Double or Nothing sit and goes have changed my bankroll...But I wonder if they are changing me as a player. Are the skills needed to consistently win at them the same skills that I would use in cash games, or even "regular" MTT or STT?
I have decided no... Doesn't mean these skills are bad, but certainly I would be much too tight to play in the other games.
Bottom line...tight tight tight. To the point of folding AQ or anything below JJ. The premium hands will come, wait them out
Spent the morning decorating the house for Christmas. Christmas music on the Cd player, Mrs. Aces88ss's special egg nog french toast and I am filled with the holiday spirit.
now. getting ready to settle in for an afternoon of Double or Nothing's...
BTW, tip of the day for DON's...learn to position steal, or you are doomed.
Best hand is not needed to win the pot. Just the best timed and placed bet
I spend a great deal of time reading other people's blogs. Some I look to for interpreting the news of the day (centered around our VERY small world of poker), some I look to for the vicarious thrill of following someone else's life.
So, I wonder, what can I add that no one else is writing about.
I do not live anywhere exciting
I do not do anything exciting
I do not play high stakes (I am following sound bankroll management, and have moved steadily from $5 to $10 to current level of $20)
I have turned into a grinder. I play 25-30 sit and go's each day. Usually two at a time, occasionally three.
As I said in an earlier post, I have discovered Double or Nothings. I sit in my basement (a very nice basement), watching TV and playing poker from my easy chair. I am retired, and this is what I do.
SO, starting today, I plan to post more often, but with the perspective that I am what I am, and will share my views from that perspective.
Online poker is getting tough. Not just the legalities, but I am talking about the competition.
Seems less and less the tables are populated with newbies or poor players. I have been playing for several years, and I have never seen this level of competition before. I have had brief bouts of successes (winning one of the $24 HORSE tourneys at Full Tilt), but my long run stats were static. Occasional cashes, but equal numbers of adding money.
When I started this blog, I was going to start playing more cash games. Once again...break even. I had some success at RAZZ, but every effort I made to move up in levels (following sound bankroll management) just knocked me back to the lower levels.
BUT THEN...God Bless Pokerstars!
Double or Nothing Sit and Go tournaments have changed my life. At least my poker life.
I played 1,000 games. Started at $5 a game, moved to $10, and am currently playing at the $20 level. I cashed out $1,000 in November, and cleared $1,400.
2 losses in a row...At one point, up $30...ended the day, down $70
I added $100 to my bankroll. I signed onto Poker stars. I have to do something to shake up my game. I am still averaging $1 an hour, but I am below $10 a day.
Luke: Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.listen
But, of course, we are talking RAZZ here. The best nothin' is the ultimate goal. But how to know, how to play the odds that you are playing the best nothing, and not just a little something more than the other guy? On this post, I will be trying to GROK the information about rules for starting hands from, Play RAZZ Poker to Win by Mitchell Cogert. I will let you know when I am quoting the book, and when I am adding my thoughts to the mix. Be sure to take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
These rules apply to the deal... The first three cards dealt to you...two down, and one up. Consider, not only your cards, but also which is your up card, what cards are visable, and what cards you need to make your hand.
Rule #1 - Consider playing all hands with your three cards all unmatched and no card higher than an 8. On average, you will get a playable hand only 1 time in 6.
When you do get a hand, you need to immediatly notice the following...
Your three cards
Your exposed cards
How many of the exposed cards are duplicate cards to your hand
How many of the exposed cards are needed to make your low hand
Your position to the bring in bettor and potential callers with exposed low cards
The action of the players that act before you
OK, Here's my commentary (again, for what it is worth). Take a look at that first rule. Most first time RAZZ players can not get beyond that point. All they see is their three to a wheel, and bet and never stop betting. Kind of like Big Slick in NLHE. The facts and percentages are that while this looks like a great hand, the more players that see to the end, the more callers, the less likely you are to be the ultimate winner. You must keep an eye on all these things in order to know where you are in the hand.
Rule #2 - As the number of duplicate cards to your hand increases, so does the power of your hand.
Example: you have a (4-5) 6 and your opponent has the best starting hand of (A-2) 3. But you have 4 duplicate cards exposed on other people's hands and the villain has none. To the untrained eye, the A-2-3 is ahead. But in fact, you are a 61% favorite in the hand.
