Yep thats right, dunno whats happened to me. Seems I play bad and run bad at lower limits but higher up I seem to do better. Anyone know why this would be? It also only applies for cash games.
It seems every time I raise with AQ a person will have AK. Or for example this has happened a lot I hold top pair, they have the top set. Im not sure I have the patience to play at low limits unless it's sit and go's. Anyone ever experienced they can't beat lower limits but they are ok a at higher limits before?
I never used to have this problem a few months ago before I quit I was like an expert at beating the worst players but now I don't seem to be able to do it. Maybe i've become a worse player?
Full Version: I Can't Beat Donk Limits Anymore
Variance.
Don't make any moves and you'll be fine. You shouldn't see more premium hands in microlimits though, which might just mean you're seeing variance like simo said.
I've been experiencing a similar run as well. Mid year I was playing $50 NL and some $100 NL, doing well for a long enough period to come out on top. After cashing out the majority of my roll for bills I was forced back down to the micro limits. I haven't been profitable for a few months. Actually I've been break even. But when I started at the beginning of the year I was grinding it out after an initial deposit of about $50 and had no trouble cruising through and building up a respectable bankroll.
I think for me the majority of the battle was staying focused enough to grind out small pots on average that equaled a normal opening raise at higher limits. Booooring. I think half of the adjustment for me is dealing with players where you don't really have to think through hands that much. Just wait for good situations to jam the pot and people practically throw their money at you. Now that I'm settling back into the way people play, I'm starting to turn a pretty decent profit.
As for what you mentioned about having an overpair to a set, or having AQ vs someone's AK, that's just variance. You'll deal with it at every level. Hang in there and it will turn around if you're actually a winning player.
I think for me the majority of the battle was staying focused enough to grind out small pots on average that equaled a normal opening raise at higher limits. Booooring. I think half of the adjustment for me is dealing with players where you don't really have to think through hands that much. Just wait for good situations to jam the pot and people practically throw their money at you. Now that I'm settling back into the way people play, I'm starting to turn a pretty decent profit.
As for what you mentioned about having an overpair to a set, or having AQ vs someone's AK, that's just variance. You'll deal with it at every level. Hang in there and it will turn around if you're actually a winning player.
I've had similar challenges. Stepped back and had someone I respect watch my play. I had slowly and somewhat subtly picked up some bad habits of the lower limit players (playing too many marginal hands out of position thinking I could "outplay" them on the flop, too much check/calling and chasing). I also got paranoid about people slow playing monsters. I was mistaking weakness for slow play and throwing away too many hands.
Just play solid. Don't try to get fancy and you're good to go.
QUOTE (Doug @ Monday, December 24th, 2007, 5:14 AM) 
I never used to have this problem a few months ago before I quit I was like an expert at beating the worst players but now I don't seem to be able to do it. Maybe i've become a worse player?
I have the opposite problem, I can piss up to 25Nl but 50NL I seemed to get donked off. If you are beating the bigger games why play lower anyway?
QUOTE (Doug @ Monday, December 24th, 2007, 7:14 AM)
Yep thats right, dunno whats happened to me. Seems I play bad and run bad at lower limits but higher up I seem to do better. Anyone know why this would be? It also only applies for cash games.
It seems every time I raise with AQ a person will have AK. Or for example this has happened a lot I hold top pair, they have the top set. Im not sure I have the patience to play at low limits unless it's sit and go's. Anyone ever experienced they can't beat lower limits but they are ok a at higher limits before?
I never used to have this problem a few months ago before I quit I was like an expert at beating the worst players but now I don't seem to be able to do it. Maybe i've become a worse player?
It seems every time I raise with AQ a person will have AK. Or for example this has happened a lot I hold top pair, they have the top set. Im not sure I have the patience to play at low limits unless it's sit and go's. Anyone ever experienced they can't beat lower limits but they are ok a at higher limits before?
I never used to have this problem a few months ago before I quit I was like an expert at beating the worst players but now I don't seem to be able to do it. Maybe i've become a worse player?
agree with a lot of posts here...whenever im losing and my image is bad and nothing i ever do works, i go back to playin abc, i dont make moves when i think i should, then i slowly re incorporate things back into my game as my confidence level comes back
In regards to variance, I usually have this happen to me about once every two weeks, and it's just plain mint...
