6 Max Frustration

Hi. I am a newcomer to the forum, and for that matter, poker and Texas Hold 'Em. I started playing in January, and since then, have read as much as I can, including Championship Hold 'Em and Championship No Limit/Pot Limit Hold'Em. Right now, I am in the middle of Brunson's no limit chapter from Super System, and also Dan Harrington's book on no limit play. In my limited play with individuals in home style games, I've had a lot of success, and have finished in the money more often than not.

Recently, I got Royal Vegas Poker and their $10 credit, and thus began my first experience with online real money poker. I played 6 max NL .05/.10. The first time I played, I lost about $3.00, but made two dumb mistakes that were about half of the money. Since then, I had done okay in several times playing, until tonight. Then, I ran into an awful run of cards, and I have to admit, I began to tilt badly.

About an hour later, I had lost about seven dollars. Now, some of my loss was a result of the tilt, and I would have had about $4 more if my connection hadn't broken in a case in which I would have doubled up. (That's what ended my session...)

In this period, at one point I had only seen 14% of flops. Later, the number was more near 30%, but I was calling some connectors and small blind hands, like K-8, that I really shouldn't have been calling in the first place.

In any case, my question amounts to the following: In a game of these stakes, would a $5 loss over an hour or so be a very bad loss, or does it just happen sometimes because of a bad run of cards. I am not sure about how much of a swing to consider normal, since I haven't been playing long in cash games.

Thanks.

I'd have to say that it happens, especially in 6-max but it could also be from the way you are playing. The fact is that you aren't bankrolled for the stakes with the $10. It doesn't mean you can't play at this level...but the swings, especially at 6-max, could kill you.

Firstly, I congratulate you on your reading...excellent books there. Be wary about playing like Brunson at these levels. Take his part in Super System about playing weak/strong players to heart...simple game, play with strong hands and DONT BLUFF FOOLS!

It may be advisable to play some of the $1 sit and gos on Royal Vegas. You get a lot of poker for your money and whilst the play is slightly different to ring games you could build a decent bankroll with little risk. It's how I and many others started. If you take this advice I'd recommend DavSimon's superb sticky on the tournament board.