OK, here is my commentary...This is a dangerous hand to play aggressively. Your bets will be called. The first two bets are the size of the small blinds, and it is fine to establish yourself with those bets. Once the turn and river comes around, you need to make a decision about how those two cards helped (or hurt). Mostly, I think you will make more money if you play the illustrated hand passively until you have an advantage. It is very difficult to force a fold until 6th street. However, it is certainly great to know, great to follow the number of duplicate cards out there. Take a look at the board. If you have an advantage, bet aggressively. If you are close, bet to thin the field, but keep a wary eye on what you have and what the reaction to your bets is. Tred carefully when close.
Rule #3 - In RAZZ, when two players who have an 8 or better starting hand going into 4th street, neither player typically has a signifigant edge.
A big edge in RAZZ is 48%/42% going into 4th street.
OK, here is my commentary...This rule means if you have that 3 to an 8, play it. Be wary of rough 8's, and it is easy to fold those, but almost every other 3 to an 8 is worth playing even to a raise. In multi way pots, if you have an 8, it is worth sticking around.
Rule #4 - To increase your chances of winning a pot, try to get heads up from the start by raising the bring in better.
Your chance of winning a hand is reduced as the numbers of players in a pot increases. If a re-raise forces everyone to fold, at the worst, you are probably 60%/40%. While in a three way pot, you are only 42% to win even with the best hand. Position and playing heads up increase your chances to win.
OK, here is my commentary...At lower levels, it is very difficult to get a fold out of people. Even a rough 8, or smooth 9 will call raises and rearises. At the least, you are adding to the pot, with players with inferior hands. BUT, at these levels, it is very difficult to get heads up. When you can, great, but it is harder than it sounds unless you are playing higher levels
Rule #5 - When there are 4 or more cards on board that will help you make your 8 low, and 2 or more players have shown strength by raising and reraising, fold your hand.
OK, here is my commentary...Play the hands that have a high percentage for you. When the cards you need are out, when you are playing an 8, while the rest of the board all have cards lower than yours...This seperates the dreamers from the long term winners. Sure, it is frustrating when the guy to your left gets the cards you needed, but it is rare when you would win. Remember rule #4. You will be up against more than one caller, and the odds will go down...FOLD
This month, I seem to be playing more RAZZ than anything else. With the exception of yesterday, I have been winning consistently. Much of my winning streak can be traced back to reading Play RAZZ Poker to Win by Mitch Cogert. As Mr. Cogert points out, there has been very little written about Razz up to this point. As he also points out, Razz is a game where the weaker players can be exploited. At the beginning of the month, I was winning almost every session. That has leveled off, and has even started to decline. So, I have to ask myself, is the decline because variance is catching up, or is the decline because I am forgetting to follow the rules established in the book? Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I am playing more hands than I should. I am staying longer than I should, and mostly, I am playing to get lucky, instead of making the other guy play to get lucky.
I want/need to get better and consistent at the game. This can become/is my go to game. If I am down for the month, this can be my come back game. It is simple enough, but there are occasions when Fancy Play Syndrome works. There are also occasions when the nuts are viable, and punishing a caller is possible.
SO, let's devore this book. Let's make the tenants my gospel, and learn to beat the game consistently. I have pointed out in my Poker Tips postings, way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. In these postings, I am going to start from the beginning of the book, write out the tips that I need to remember, and then write my thoughts on those tips.
Here we go...
The Forward (told you I was going to start at the beginning) has an interesting paragraph about the "old days" of TV poker when the same pros seemed to be appearing at the final tables a lot. These pros were playing against people with a basic understanding of the game, some basic strategy understanding, but the "extra" strategy set the pros apart...in the old days. But now, with books, videos, internet tips, and more; that "extra" advantage has disappeared, and it is more common than not that a final table is filled with new players who have leapfrogged the years it took for pros to gain the advantage over players with basic strategy skills.
To quote the book, "Razz poker is the one remaining game where the knowledge base remains small because most players have climbed on the bandwagon of the bigger and better known games. Yet, to win at RAZZ pokerand in the "R" in HORSE poker, you need to know what the other players don't".
Mr Cogert then lists the top 21 RAZZ hands possible. These are important to know, especially on those rare occasions when you can spot the times you are playing a smooth 8, vrs your opponents rough 8. This is one of those little opportunity plays that only pop up maybe once a session, but can be highly profitable. Here is the list...