The following takes place between 06:21am and 06:23am
PokerStars Game #14264878339: Hold'em No Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2008/01/02 - 06:23:58 (ET)
Table 'Nephele' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: takikardiko ($11.10 in chips)
Seat 2: AngloBat ($8.70 in chips)
Seat 3: WILLAMI ($8.75 in chips)
Seat 4: ojoxojo ($9.85 in chips)
Seat 5: Woosh 83 ($9.35 in chips)
Seat 6: marcieadam ($5.90 in chips)
Seat 7: Dudeman IV ($16.95 in chips)
Seat 8: base84 ($1.85 in chips)
Seat 9: timbojjjones ($2.25 in chips)
timbojjjones: posts small blind $0.05
takikardiko: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [9d Td]
AngloBat: folds
WILLAMI: folds
ojoxojo: calls $0.10
Woosh 83: folds
marcieadam: folds
Dudeman IV: calls $0.10
base84: folds
timbojjjones: folds
takikardiko: checks
*** FLOP *** [8c Jd 2d]
takikardiko: checks
ojoxojo: bets $0.70
Dudeman IV: calls $0.70
takikardiko: folds
*** TURN *** [8c Jd 2d] [Ad]
ojoxojo: bets $1.20
Dudeman IV: calls $1.20
*** RIVER *** [8c Jd 2d Ad] [Ah]
ojoxojo: checks
Dudeman IV: bets $2.60
ojoxojo: raises $2.60 to $5.20
Dudeman IV: calls $2.60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ojoxojo: shows [Js Ac] (a full house, Aces full of Jacks)
Dudeman IV: mucks hand
ojoxojo collected $13.85 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.55 | Rake $0.70
Board [8c Jd 2d Ad Ah]
Seat 1: takikardiko (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: AngloBat folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: WILLAMI folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: ojoxojo showed [Js Ac] and won ($13.85) with a full house, Aces full of Jacks
Seat 5: Woosh 83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: marcieadam folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Dudeman IV mucked [9d Td]
Seat 8: base84 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: timbojjjones (small blind) folded before Flop
PokerStars Game #14264859022: Tournament #72394512, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2008/01/02 - 06:21:54 (ET)
Table '72394512 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: uwedr750 (1740 in chips)
Seat 2: muskins (3232 in chips)
Seat 3: Addemann (9705 in chips)
Seat 4: jimthedane (3259 in chips)
Seat 5: BrightnShiny (889 in chips)
Seat 6: DrmCatcher18 (5390 in chips)
Seat 7: berofra (4491 in chips)
Seat 8: Pokernurse79 (2480 in chips)
Seat 9: Dudeman IV (1290 in chips)
uwedr750: posts the ante 25
muskins: posts the ante 25
Addemann: posts the ante 25
jimthedane: posts the ante 25
BrightnShiny: posts the ante 25
DrmCatcher18: posts the ante 25
berofra: posts the ante 25
Pokernurse79: posts the ante 25
Dudeman IV: posts the ante 25
muskins: posts small blind 100
Addemann: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Jc Jd]
jimthedane: calls 200
BrightnShiny: folds
DrmCatcher18: calls 200
berofra: folds
Pokernurse79: calls 200
Dudeman IV: raises 1065 to 1265 and is all-in
uwedr750: folds
muskins: folds
Addemann: folds
jimthedane: calls 1065
DrmCatcher18: calls 1065
Pokernurse79: calls 1065
*** FLOP *** [4d 9h 6s]
jimthedane: checks
DrmCatcher18: checks
Pokernurse79: checks
*** TURN *** [4d 9h 6s] [7s]
jimthedane: checks
DrmCatcher18: checks
Pokernurse79: checks
*** RIVER *** [4d 9h 6s 7s] [Ad]
jimthedane: bets 200
DrmCatcher18: folds
Pokernurse79: calls 200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jimthedane: shows [Qs Ah] (a pair of Aces)
Pokernurse79: mucks hand
jimthedane collected 400 from side pot
Dudeman IV: mucks hand
jimthedane collected 5585 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5985 Main pot 5585. Side pot 400. | Rake 0
Board [4d 9h 6s 7s Ad]
Seat 1: uwedr750 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: muskins (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Addemann (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: jimthedane showed [Qs Ah] and won (5985) with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: BrightnShiny folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: DrmCatcher18 folded on the River
