New Challenge: Movin' On Up

[KingJames 11]

Hey guys,I'm taking a bit of a break from poker. Not like taking X-amount of time off, just gonna play more casually from here out.I've lost my motivation to play and playing just to play has yielded some pretty trrbl results.For those who don't know, I was staked and coached by Babylondonks and Stupidhead. I need to publicly thank them one last time for all the did for me. They had a ridiculously difficult task of teaching me how to correctly play and think about poker (I was pretty raw when we started) they did a great job. My thought process and ability increased immensely during the time I worked with them.I wish I had been able to better apply all that they taught me, as they are excellent players & thinkers and some of their effort was surely lost on me.I still plan to play poker and post here, I'm just going to take a bit of time away from any serious grinding and hope that in the spring or so I'll be motivated to learn and play more.Thanks again, guys; it was a pleasure.James

[trystero 0]

gl out there James in that thing called the real world

[SuperJon 175]

Best of luck, King Jimothy. Please don't be a stranger.

[ezelisko 0]

Hey, I am trying the same think that Negreanu is trying just for kicks and giggles. I was wondering if I could get any constructive feedback on if I have set the progression limits right and such. I might have also messed up on the blinds, so I do apologise in advance. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. BLINDS PROGRESSION BUY IN DROP DOWN.01/.02 N/A N/A N/A.02/.05 $50 $3 $30 .05/.10 $100 $6 $60 .10/.25 $250 $15 $150 .25/.50 $500 $30 $300 .50/1 $1,000 $60 $600 1/2 $2,000 $120 $1,200 2/4 $4,000 $240 $2,400 3/6 $6,000 $360 $3,600 4/8 $8,000 $480 $4,800 5/10 $10,000 $600 $6,000 10/20 $20,000 $1,200 $12,000 20/40 $40,000 $2,400 $24,000 40/80 $80,000 $4,800 $48,000 50/100 $100,000 $6,000 $60,000 75/150 $150,000 $9,000 $90,000 100/200 $200,000 $12,000 $120,000

[babylondonks 5]

I would actually reccomend not using hard and fast buy-in rules once you pass the first few limits, at that point moving up becomes much more about how comfortable you feel playing those stakes (and how well you think you're playing/are there fish at the table, etc.) and using a set rule like that could certainly hurt in both the short and long run. The answer to most questions in poker is simply 'it depends' and that remains true for moving up. However I can make a few suggestions.1. Generally you want to be buying in for 100 big blinds, it is often the table maximum and because we're intending to play better poker than our opponents, we want more chips to ensure we can win more. It also allows more flexibility in your play style; buying in for 60 big blinds gives you less room to bluff, to 3bet or 4bet, to call down with draws, etc.2. Like I said above you probably don't want a certain rule that says 'with a bankroll of $x I'll move up to these stakes'. However general guidelines can certainly be useful to avoid downswings really hurting your bankroll, so I would suggest changing your bankroll requirements to no less than twenty 100bb buyins for each level (so double what you have now). It is still a very aggressive guideline and it will lead to bouncing up and down through limits a lot most of the time, but as long as you move down limits with good discipline it should help negate your risk of ruin.

[ezelisko 0]

I would actually reccomend not using hard and fast buy-in rules once you pass the first few limits, at that point moving up becomes much more about how comfortable you feel playing those stakes (and how well you think you're playing/are there fish at the table, etc.) and using a set rule like that could certainly hurt in both the short and long run. The answer to most questions in poker is simply 'it depends' and that remains true for moving up. However I can make a few suggestions.1. Generally you want to be buying in for 100 big blinds, it is often the table maximum and because we're intending to play better poker than our opponents, we want more chips to ensure we can win more. It also allows more flexibility in your play style; buying in for 60 big blinds gives you less room to bluff, to 3bet or 4bet, to call down with draws, etc.2. Like I said above you probably don't want a certain rule that says 'with a bankroll of $x I'll move up to these stakes'. However general guidelines can certainly be useful to avoid downswings really hurting your bankroll, so I would suggest changing your bankroll requirements to no less than twenty 100bb buyins for each level (so double what you have now). It is still a very aggressive guideline and it will lead to bouncing up and down through limits a lot most of the time, but as long as you move down limits with good discipline it should help negate your risk of ruin.