Now, here is where I am going to add my commentary to the contents of the book. All of these hands are (on average) winning hands. If you get one of these hands, you can bet pretty confidently that you will be taking the chips (and remember, chips are CASH, don't confuse chips with something that does not matter...Money counts). Occasionally, you will be beat with one of these hands, but for the most part, the money you win aggressively betting these hands will outweigh the money you lose when you are sucked out on. As always, when you are reraised, carefully examine the board and drop down to just calling when re-raised (unless you can spot those times when your smooth hand is ahead of their rough same top card). But I digress, my addendum to the book is a statement about the "basic" strategy of playing any three unpaired 8 and lower cards put you in a dangerous area. Pros wait for one of the top 21 hands, and get aggressive then. "Basic" strategy players will think a 5 to an 8 hand is worth playing aggressively. Be the pro that knows that little bit extra strategy, including when to fold em, when to hold em and most importantly, when to exploit the weakness.
Next, he starts a chapter called, "STARTING HANDS RULES TO KNOW". He says, "Knowing how to play starting hands is crucial". And as all poker games, of course, this is true. He starts the chapter by listing a "simple but excellant classification of the hands you should consider playing". These come from the book, "SKLANSKY ON POKER"...
Excellent hand...Three cards to the best low hand --- A-2-3-4-5 He calls this a bike, I call it a wheel
Good Hand...Three cards to a 6 or a 7-4 (the 7-4 is called a smooth 7, a 7-6 would be a rough 7) The concept of smooth and rough will make or cost you a lot of money Depending on how well you understand
Fair Hand...Three cards to a rough 7 or smooth 8
Poor Hand...Three cards to a rough 8 or a three card 9
Now, here is where I am going to add my commentary to the contents of the book. Even knowing and GROKING (I LOVE that word) all of these rankings, and standards will put you WAY ahead of the average RAZZ player. The concept of smooth and rough cost me a ton before I read this. These are the minimum standards for your play. Irreguardless of what your opponents have as an up card, playing anything else is NOT proffitable in the long run.
There is one exception to this rule (again, this is my commentary, not something I have read in any book). That exception is having 2 wheel cards hidden, a paint card exposed. You are the bring in, and the table folds around to the player on your right. Just the two of you left, you have already spent your bring in. He has a low card, and it is mandatory for him to raise. You have position, and seeing the next card could even the board. Worth a call then. Other than that...GROK, really GROK these starting hand guidelines.
Coming next...11 rules to consider when playing your starting hands!
9. Don't play in a game that is too tough for you (opponents are much better) or too high for your bankroll (if you can't afford to lose, you can't play your best).
This is something I am fighting as we speak. My bankroll is what it is. I wish it were more, but it is not. I would like to move up, win money faster, and I am confident in my game. BUT, moving up would put my hard earned bankroll at the whims of variance. FIGHT IT!
Also, this tip emphasizes my ongoing quest to mark the weaker players. Watch the ones that start with poor hands. Watch the ones that chase, bet draws, refuse to fold or play too tight. These are teh people you can make money off of.
These tips are part of my series on Poker tips, taken from Poker.net. Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
No worse feeling in the world...Well, a few, but it still hurts.
It could have been worse, as I made back $20 of the $40 something I was down earlier in the day. But, I still posted my first loss of the month. I am still within my goals for the month ($10 a day, and $1 an hour), but it does hurt.
So, what went wrong? My draws never hit, my great hands were beat by miracle rivers, and MOSTLY, I loosened up my standards. I started playing more hands, staying longer, and gambled more. It is funny how the "Tip of the day" post that I make always seems to apply that day. To say I tilted would not be technically accurate. BUT, I certainly did let the cards play me. I did do a couple things right. I was able to resist the temptation to chase money. When I lost my buy in, I saw the writing on the wall, and did not re-buy. In my frame of mind, I would either need to get lucky, or that money would be flying south as well. I did my usual hit and run style to get back some of what I lost.
So, let's talk about this hit and run strategy...I have an episode of Maverick running in the background. One of the many quotes has Bret saying, "Sometimes, it amazes even me what I will do for money". That's kind of how I feel about it. I am winning money doing this. I can justify it mathematically (hopping in and out quickly makes my hourly rate soar). But, at the same time, it implies a lack of skill. I am not able to sit at a table and dominate it for hours on end. I feel guilty, but it works.
