"Da Plan"

[Bozanic]

I started with (& still have) a BR of around $5,000 with little hold'em experience. Bought books, read & learned what I could. Then deposited $100 @ PP & started in the $25 ($.10 - $.25) NL 6 handed ring games & full table with FR MTT. Ran that up to over $300 in about a month & moved up to $50 ($25 - $.50) game.

Got to $500 & moved up to $100 game. Did not do as well, but was building slowly gaining experience. Had a run of good cards & stepped up to $200 games & got a dose of reality. Pretty much shattered my false sense of confidence....LOL. Went broke.

Gathered myself together & did almost the exact same thing at 2 other sites. But did venture into SnG's some with modest success before going bust twice again.

3rd site. Again a $100 deposit but did not venture beyond the $50 games. Got to $250 & played more SnG's. Got it to $400 & split it to bonus whore $200 at another site. Went broke at 1 site & the other is just under $400.

Got a birthday present from 1 previous site of $10 & ran that up to $80 where it sits today.

Then I started to look for help....LOL. I need(ed) lots! Found FTR & basically starting completely over trying to re-train my brain. Emotions are not much of an issue for me, so I believe that's a big help.

Now I have a better plan. Now I have found out about BR management. Though, overall I am not that reckless as I will not (& did not) expose a great deal of the $5,000 to risk without first having the following things;
1- more knowledge & experience
2- a solid BR management plan
3- a solid game plan (starting hand selection in relation to position etc. etc. etc.)
4- a proven win rate over months
5- the skill & confidence needed

Poker is not "natural" for me, I have to learn most everything, but I am usually a quick learner & I study hard. I play during the week & study on the weekends (re-reading books, studying info from FTR & other places). Focus lately is my weaknesses & leaks.
Weaknesses & leaks;
1- inexperience, causing swings in confidence, though improvement has been made
2- pre-flop play
3- chase a bit too much in position
4- reading opponents
5- betting & raising (what to do when & where for max. gain & min. losses)
6- folding (again when & where)
7- consistency with all of the above

When I feel I am ready, if ever, then I will step up with the cash to play for monetary gain seriously. I am well aware I may not be suited to play at that level & I'm fine with that. I do not "love" poker. I do love mentally challenging games such as chess etc. I bowhunt big game & fish for giants & have a "killer" type instinct (read aggressive) I think needed for such games. I have had guns pointed at my head from 3 feet away & the triggered pulled, I have been charged by grizzly bears, so fear at the tables is not an issue. I am not motivated by "greed" or "fear". I do self analyses etc. fairly honestly & on a regular basis.

I am a newbee poker player & a wannabee. So if any of the accomplished & experienced people here have any suggestions, criticisms, advise or wise words to pass on please do!

Thanks!

[biondino]

Plz can a mod put "make sure you are charged at by grizzly bears" into the beginner's guide

[cardsman1992]

As far as BR management, I would deposit $500 on one site and play $25 tables with it. That is twenty buyins. Pretend like you have no more....

Buy PokerTracker. This will help your game immensely.

Switch up a little bit and play on the weekends more and through the week less if your schedule will let you. The softer games are Friday and Saturday.

Keep that emotional detachment. I am a pretty levelheaded guy mostly, but when some goof hits a two outer, there are times I don't shake it off very easily.......

Ask lots of questions!! You have a nicely thought out plan.......

[Bozanic]

biondino
Laffs,... yeah,...good idea!...if ya can grin down a grizz, staring across the table @ Phil Ivey would be nuttin'!!.....LOL.
NL holdem is also a game of intimidation. Even at micro stakes levels & one of the aspects of poker that really intrigues me. I tried to short cut my way there. You can't play the head game without a solid foundation as a base. It is why I'm starting all over from the beginning. If I don't understand something I'm coming right here & picking yer brain!

There are no short cuts in poker. (personal axiom #1)

Thanks for the reply.

cardsman
I've downloaded the trial version of Tracker & I'll give it a go. I'm sure it will be a great help to me as I'm a "big picture" type, not the little details type. Should be great for me! I have to work backwards sortta, from the big picture.

For example, I don't need a program to know that my biggest monetary gains come from pocket pairs. When I hit sets, I'm in the driver's seat. When I don't, they're easy to get away from.

So reading the different forms, HH & replies @ FTR I've formed a theory, hopefully to become a guide, rule, or axiom subject to change regarding my play of pocket pairs. Good at all levels. It is important (according to those with experience) to mix up your betting patterns etc.

So I have devised my own little system when dealt pocket pairs. Which I do not fold if first to act. So I have 3 choices, limp, bet small, or bet big. To appear random in betting, if I am first to act, I use the colour of the cards. If both cards are red, I limp, 1 red - 1 black I bet small, 2 blacks I bet big. Regardless of the strength of the pair.

That combined with my bets with A-K, A-Q etc. should be enough to keep villians guessing at my level.

My 2nd best monetary gain hand is 1 gap suited connectors. Will work on this one next.