Thanks! I was kinda thinking that I was being a bit more aggressive then I should be. So always buy in max? I didn't know about that rule. Went with the philosophy that less was more, but thanks. I will implement that . Like I said, any other criticism is good. I know that I have to be comfortable at the level, but I figured the only way to do that is to jump into it, I guess. If I jump and don't feel I am playing right, I suppose it would be better to move down and gradually get comfortable. Or I can do what I normally do and start with limit. Again, thank you very much for the advice. I will let you guys know how I am doing if you care to read it or not.

[XXEddie 0]

Week 2 of Project Back to the Grind. BR sits at $300 right now. Up like $40 this week solely from SnGs and small MTT cashes. Probably down like 2BIs in cash. This week I remembered two things and learned one thing from Cody (AKA r0llin_game on FCP on gametymer on any poker site).I remembered how terrible low limit LHE players are. It's really laughable. I also remembered that SnGs players are also terrible. I played 4 yesterday, 3 wins and a 2nd. Obviously that's a small sample and no way I keep up that pace, but the players are sooooo bad. Every SnG was the same - first few levels play TAG and pick up a hand and some donk will spaz off their stack. Then when we get down to 6 handed or so I basically minraise every third hand and pick up the blinds. I learned that preflop minraises are awesome in SnGs and the later stages of MTTs. I get so many chips in SnGs from minraising and either taking down the blinds or c-bet the flop for under 2BB and taking it down. I've also decided that I will balance my cash game play between 6-max and FR. I will probably stay at 6-max when I play LHE, but for NLHE will try to switch it up more and see how my results turn out.

[QED 4]

Limit Holdem makes me want to bang my head on my desk till my brain turns to mush mad props to anyone that can play it without similar results.

[KosinTrouble 0]

Limit Holdem makes me want to bang my head on my desk till my brain turns to mush mad props to anyone that can play it without similar results.

This statement is true!

[Nashtak 0]

LHE mind****ed me. How could i take his pot odds away on his flush draw!? I sucked more than i do.

[CobaltBlue 662]

Hey, I am trying the same think that Negreanu is trying just for kicks and giggles. I was wondering if I could get any constructive feedback on if I have set the progression limits right and such. I might have also messed up on the blinds, so I do apologise in advance. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated.

As babylon said, you're going to get better faster if you play with 100+bb. If you want to short or medium stack, I suggest tournaments. Also, that chart is a tad aggressive. Honestly, your confidence, skill, and volatility threshold determine your stakes more than your BR in my experience. Also, don't necessarily pigeon-hole yourself into one particular level at a given time. Go where the games are good.Little example of this...last month, I played .25/.50 and 5/10 in the same week. In the former, I was trying to grind up my FT roll playing Rush. It has always been a bread-and-butter level for me. However, I also saw some good 5/10 games going on Bodog and had enough money on there to sustain a shot. Fortunately, that went well. After withdrawing and running sort of breakeven/crappy for a while, I've been topping out at 2/4 lately.If you want a few more specifics, I personally don't mind 20 BI for a semi-regular stake level. Maybe 10 BI for an aggressive shot-taking...probably 40-50 BI is obviously a lot more comfortable. As you move up, you'll generally want more BI since the edges are smaller and swings are bigger.

[Nashtak 0]

As babylon said, you're going to get better faster if you play with 100+bb. If you want to short or medium stack, I suggest tournaments. Also, that chart is a tad aggressive. Honestly, your confidence, skill, and volatility threshold determine your stakes more than your BR in my experience. Also, don't necessarily pigeon-hole yourself into one particular level at a given time. Go where the games are good.Little example of this...last month, I played .25/.50 and 5/10 in the same week. In the former, I was trying to grind up my FT roll playing Rush. It has always been a bread-and-butter level for me. However, I also saw some good 5/10 games going on Bodog and had enough money on there to sustain a shot. Fortunately, that went well. After withdrawing and running sort of breakeven/crappy for a while, I've been topping out at 2/4 lately.If you want a few more specifics, I personally don't mind 20 BI for a semi-regular stake level. Maybe 10 BI for an aggressive shot-taking...probably 40-50 BI is obviously a lot more comfortable. As you move up, you'll generally want more BI since the edges are smaller and swings are bigger.

That line intrigued me. Any words of wisdom on finding good games and tables? I usually just sort them by the size of the pots and join whichever seems to have a good combinaison of stack size and players to the flop. I also exclusively play at the level i feel comfortable at with my BR.