8. Have patience and don't let yourself go on tilt.
OK, Let's get literary...Take a look at the image to the left. Obviously, it is from Don Quixote. But it is also an image of the aftermath of our hero tilting at his windmills. It is much more common to see an image of the charge towards the windmills, instead of faithful Sancho Panza eyeing the aftermath and picking up the pieces.
Poker is very much a game of patience. Professional poker is even more a game of patience. The good hands will come. The hands to bet are the hands where you are ahead. Pick your spot.
ALSO, Make notes on your fellow players. It is a surprise how often these players show up at the same tables. Know who the guys that will not fold are. They are the windmills. Don't go tilting at them. If you bet, have the best hand, he will pay you off. If you are close, call or check. If your card hits, you win, if it doesn't, you don't lose as much. Don't shove (bluff) at a calling station.
$0 dollars made...Started at $493, ended at $493 dropped my per hour rate made my 100 point goal.
I did a few things wrong yesterday. I stayed at one RAZZ table, and dropped $40 (still within my 10% rule). I liked the table, I just could never get ahead. I stuck to RAZZ almost all day. Wasn't til the end of the day when I switched over to Omaha 8. When I did switch, I made 1/3 of my losses up in less than an hour, and when I went back to RAZZ, I was playing a few less hands and making more money. So, my lesson for the day, if things are not going well, switch games. I am still well within my goals of $10 a day and $1 an hour. My hit and run strategy still works best. Make $5 at a table, switch games. That is how I clawed my way back.
I did spend some time reading past offerings from The Poker Grump. He is a professional player from Vegas, who posts quite a lot. He is playing on line RAZZ, and offered a few tips. He did point out an advantage that Poker Stars has over Full Tilt. That is, when you replay the hand, the cards are not shuffled. Much easier to see what the other players start with. Better reads. SO, at some point, I will be testing the Poker Stars waters.
On a personal note...It was an active day for exercise. Brisk wheezing walk in the morning with Mrs. Aces88ss, followed by about 20-30 minutes on the weight machine. Now my neck is stiff. Possibly from the workout, but probably from sleeping on it wrong. But, I have to do something.
7. Commit this to memory: if you can't beat the other hands, don't join them, fold and live to play another day. The table will always be ready when you are.
I am going to quote from memory, but I remember reading that Mike Caro has said, "money not lost spends the same as money won".
Whenever I offer advice to novices, I always advise folding as a strategy. Winners look for a reason to fold. Losers look for a reason to call. Win money with good hands. Every hand can turn into a winner, but rarely does playing a bad hand turn into a profit. AND, in the long run, playing bad hands will never be profitable. Poker is one long game. It is not one hand. Look for the guys that look for a reason to call. Play them to the max. That is the profitable long term play.
These tips are part of my series on Poker tips, taken from Poker.net. Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
$34 profit $5 an hour Under 100 but over 50 FT points...In fact, not just same as yesterday, it is the same as everyday this month (OK, only 6 days, but still, every day this month).
Had some quality time with Mrs. Aces88ss. I also have started using the new weight machine we bought garage saleing last week. Mrs. Aces88ss, poker, garage saleing, smoking, exercising...it is a good life.
So, just to remind myself...It's working, don't get cute.
Stay within my game. That is,
stay within my limits ($0.50/$1 cash games, and $2 sit and gos).
Play premium hands...tight aggressive. At these low levels, fancy play syndrome does not work.
When I am losing, do not stay in the hand, fold
When I am tied, just call, don't bet
When I am ahead, bet
If I am going to chase, only chase the nuts. Second best hand pays just as well as the worst hand.
6. We're talking real poker here, not video poker, so remember you're not trying to impress the change lady by getting the highest hand. Your goal is to be holding a better hand than your opponents. When everyone else is frightened off by your superior play, the pot is yours.
If you check earlier posts, you will find a discussion of the genius that invented gambling chips. This rule is an extension of that discussion. Never lose sight of the fact that you are playing for real money. Not clay chips or electronic blips. The players I look for are the ones that play for clay and not for cash.
Your game is to play superior hands, bet when you are ahead and only call if you are chasing the nuts...and even then, only if the pot odds dictate. Don't be afraid of your image if you toss a losing hand away. It actually may give you a tighter image that will alow you to buy a pot later.
$38 profit for the day (chug chug) $5 an hour profit rate (chug chug chug)
Whoo whoo!!!
