full 25 usually playing for tables. I guess I was on a heater because, despite reviewing hands and fixing some leaks a huge downswing started and hasn't stopped. I'm now break-even over 11K hands and it's soooooo depressing. As I'm back down to $500, I'm doing the sensible thing and changing down to 10NL. My ego has no issue with this and my confidence could use a boost.
I don't know how much the Bonus played into your decision, but it goes hand in hand with why I think Bonus whoring is an overrated distraction that can hurt you more than it can help you. The first mistake I think you made was half-stacking. If you want to play no limit, you need a full stack. When you hit a set of kings and double up off a villain with AK who spiked two pair or just a king, you want to double up the FULL amount, not half. Assuming you can even beat that level, buying in for half is costing you value and helping you bust quicker. The next mistake you made was playing $25NL with $500, which is only adequate for $10NL. If you want to play $25NL, you need the full 30 buy-ins of $750.
As for your confidence boost, everything I mentioned had nothing to do with playing actual poker. It's just a choice on your part to exercise simple discipline. The good news is you broke even doing just about everything wrong ;) Now, do things right, try to play good poker, and let's see what happens.
Good luck.
Re: Accountability and one last shot at cash games
Thanks for comments so far guys.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason
I don't know how much the Bonus played into your decision, but it goes hand in hand with why I think Bonus whoring is an overrated distraction that can hurt you more than it can help you. The first mistake I think you made was half-stacking. If you want to play no limit, you need a full stack. When you hit a set of kings and double up off a villain with AK who spiked two pair or just a king, you want to double up the FULL amount, not half. Assuming you can even beat that level, buying in for half is costing you value and helping you bust quicker. The next mistake you made was playing $25NL with $500, which is only adequate for $10NL. If you want to play $25NL, you need the full 30 buy-ins of $750.
First up, half-stacking is a perfectly valid strategy. Whether I played it well or not is debatable but I was up well over $600 before full stacking so I don't think bankroll was a huge issue (many consider $650 suitable).
As for the bonus, I don't think that affected my decisions but it definitely takes a back seat for now. I have till June to clear it anyway and I'm already over half way there.
I should've said - I've been playing FR at Stars and will continue to do so at 10NL. I'll update the OP for clarity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhBollocks
Yes!!! I really need to get my ass into gear on this one. I tried it before and couldn't get it working and never came back to it. Time to try again methinks.