[nutzzcase 0]

love omaha started with 10$ Full Tilt Poker Game #28207610246: Table Alacrity (6 max) - $0.10/$0.25 - Pot Limit Omaha Hi - 20:07:11 ET - 2011/02/14Seat 1: 2nutzzz4u ($55.70)Seat 2: A Behemoth ($26.78)Seat 3: Jumpoff Jyi ($56.79)Seat 4: chause ($73.38)Seat 5: fullofkingz ($117.69)Seat 6: IHitGutters ($61.89)Jumpoff Jyi posts the small blind of $0.10chause posts the big blind of $0.25The button is in seat #2*** HOLE CARDS ***Dealt to 2nutzzz4u [As Ad 6d 4s]fullofkingz calls $0.25IHitGutters folds2nutzzz4u raises to $1.10A Behemoth foldsJumpoff Jyi foldschause calls $0.85fullofkingz calls $0.85*** FLOP *** [8c 2d Ac]chause checksfullofkingz checks2nutzzz4u bets $2.75chause foldsfullofkingz raises to $11.652nutzzz4u raises to $38.35fullofkingz has 15 seconds left to actfullofkingz has requested TIMEfullofkingz raises to $65.052nutzzz4u calls $16.25, and is all infullofkingz shows [Ah 2c Kd Th]2nutzzz4u shows [As Ad 6d 4s]Uncalled bet of $10.45 returned to fullofkingz*** TURN *** [8c 2d Ac] [6s]*** RIVER *** [8c 2d Ac 6s] [Js]fullofkingz shows two pair, Aces and Twos2nutzzz4u shows three of a kind, Aces2nutzzz4u wins the pot ($109.60) with three of a kind, Aces*** SUMMARY ***Total pot $112.60 | Rake $3Board: [8c 2d Ac 6s Js]Seat 1: 2nutzzz4u showed [As Ad 6d 4s] and won ($109.60) with three of a kind, AcesSeat 2: A Behemoth (button) didn't bet (folded)Seat 3: Jumpoff Jyi (small blind) folded before the FlopSeat 4: chause (big blind) folded on the FlopSeat 5: fullofkingz showed [Ah 2c Kd Th] and lost with two pair, Aces and TwosSeat 6: IHitGutters didn't bet (folded)

[KingJames 11]

love omaha started with 10$ Dont have a cow, heres your converted handFull Tilt Pot Limit Omaha $0.10/$0.25 - 6 playersCO Hero: $55.70 Button A Behemoth: $26.78 SB Jumpoff Jyi: $56.79 BB chause: $73.38 UTG fullofkingz: $117.69 UTG+1 IHitGutters: $61.89 Preflop: ($0.35) Hero is CO with (6 players)fullofkingz calls $0.25, IHitGutters folds, Hero raises to $1.10, 2 folds, chause calls $0.85, fullofkingz calls $0.85Flop: ($3.40) (3 players)chause checks, fullofkingz checks, Hero bets $2.75, chause folds, fullofkingz raises to $11.65, Hero raises to $38.35, fullofkingz raises to $65.05, Hero calls $16.25, and is all inTurn: ($112.60) (2 players)River: ($112.60) (2 players)Hero showed , and won ($109.60) with three of a kind, Acesfullofkingz showed , and lost with two pair, Aces and TwosHero won $109.60(Rake: $3)

fypnice hand, sir, nice hand

[kepper 0]

Your converted hand, now with more cowbell.HEM/Poker Stars NL Hold'em $0.10/$0.25 ante $0.05 - 8 playersSB: $67.85 BB: $64.18 (Hero)UTG: $103.49 UTG+1: $53.92 MP: $25.00 HJ: $63.41 CO: $32.64 Button: $64.23 Preflop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with (8 players)UTG calls $0.25, 3 folds, CO calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25, SB folds, Hero checksFlop: ($1.50) (4 players)Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, CO folds, Button calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2.67, UTG calls $2.17, Button foldsTurn: ($7.34) (2 players)Hero bets $4.89, UTG raises to $9.78, Hero calls $4.89River: ($26.90) (2 players)Hero checks, UTG bets $18.00, Hero calls $18.00UTG showed , Hero showed , UTG won $60.90

[KingJames 11]

I'm raising 99 out of the bb vs a bunch of limpers really close to 100%then you can fold when he l/rr, ez game

[CobaltBlue 662]

That line intrigued me. Any words of wisdom on finding good games and tables? I usually just sort them by the size of the pots and join whichever seems to have a good combinaison of stack size and players to the flop. I also exclusively play at the level i feel comfortable at with my BR.