Everything that is important worked great! Only small setback was my FT points. I struggled to get to 50 points. below my goal of 100. But, in order to reach that goal, I would have had to play longer than I wanted, and played on multiple tables. Better to not hit the trifecta, but stay within my goal..Play my game plan.
A milestone was reached. I had topped $100 for the month. Took only 5 days, instead of the goal of 10.
So, watch for big head plays. I am not this good, I got this win rate only by playing solid, conservative/aggressive poker. All my wins came from punishing the AZZ in RAZZ. play slow, pick your spot and shove when you have the best of it!
On a personal note, yesterday, Mrs. Aces88ss took the day off work. We had a pleasant day of garage saleing, watched a mildly romantic movie. The night before, we had firends over, I spent the entire day smoking a brisket. Life in the suburbs is very pleasant.
5. You'll soon discover who the strong players are at the table. As tempting as it is, try to resist the temptation of trying to beat them at risk of losing sight of the other aspects of your game. You'll lose big time if you're not lucky. If you're lucky enough to win, it'll hardly be worth the effort.
This one's easy, and true. The better players always seem to outdraw me, outplay me, and get lucky cards. Truth is, they only play hands that are likely to win, they watch not only their hands, but also what cards I get, and how they match up with others on the board. They carefully pick their spots, and when they are drawing, they are drawing to the nuts.
This does remind me of the need to make notes on players. Mark the players that do not start with superior hands. Especially if they do it continually. Mark the players that just will not fold, regardless of how the board matches. Mark the players that play their hand and do not look at their opponents. Use that note keeping system. It is amazing how many times you run into the same people.
These tips are part of my series on Poker tips, taken from Poker.net. Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
OK, I kept my streak going. I posted a win yesterday. My 4th in a row! That's the good news. But, the win was only $1. Below my goal. I fell early, losing $32 in RAZZ. I spent the rest of the day clawing back. Lots of hit and runs. I would make $5 and then leave for a different table. Worked out fine. I even was up $12 at one point, but lost the $11 chasing the FT point goal of 100 points.
So, good money management (I left that table where the cards were not falling well without putting more than $35 into that game). Way back in my 1st money management post, I made a commitment not to dump more than 10% of my bankroll into one game. I was losing, I sucked it up and walked away. I then started hit and run play. Makes me look bad, but it did reestablish my roll.
I was happy with my play, even at the $32 down table. The cards just were not folding, and my table image was one of panicking player. Every pot I entered, I was being called down and out drawn.
So, a winning day, a below goal day, but rules of money management agreed, saved my day. All in all, a winning day.
4. The first 5/7 cards you receive will be the foundation of your hand. Build your strategy around these. You're not likely to better your opening hand. I believe that the odds of improving your hand on the draw are about even.
So obvious...So often forgotten, ignored and desperate prayers are made that it is not true. If the flop fits...terrific. If the flop makes a nut draw, continue carefully. But, say you have A,2,3, K in RAZZ. The flop comes A,2,3...This is frustrating, but it is not worth squat.
Reminds me of the song, "Hey, Little Goldfish" from an unforgettable (I have tried) movie from my youth, "Hello Down There"...
Yesterday was another very good day. I am only 3 days and 20 hours into my outspoken goals listed in my September 1st post. BUT, I am averaging $30 a day, I am averaging $4.50 an hour and have consistently been winning 5 times out of 6 games played.
So, today is a good day to ponder why I am winning, and what I need to avoid big head play.
Money Management. I am playing at a level that I am comfortable. Meaning, if I lose my buy in, lose my reload, I am still ahead for the month. No need to move up in levels yet. Stay at the $0.50/$1.00 levels for the time being. Wait til I am at $600 bankroll (300 times the big blind) before I move up to $1/$2.
Play quality hands. Playing poker is fun. Folding hand after hand is NOT fun. But, again, as I said in Sept. 1st posting, I want to start keeping score. I want to make money, not have fun. So, do not play hands that are less than 3 to an 8. Be careful playing rough 8's. Pay close attention to what you are playing against. Be aggressive when I am ahead, be passive when you are chasing. Buying a pot is difficult at this level; pick your spot, but be careful trying. And rule number one...When you are losing badly, toss your hand.
Patience. Good hands come. Forcing a mediocre hand into a good hand betting strategy almost always back fires. It's low limit. Wait for the big hand and bet. The players will chase.