One other thing I've noticed from my notes is, at a loose aggressive table, I do better playing in front of them rather than behind. I love bullies. Basic nut camping & when ya c/r their egos often kick in & yer into the $$$. However I think this one is level specific & will not work in the higher stakes games.

Thanks for the tips!
P.S. My biggest pet peeve is getting disconnected in the middle of a SnG or tourney.

So, axiom #1 - there are no short cuts in poker. (1st foundation stone placed)

Working on #2.

Any more suggestions, criticisms, advise or wise words to pass on are welcomed & greatly appreciated.

Thanks to aokrongly & Renton for setting up my new starting hand selections that broadens as position improves.

[deacon_bluez]

"So I have devised my own little system when dealt pocket pairs. Which I do not fold if first to act. So I have 3 choices, limp, bet small, or bet big. To appear random in betting, if I am first to act, I use the colour of the cards. If both cards are red, I limp, 1 red - 1 black I bet small, 2 blacks I bet big. Regardless of the strength of the pair. "

I kind of like this color thing. Makes sense to vary your betting. The only part I disagree with is the last sentence. I would never limp a high pair (QQ+), because I think it's really important to isolate with that hand if possible.

[Legendash]

The alternative to this strategy, interesting thought it is, is to raise the same amount with pairs, SC's and trash, then no one can put you on a hand by the amount you bet. Obviously raising trash is optional, and purely for image purposes. Also never underestimate the lack of attention most people are paying you preflop.

[TerryToma]

"So I have devised my own little system when dealt pocket pairs. Which I do not fold if first to act. So I have 3 choices, limp, bet small, or bet big. To appear random in betting, if I am first to act, I use the colour of the cards. If both cards are red, I limp, 1 red - 1 black I bet small, 2 blacks I bet big. Regardless of the strength of the pair. "

I kind of like this color thing. Makes sense to vary your betting. The only part I disagree with is the last sentence. I would never limp a high pair (QQ+), because I think it's really important to isolate with that hand if possible.

1. that card color betting is a novel idea. im intrigued. i like to use a 4 color deck though so i dont get fooled on flushes.

2. another tip: go to pokersitescout.com and find out when the "peak" play times are for the site you are playing on. play during those peak hours if possible.

3. i agree with everything biodino said.

4. good luck! ps, how did u amass a 5k bankroll?

[cardsman1992]

Limping high pairs as a rule is not good, but you have to do it once in a great while to vary your play. I wouldn't do it more than 5-10% of the time. See NLHE-T&P...no play should be 100% of the time your default play, lest you become predictable. So although isolation with PPs is important, make sure you don't think in terms of "never" or "always".

If (when) you do decide to pull this trick, make sure you play goot postflop....stay out of trouble on scary boards....

I do tend to raise similar amounts regardless of the type of cards I hold, as Legendash mentions....usually 4xbb + 1bb for every limper (except the first).

[TerryToma]

Limping high pairs as a rule is not good, but you have to do it once in a great while to vary your play. I wouldn't do it more than 5-10% of the time. See NLHE-T&P...no play should be 100% of the time your default play, lest you become predictable. So although isolation with PPs is important, make sure you don't think in terms of "never" or "always".

I do tend to raise similar amounts regardless of the type of cards I hold, as Legendash mentions....usually 4xbb + 1bb for every limper (except the first).

i started varying my bet amounts last session, i had been 4xbb+1bb/limper, but seemed to be bleeding too much on the flop with my cbets. instead i tried juicing up my pp's to 3bb's, even with a bunch of limpers. then maybe a 2bb bet with Axs in LP/button. getting in these new situations made me think more and play less on "autopilot".

[cardsman1992]

Terry,

NLHE-T&P also has a decent section on that. What I can't figure out (yet) is whether the "pot sweeteners" he is talking about are more effective in looser live games, or will they work in the tougher Net games?

He also talks about with high pairs, either raise small to encourage action or large enough to define your hand. Not in between. A std raise usually does put you right in between IMO. Haven't gotten my head around it yet....

[Bozanic]

Thanks guys for your thoughts.
You're right about the high pocket pairs so modification #1.
When first to act;
2-2 to J-J use the colour selection system
Q-Q to A-A big bet
Also if it's folded or limped around to me at the CO or button, pairs are pretty much an auto-bet, as are the broadway hands.
Small bets are 3 to 4x BB, big bets are 6 to 10x BB.

Tried this out yesterday briefly in a $10 game, tripled up my stack in less than 45 minutes, but I also had a run of good cards.

I also used the colour system for my broadway hands. Needless to say, at this level villians just could not put me on any kind of hand by betting patterns. It camouflaged so well I've dubbed it the "Mossy Oak Strategy"....LOL.

I love this forum for the way ideas, theories & thoughts get bounced around & sometimes something comes out of it.

Also tried poker tracker....LOL... WAYYYY too much info for my lil brain!! It's gonna take some effort & learning to be able make use of all that info. By nature I am not a details kinda dude, but it looks like I may have to! I presently use poker edge.

Thanks for scouting tip Terry.