Seat 7: berofra folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Pokernurse79 mucked [Kc 2c]
Seat 9: Dudeman IV mucked [Jc Jd]
PokerStars Game #14264856808: Tournament #72394654, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2008/01/02 - 06:21:37 (ET)
Table '72394654 2' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Tony Tyson (5440 in chips)
Seat 2: peha99 (7240 in chips)
Seat 3: 4irik (1515 in chips)
Seat 4: $kimp813 (4780 in chips)
Seat 5: zensi0_1 (8200 in chips)
Seat 6: Tragedy44 (3480 in chips)
Seat 7: alijongman (2295 in chips)
Seat 8: Dudeman IV (855 in chips)
Seat 9: Rheinenergy (2020 in chips)
Tragedy44: posts small blind 100
alijongman: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Ts Ah]
Dudeman IV: raises 655 to 855 and is all-in
Rheinenergy: calls 855
Tony Tyson: folds
peha99: calls 855
4irik: folds
$kimp813: folds
zensi0_1: folds
Tragedy44: folds
alijongman: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7h Jd]
Rheinenergy: checks
peha99: bets 600
Rheinenergy: folds
*** TURN *** [Kd 7h Jd] [2s]
*** RIVER *** [Kd 7h Jd 2s] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dudeman IV: shows [Ts Ah] (high card Ace)
peha99: shows [Jh Ac] (a pair of Jacks)
peha99 collected 2865 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2865 | Rake 0
Board [Kd 7h Jd 2s 8h]
Seat 1: Tony Tyson folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: peha99 showed [Jh Ac] and won (2865) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 3: 4irik folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: $kimp813 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: zensi0_1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Tragedy44 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: alijongman (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: Dudeman IV showed [Ts Ah] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 9: Rheinenergy folded on the Flop
PokerStars Game #14264877340: Hold'em No Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2008/01/02 - 06:23:50 (ET)
Table 'Tethys IV' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Bothe ($2.15 in chips)
Seat 2: warrenb55 ($4.80 in chips)
Seat 3: Dragons_Egg ($9 in chips)
Seat 4: crashn2u ($43.60 in chips)
Seat 5: Kurzer7 ($6.20 in chips)
Seat 6: pusulit ($1.85 in chips)
Seat 7: YES. GO ($10 in chips)
Seat 8: Vinc082 ($3.70 in chips)
Seat 9: Dudeman IV ($7.45 in chips)
Vinc082: posts small blind $0.05
Dudeman IV: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Kc Ah]
Bothe: calls $0.10
warrenb55: folds
Dragons_Egg: calls $0.10
crashn2u: folds
Kurzer7: folds
pusulit: folds
YES. GO: folds
Vinc082: folds
Dudeman IV: raises $0.20 to $0.30
Bothe: calls $0.20
Dragons_Egg: calls $0.20
*** FLOP *** [Th 3h Ks]
Dudeman IV: bets $0.65
Bothe: folds
Dragons_Egg: raises $1.15 to $1.80
Bothe leaves the table
Dudeman IV: raises $1.40 to $3.20
Jony_M joins the table at seat #1
Dragons_Egg: raises $5.50 to $8.70 and is all-in
Dudeman IV: calls $3.95 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Th 3h Ks] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [Th 3h Ks 6d] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dudeman IV: shows [Kc Ah] (three of a kind, Kings)
Dragons_Egg: shows [Qh Jh] (a flush, King high)
Dragons_Egg collected $14.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $15.25 | Rake $0.75
Board [Th 3h Ks 6d Kh]
Seat 1: Bothe folded on the Flop
Seat 2: warrenb55 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Dragons_Egg showed [Qh Jh] and won ($14.50) with a flush, King high
Seat 4: crashn2u folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Kurzer7 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: pusulit folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: YES. GO (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Vinc082 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: Dudeman IV (big blind) showed [Kc Ah] and lost with three of a kind, Kings