OK, three good rules. Live them, love them and FOLLOW THEM. I am winning with this strategy. If I try to play above myself, I will be just another hyper aggressive player (that I love to mark and play against). Be the player I am concerned about, not the player I beg to chase.
For the record, yesterday I topped $400 bankroll, set a 3 day winning streak, and met all my announced goals. For now...It is good to be me.
3. When the time arrives that you're holding the unbeatable hand – remember Nicholas Cage in Honeymoon in Vegas – make sure you make the players pay dearly to see it.
The nuts...a dream come true in poker. I am right now concentrating on my RAZZ and Omaha Eight games. Both of which are games where the nuts are obvious, and probable at least once an hour. I also am paying very careful attention to money management, and trying VERY hard to stay in "my game". Since I am working within my money management limits, right now, I am limiting myself to at most, $0.50/$1 games. These combinations make playing the nuts profitable. Too many lose players call and call and call with draws and dreams.
So, If/when I end up moving up in levels, I wonder if one of my most profitable moves (punishing the dreamers) will hurt my hourly rate. But at the time, I am in the position to take advantage of this tip to the max. Fits my game well.
On line players play too many hands, and call too much. I make a habit of always trying to figure out what the nut hand would be. It is now such a habit that often it takes little concentration. So, great tip, already a part of "my Game", but soemthing to always remember...punish punish punish.
These tips are part of my series on Poker tips, taken from Poker.net. Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
Yesterday was another good day (2 in a row). Goals were met (well above $1 an hour, well above $10 a day, and 100 FT Points). I am doing a lot of hit and run. Sign into a game, fold or limp/fold til I hot the nuts on a hand, jam (there are always callers), win $4 or $5 dollars and jump out. Looking over my stats page, I am playing a game for only about 30 minutes, and leaving $4 up. I have noticed one trend on my page and that is the few times I post a lost for a game, I am staying over an hour. I need to pay attention, am I losing after I hit that $4 profit and then give it back, or am I staying chasing that hand and just never get it? I am avoiding a big loss, so that is a good thing. So, today, I am going to watch what happens when I stay longer at a table.
On a personal note, I found a TV station that is airing "Maverick" twice a day. Last night started the airing of the Main Event WSOP for this year. I am constantly amazed at the number of players, and the pressure they must be under. Bankroll management is the only key. As long as $10,000 is my dream goal take for the year in poker, I will never be a part of that. Interesting to watch, but not for me. I know I would play too tight. Fun to watch though.
OK, I am going to talk about a frustrating player I met yesterday. The hyper aggressive player that always entered with a raise, always raised in position, always stayed till all of his draws were busted. He played way more than 1/2 the hands dealt. I played my usual tight/aggressive mode. I made money in the game, but he made more. The table played afraid, rarely staying til showdown (even in split game). It was frustrating to be continually bet off a good but not winning hand. But, long run, I won for the session, the two stars of the table were him and I, but he took more money. Different styles, similar (but not equal) results. I stayed patient, did not alter my game plan (tight/aggressive), didn't loosen up to play his game. So, all in all, I cannot complain too much. I recognize my frustration level was raising, but I also stayed in my game and won the pots I needed to without a big risk.
Gambling is for the weekend player.
Winning at the game does not mean beating everyone.
Whether he likes it or not, a man’s character is stripped at the poker table; if the other players read him better than he does, he has only himself to blame. Unless he is both able and prepared to see himself as others do, flaws and all, he will be a loser in cards, as in life.
2. Don't pretend that your some big time poker player unless you have the bankroll to back it up. The experts agree that you should start with at least 50 times the table limit.
OK, see my earlier post on money management. Play carefully, play like the money counts. There is an old saying about the man who made the most money for Las Vegas Casinos. It is not the guy who invented slot machines, nor the guy who created the $1.99 buffet. The guy who mad Vegas possible is the guy who invented chips. Never lose sight of the fact that you are playing for money, and NOT tokens. If I make $100 in a day, I can buy smoking supplies to entertain (not toke supplies, but ribs and sausage and drinks to entertain my friends) for a nite or take Mrs. Aces88ss out for a date or splurge on a complete set of West Wing DVDs (Bootleg or used, but still every episode). If I lose $100 in a day, not only can I not do any of those fun things, but I either have to sacrafice an opportunity to do one of tose things, but I also can't do any of those things a second time to get back to even. Treat your chips like they are real money. When/if I lose, know what happened. Variance happens, but bad play, tilting, chasing bad money all happens when you play chips and not money.
