I've been playing poker for awhile now. Reading and studying, taking my lumps as my knowledge of the game has improved. I analyze hands that I win and hands that I lose.

However I'm still not a winning player. I keep reading post after post by these donkeys across a number of forums that chucked 50 bucks into party and after going on a rollercoaster now "get the game", yet I can't seem to make progress. I understand most of these people are fools that end up riding the friendly side of variance and then dissapear when they eventually go bust, but if I'm doing things right eventually the money should take care of itself right?

I don't play above my bankroll, and do what I can to avoid tilt while choosing soft games (although at the limits I play at its pretty hard to find a game that isn't soft).

I've been really trying to make the best decision and not let immediate outcome affect my feelings about that decision.

I've read SSH and haven't quite made it through TOP yet, in addition to reading every post on this forum and a ton from 2+2. More and more now when I analyze hands that are posted my thoughts are coinciding with those of the players that seem to know what they are doing.

But my bankroll still isn't growing, and my goal of actually playing some of the higher stakes seems unattainable.

Now I know that the majority of players are losers at this game. After playing for almost a year on and off with really mixed results and now a big downswing I'm wondering if I should just throw in the towel.

Is it possible that I'm wasting my time trying to get better?

imo, you're not trying hard enough. Post hands and quit lurking. Get involved in discussion. read more books. Play more hands.

It will come, but it's not easy.

I don't think you're wasting your time if you like playing poker. I think pretty much anyone can become a winning player (at least at low limits) if they work at it. Maybe you should start posting some hands here and find out if people think you are making any big mistakes. You could also get some poker statistics software so you can tell what hands you win with and what hands you could play better.

Anyway, welcome to the forum.

I appreciate the feedback.

I want to make it clear that I'm not looking for validation or sympathy or anything like that. I just want an outside perspective. I know that there is a ton of intricacy to this game, but even if I can't beat 5/10 for 3BB/100 shouldn't I be able to at least beat these microlimit games with everyone to the flop and calling me down with junk?

Even if my play is far from perfect these people are so brutal its amazing I'm not at least breaking even. I'm not one of those players that thinks I'll do better by playing in tighter games with fewer morons, I understand that my postive expectation comes from these buffoon's negative expectation.

Thats why I'm wondering if my lack of success is indicative of some real leaks on my part, because from what I've seen these other players certainly don't have a postive expectation.

Now I know that the majority of players are losers at this game. After playing for almost a year on and off with really mixed results and now a big downswing I'm wondering if I should just throw in the towel.


The world needs losing players too!

Post hands.

The world needs losing players too!

LoL,

Smash you are easily one of the funniest posters on any of the forums I read.

shouldn't I be able to at least beat these microlimit games with everyone to the flop and calling me down with junk?

Yes

How many hands have you played? The more details you can give us, the better we can help.

Also, and this is extremely important (and relevant to FCP, 2+2, RGP, whatever...). Don't be afraid to ask lots and lots of questions. If you have a hand, and it really is a difficult decision for you, ask us, even though it may be a no-brainer for us.

Will people berate you for it? Yes. Will you improve from the good advice others give while the beraters do not? Yes.

Oh, and buy pokertracker.

Well said. Though, there isn't much berating in the strat forum.

I ahve seen only two players who have posted their PT stats that have beaten games that hard. Its a fallacy that 3BB/100 is a regular rate for long term winning players. I don't have the link off hand, but there is a real good post at 2+2 about real PT stats that CallMeIshmeal took a lot of time to put together

Its a fallacy that 3BB/100 is a regular rate for long term winning players


Winning is winning.

Wprrying about much you're winning is a problam you can worry about later.

True.

I like to save my anger for general :twisted: As you have learned...my bad on that.

yeah, I kinda meant to say that, but went off in a nother direction. Win rates are really only a dick measuring contest anyway, its all on how good can you play, the rest will fall in line

No worries. 8)

People get the wrong impression about us in General - that's why you see posts here start with, "Please don't flame me."

Win rates are really only a dick measuring contest anyway, its all on how good can you play, the rest will fall in line



Win rates have a lot more to do with table selection than ability most of the time. The good table selection guy will win that contest over the better player any day of the week.