The following takes place between 06:21am and 06:23am
PokerStars Game #14264878339: Hold'em No Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2008/01/02 - 06:23:58 (ET)
Table 'Nephele' 9-max Seat #8 is the button
Seat 1: takikardiko ($11.10 in chips)
Seat 2: AngloBat ($8.70 in chips)
Seat 3: WILLAMI ($8.75 in chips)
Seat 4: ojoxojo ($9.85 in chips)
Seat 5: Woosh 83 ($9.35 in chips)
Seat 6: marcieadam ($5.90 in chips)
Seat 7: Dudeman IV ($16.95 in chips)
Seat 8: base84 ($1.85 in chips)
Seat 9: timbojjjones ($2.25 in chips)
timbojjjones: posts small blind $0.05
takikardiko: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [9d Td]
AngloBat: folds
WILLAMI: folds
ojoxojo: calls $0.10
Woosh 83: folds
marcieadam: folds
Dudeman IV: calls $0.10
base84: folds
timbojjjones: folds
takikardiko: checks
*** FLOP *** [8c Jd 2d]
takikardiko: checks
ojoxojo: bets $0.70
Dudeman IV: calls $0.70
takikardiko: folds
*** TURN *** [8c Jd 2d] [Ad]
ojoxojo: bets $1.20
Dudeman IV: calls $1.20
*** RIVER *** [8c Jd 2d Ad] [Ah]
ojoxojo: checks
Dudeman IV: bets $2.60
ojoxojo: raises $2.60 to $5.20
Dudeman IV: calls $2.60
*** SHOW DOWN ***
ojoxojo: shows [Js Ac] (a full house, Aces full of Jacks)
Dudeman IV: mucks hand
ojoxojo collected $13.85 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $14.55 | Rake $0.70
Board [8c Jd 2d Ad Ah]
Seat 1: takikardiko (big blind) folded on the Flop
Seat 2: AngloBat folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: WILLAMI folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: ojoxojo showed [Js Ac] and won ($13.85) with a full house, Aces full of Jacks
Seat 5: Woosh 83 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: marcieadam folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: Dudeman IV mucked [9d Td]
Seat 8: base84 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 9: timbojjjones (small blind) folded before Flop
PokerStars Game #14264859022: Tournament #72394512, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level VII (100/200) - 2008/01/02 - 06:21:54 (ET)
Table '72394512 1' 9-max Seat #1 is the button
Seat 1: uwedr750 (1740 in chips)
Seat 2: muskins (3232 in chips)
Seat 3: Addemann (9705 in chips)
Seat 4: jimthedane (3259 in chips)
Seat 5: BrightnShiny (889 in chips)
Seat 6: DrmCatcher18 (5390 in chips)
Seat 7: berofra (4491 in chips)
Seat 8: Pokernurse79 (2480 in chips)
Seat 9: Dudeman IV (1290 in chips)
uwedr750: posts the ante 25
muskins: posts the ante 25
Addemann: posts the ante 25
jimthedane: posts the ante 25
BrightnShiny: posts the ante 25
DrmCatcher18: posts the ante 25
berofra: posts the ante 25
Pokernurse79: posts the ante 25
Dudeman IV: posts the ante 25
muskins: posts small blind 100
Addemann: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Jc Jd]
jimthedane: calls 200
BrightnShiny: folds
DrmCatcher18: calls 200
berofra: folds
Pokernurse79: calls 200
Dudeman IV: raises 1065 to 1265 and is all-in
uwedr750: folds
muskins: folds
Addemann: folds
jimthedane: calls 1065
DrmCatcher18: calls 1065
Pokernurse79: calls 1065
*** FLOP *** [4d 9h 6s]
jimthedane: checks
DrmCatcher18: checks
Pokernurse79: checks
*** TURN *** [4d 9h 6s] [7s]
jimthedane: checks
DrmCatcher18: checks
Pokernurse79: checks
*** RIVER *** [4d 9h 6s 7s] [Ad]
jimthedane: bets 200
DrmCatcher18: folds
Pokernurse79: calls 200
*** SHOW DOWN ***
jimthedane: shows [Qs Ah] (a pair of Aces)
Pokernurse79: mucks hand
jimthedane collected 400 from side pot
Dudeman IV: mucks hand
jimthedane collected 5585 from main pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 5985 Main pot 5585. Side pot 400. | Rake 0
Board [4d 9h 6s 7s Ad]
Seat 1: uwedr750 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: muskins (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 3: Addemann (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 4: jimthedane showed [Qs Ah] and won (5985) with a pair of Aces