Know you are only as good as you are...don't pretend to be better.
These tips are part of my series on Poker tips, taken from Poker.net. Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
Yesterday was a very good day. $26 profit ($15 above goal). I ended well above my $1 per hour goal. Another goal I didn't mention yesterday is 100 Full Tilt poker points per day. I made that goal also. So, all in all, a very good day.
Makes me consider money management and when to move up in levels. I have read a couple articles about money management, and they vary from 200 to 300 times the big blinds to play that level comfortably. As I write this, I am above $300, so the $0.50/$1 tables is exactly where I belong. At the earliest, I should not consider moving up until I reach $400, and to be secure, I need to be at $600 before I hit the $1/$2 tables. In my very first posting, I listed my goals. All are attainable at the $0.50/$1 tables, so there is no pressure for me to move up yet.
I did come across an original idea. Joe Benik at The Poker Forum.com talks about the 10% rule. As I considered it, it seems like an excellent rule for me to follow. In my past attempts at money management, I failed mostly on those BIG lose days. Days when I felt I was at a good table, plenty of callers for my premium hands, but the cards just didn't seem to fall my way. Frustrated re-buy after re-buy, and suddenly when I had originally sat down at a $1/$2 table with $20, I am $200 in, with only $20 sitting in front of me. Statistically improbable (impossible) for me to catch up, but I continue to pump money into a losing session. Frustration re-buys are a definate hole in my game.
So, here are my rules for Money management...
First...Stay at $0.50/$1 tables until I have built up my bankroll to $400. Once I reach $400, test the waters carefully at the $1/$2 level. Never play 2 tables at once, and never follow a losing session at the $1/$2 tables. One loss, needs to be followed by a drop down to the lower level. Get more aggressive (2 tables, back to back play) if/when you reach $600 and NOT BEFORE.
Next...Let's consider that 10% rule. At my current bankroll ($350), at a $0.50/$1 table, I can buy in ($10), rebuy, rebuy and a $5 rebuy and still stay within that 10% rule. If I am losing $35 at a $0.50/$1 table, I don't care how well, my cards look, vrs how much they are sucking out on me, it is time to leave. This is a GREAT rule. Live it, learn it, love it. This is now my stone hard rule.
Finally, what to do about leaving a profitable table. Very little consensis on this. I read a couple people who advocated leaving at a double up. They warned that variance will catch up, and profit beyond a double up is rare. Others say if you are controlling a table, you have established yourself as a winner, you will be feared and you should stay. I see the advantages to both trains of thought. So, I am not going to set a stone rule, instead, I am going to try to be honest with myself. If I am winning because I have had a couple hands go my way, and the coin flips flipped Acess88ss side up, get out with your double up. If however, I have steadily won the hands I should win, and been able to manuever calling stations to pay off those extra bets, that is the table to stay at. Watch the ATM's, and leave if/when they do, but stay as long as you are controlling things. Keep an eye on these situations, and work out the system that worls best. Right now, I have no idea what the stone rule should be.
But, rules one and two are stone...let's see how this works.
1. When you have garbage in your hand, fold faster than Superman on laundry day.
Poker.net has an on-line section with 64 poker tips. Way back 4 and 1/2 decades ago, in Mr. Kirk's 5th grade class, I was taught; to write things out, was one of the best ways to commit to memory. So, rather than read over a list of tips, and forget most, I am going to commit myself to reading one a day, and writing my thoughts about it.
So, Tip #1. "When you have garbage in your hand, fold faster than Superman on laundry day." Aside from the Superman reference, this is an excellent tip. Starting hands must be the hands that are likely to win. Avoid those rough 8's (RAZZ) if there are lots of cards out that you need to make your hand. You are going to be drawing at best, and possibly drawing dead, even if you make your 8-7. Additionally, a great hand that goes south needs to be dumped quick. Bluffing in On-line poker is very difficult. Read your opponents hands and look for the right opportunity, but most bluffs are going to be called.
This is a hole in my game, aggressively trying to bluff a hand that has gone south. Not saying I will never do it, but maybe try to limit it to only once an hour, and only against people that are not marked as idiot callers.