Well, outside of Rush these days, it's actually quite rare that I join tables that are running. I'm generally starting tables...either HU, 6-max, or FR. The nice benefit of this is that usually fish sit with me and I get to play them HU or shorthanded until the vultures circle in. Winning players occasionally sit, but I typically choose to not play them. I guess I get called a bumhunter and resented occasionally for taking that approach, but I don't feel that's valid. Game selection is important to playing poker when the goal is winning money as opposed to learning. I'm not "afraid" to play the regs, but I just don't see much point to sitting at a table with like 1 fish and 4 winning regs when I can go start another table and potentially have it fill up with fish for a while.If I were going to join running games, I would typically look for big average pots and higher percentages to the flop. I'd also check my notes and PTR unknowns.

[nutzzcase 0]

trying to run 10$ into 100$ again , didn't feel like the right hand to do it tho. Feral Cow Poker Hand ConverterFull Tilt Pot Limit Omaha $0.10/$0.25 - 6 playersSB: $26.11 BB: $53.67 (Hero)UTG: $49.39 UTG+1: $34.85 CO: $60.78 Button: $14.08 Preflop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with (6 players)2 folds, CO raises to $0.85, Button folds, SB calls $0.75, Hero raises to $3.40, CO raises to $11.05, SB folds, Hero foldsCO won $7.65(Rake: $0)

[Nashtak 0]

On PS, in what timeframe are the stats for a table recorded before they show up? Sometime, i feel as though they are outdated and actually filled with better players who use the same strategy as i do.

[trystero 0]

Your converted hand, now with more cowbell.HEM/Poker Stars NL Hold'em $0.10/$0.25 ante $0.05 - 8 playersSB: $67.85 BB: $64.18 (Hero)UTG: $103.49 UTG+1: $53.92 MP: $25.00 HJ: $63.41 CO: $32.64 Button: $64.23 Preflop: ($0.75) Hero is BB with (8 players)UTG calls $0.25, 3 folds, CO calls $0.25, Button calls $0.25, SB folds, Hero checksFlop: ($1.50) (4 players)Hero checks, UTG bets $0.50, CO folds, Button calls $0.50, Hero raises to $2.67, UTG calls $2.17, Button foldsTurn: ($7.34) (2 players)Hero bets $4.89, UTG raises to $9.78, Hero calls $4.89River: ($26.90) (2 players)Hero checks, UTG bets $18.00, Hero calls $18.00UTG showed , Hero showed , UTG won $60.90

gross cooler but how are you not c/ring all in on the river

[CobaltBlue 662]

On PS, in what timeframe are the stats for a table recorded before they show up? Sometime, i feel as though they are outdated and actually filled with better players who use the same strategy as i do.

No idea. I pretty much never play cash on Stars aside from the rare Mixed Hold 'Em session...and FT is much better for that.

[meservery 0]

trying to run 10$ into 100$ again , didn't feel like the right hand to do it tho. Feral Cow Poker Hand ConverterFull Tilt Pot Limit Omaha $0.10/$0.25 - 6 playersSB: $26.11 BB: $53.67 (Hero)UTG: $49.39 UTG+1: $34.85 CO: $60.78 Button: $14.08 Preflop: ($0.35) Hero is BB with (6 players)2 folds, CO raises to $0.85, Button folds, SB calls $0.75, Hero raises to $3.40, CO raises to $11.05, SB folds, Hero foldsCO won $7.65(Rake: $0)

Flat pre?The deuce in your hand is a killer. I'd much rather be 3 betting premium KKxx and all run-downs. Maybe its results-oriented thinking, but I'd hate to 3 bet fold here. At least with a run-down hand you can flat the 4 bet and 99% know he has AAxx, getting it in on tons of decent flops where you are racing or have villian crushed.

[babylondonks 5]

especially 200 deep with CO too

[droberts 3]

pretty goooooooooot day today... ~3500 hands and +12 buyins.that also includes losing with AA aipf twice.. coulda been more epic

[droberts 3]

sigh james, breaks are good.. if u need any thing or want to shout, text me sometime.i also needed a break last year if you remember, it was about a month long.. poker is so demanding and draining sometimes.