Seat 5: BrightnShiny folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: DrmCatcher18 folded on the River
Seat 7: berofra folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Pokernurse79 mucked [Kc 2c]
Seat 9: Dudeman IV mucked [Jc Jd]
PokerStars Game #14264856808: Tournament #72394654, $1.00+$0.10 Hold'em No Limit - Level VI (100/200) - 2008/01/02 - 06:21:37 (ET)
Table '72394654 2' 9-max Seat #5 is the button
Seat 1: Tony Tyson (5440 in chips)
Seat 2: peha99 (7240 in chips)
Seat 3: 4irik (1515 in chips)
Seat 4: $kimp813 (4780 in chips)
Seat 5: zensi0_1 (8200 in chips)
Seat 6: Tragedy44 (3480 in chips)
Seat 7: alijongman (2295 in chips)
Seat 8: Dudeman IV (855 in chips)
Seat 9: Rheinenergy (2020 in chips)
Tragedy44: posts small blind 100
alijongman: posts big blind 200
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Ts Ah]
Dudeman IV: raises 655 to 855 and is all-in
Rheinenergy: calls 855
Tony Tyson: folds
peha99: calls 855
4irik: folds
$kimp813: folds
zensi0_1: folds
Tragedy44: folds
alijongman: folds
*** FLOP *** [Kd 7h Jd]
Rheinenergy: checks
peha99: bets 600
Rheinenergy: folds
*** TURN *** [Kd 7h Jd] [2s]
*** RIVER *** [Kd 7h Jd 2s] [8h]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dudeman IV: shows [Ts Ah] (high card Ace)
peha99: shows [Jh Ac] (a pair of Jacks)
peha99 collected 2865 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2865 | Rake 0
Board [Kd 7h Jd 2s 8h]
Seat 1: Tony Tyson folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 2: peha99 showed [Jh Ac] and won (2865) with a pair of Jacks
Seat 3: 4irik folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 4: $kimp813 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: zensi0_1 (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: Tragedy44 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 7: alijongman (big blind) folded before Flop
Seat 8: Dudeman IV showed [Ts Ah] and lost with high card Ace
Seat 9: Rheinenergy folded on the Flop
PokerStars Game #14264877340: Hold'em No Limit ($0.05/$0.10) - 2008/01/02 - 06:23:50 (ET)
Table 'Tethys IV' 9-max Seat #7 is the button
Seat 1: Bothe ($2.15 in chips)
Seat 2: warrenb55 ($4.80 in chips)
Seat 3: Dragons_Egg ($9 in chips)
Seat 4: crashn2u ($43.60 in chips)
Seat 5: Kurzer7 ($6.20 in chips)
Seat 6: pusulit ($1.85 in chips)
Seat 7: YES. GO ($10 in chips)
Seat 8: Vinc082 ($3.70 in chips)
Seat 9: Dudeman IV ($7.45 in chips)
Vinc082: posts small blind $0.05
Dudeman IV: posts big blind $0.10
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to Dudeman IV [Kc Ah]
Bothe: calls $0.10
warrenb55: folds
Dragons_Egg: calls $0.10
crashn2u: folds
Kurzer7: folds
pusulit: folds
YES. GO: folds
Vinc082: folds
Dudeman IV: raises $0.20 to $0.30
Bothe: calls $0.20
Dragons_Egg: calls $0.20
*** FLOP *** [Th 3h Ks]
Dudeman IV: bets $0.65
Bothe: folds
Dragons_Egg: raises $1.15 to $1.80
Bothe leaves the table
Dudeman IV: raises $1.40 to $3.20
Jony_M joins the table at seat #1
Dragons_Egg: raises $5.50 to $8.70 and is all-in
Dudeman IV: calls $3.95 and is all-in
*** TURN *** [Th 3h Ks] [6d]
*** RIVER *** [Th 3h Ks 6d] [Kh]
*** SHOW DOWN ***
Dudeman IV: shows [Kc Ah] (three of a kind, Kings)
Dragons_Egg: shows [Qh Jh] (a flush, King high)
Dragons_Egg collected $14.50 from pot
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot $15.25 | Rake $0.75
Board [Th 3h Ks 6d Kh]
Seat 1: Bothe folded on the Flop
Seat 2: warrenb55 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 3: Dragons_Egg showed [Qh Jh] and won ($14.50) with a flush, King high
Seat 4: crashn2u folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 5: Kurzer7 folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 6: pusulit folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 7: YES. GO (button) folded before Flop (didn't bet)
Seat 8: Vinc082 (small blind) folded before Flop
Seat 9: Dudeman IV (big blind) showed [Kc Ah] and lost with three of a kind, Kings
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