I am going to try to be thought of as Jim...Like the song says...(and to continue the Superman reference)
"You Don't Mess Around With Jim"
(As recorded by Jim Croce) JIM CROCE
Uptown got its hustlers The bowery got its bums Forty Second Street got Big Jim Walker He a pool shootin' son of a gun Yeah he big and dumb as a man can come But he's stronger than a country hoss And when the bad folks all get together at night You know they all call Big Jim boss, just because
And they say you don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off an 'ole Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Jim
Well outa South Alabama come a country boy He said I'm lookin' for a man named Jim I am a pool shootin' boy, my name is Willie McCoy But down home they call me Slim Yeah I'm lookin' for the king of Forty Second Street He drive an old drop-top Cadillac And last week he took all my money, and it may sound funny But I've come to get my money back And everybody say Jack, ooh don't you know
That you don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off an 'ole Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Jim
Well a hush fell over the pool room And Jimmy come boppin' in off the street And when the cuttin' was done The only part that wasn't bloody was the soles of The big man's feet, woah Yeah he were cut in 'bout a hundred places And he was shot in a couple more And you better believe they sung a different kind of story When a Big Jim hit the floor, aw
Now they say you don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off an 'ole Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Slim
(Spoken) Yeah Big Jim got his hat, find out where it's at And it's not hustling people strange to you Even if do got a two piece custom made pool cue...yea
Now they say you don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind You don't pull the mask off an 'ole Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Slim.
OK, My first blog entry, a place for me to tell you why I am blogging, and my goals...
WHY BLOG...Simple enough, after several years of "playing" at poker, it is now time to start working at it. In order to achieve that, I must have specific measurable goals. So, I will list a few, in the future, add a few, and update often. The goal of my blog is to put it out there. With this added pressure, I hope to take my goals more seriously. So...here goes
#1) Make Money. Sure, it's just a way of keeping score, but let's keep score. Here is my short term goal, with measurable marks for improvement. This is September of 2008. This month, I want to average $10 profit a day. Simple enough. I can do this playing $0.50/$1 tables. Very little risk. But my long term goal is to average $100 a day within one year. In order to achieve this goal, I will have to move up in limits, probably $5/$10. So, increasing my bankroll (for proper bankroll management) is vital. I have other thoughts about how to incrementally make this work, and plan to write those thoughts during the journey. The Chris Ferguson ploy of $10,000 playing poker is an incremental goal. Also this month, I want to average $1 per hour playing poker. Again, my year goal will be to average $10 an hour.
#2) Grow as a Poker Player. As the post says, Let's play HORSE! I have met so many people that saying those words would scare the hell out of them. There are plenty of NLHE experts that can not play a hand of RAZZ, do not understand the differences between limit Hold'em and NL, play a pocket pair of aces in Omaha 8 like it is a birth right to win. I could go on and on. I have a good grasp of NLHE. But frankly, it bores me. I certainly am not afraid to play NLHE, but I am going to be working on my general poker skills. Hi/Low split games, mixed games, sit and goes, tournaments...I think the loose money is to be found in the non NLHE games. Play where the fish are, and right now, the fish are swimming outside of the shark infested waters of NLHE. Along with playing and improving my general poker skills, I want to start working on poker outside of the internet. I plan to play in a casino at least once a month, and start working on finding live games. Even if I have to start one of my own. And finally, nothing beats playing poker to improve your game, but there are lots of resources out there. I will be taking advantage of those resources more consistently. I will be reading books and magazines more, finding new podcasts to listen to, fellow bloggers to read, etc. Learning a new skill can be very profitable, but it can be expensive on your own, and inexpensive to learn from others.
#3 Keep better records. I will not bore any possible blog readers with my daily records, but I will commit to my newly created MS EXCEL file. I will be recording cash games, with hourly profit/loss totals, sit and go wins and loses, and tournament successes. Eventually, I will have a grasp of which games are profitable, which ones I have to work on, and which are the sucker games.
And finally, just to keep a record off my life. To record the good things, the fun things and also to share my issues. Could be a bumpy ride.
OK, here's where I am starting...
My assets are $331 in my Full Tilt account, as well as 550 medals that can be used for $24/$2 tournament entry. I have something over 17,000 Full Tilt points that I can use to enter satellites if needed for more play. I have an additional $300 that I can dedicate to my live play. I have a library of books that I intend to read/re-read and study the game.
Semi-retired. Been about everywhere in the US worth going to. Had a job with LOTS of travel. I collect Mystery Novels, signed by the author. I have a collection (library) of over 500 books.
"The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong -- but that's the way to bet it." - Damon Runyon
