<span> </span>I wish I had a buck for every time someone posts in PD that they have $50.00 to deposit and what should they play to build a roll.<span> </span>I don’t mind helping people out with ideas, or reading what others are suggesting.<span> </span>That’s what this post is about, to share some of my knowledge with the new online players about micro stakes, and what they can expect.

<span> </span>I’m a hobby player who plays a few hours here and there.<span> </span>I’ve satellited into a few Sunday million(try the 8.80 6 max TS, or the 11.70 DS, both are very soft).<span> </span>I’ll also occasionally take a shot at the nightly 70k, but other than that I’m a strictly micro stakes mtt/sng player.<span> </span>I’m currently working on a goal to play 1,000 1.10 45 man turbos, and to date I’ve played almost 600 with a 9% roi(got some work to do, hopefully the next 400 will see my roi quadruple).<span> </span>Altogether I’ve played over 2k mtt/sngs, and over 100k hands.

<span> </span>I still remember that feeling when I won my first 45 man play money tournament.<span> </span>I came to the online scene late in the game, in early ’08.<span> </span>My first experience with real money poker was at Turningstone via a $250.00 buy in to the WSOP ME Super satellite, where top 9 won $10,000.00.<span> </span>I lost when my A8h lost sb vs bb to KK, but this experience made me feel I could win at this game.<span> </span>So I deposited on stars having no idea about bankroll management or what I was in store for.

<span> </span>Here’s my first bit of advice, before depositing one penny onto any site read up on bankroll management there are several excellent choices on this page, http://www.pocketfives.com/poker-strategy.<span> </span>While you’re at it if you don’t have an account yet, check out rakeback.<span> </span>You may not make any huge amounts in the beginning, but you won’t be crying that you’re missing out on rakeback when you’re playing the higher stakes.

<span> </span>Back to when I first deposited, I had $100.00 it was a Sunday and flashing across the pokerstars client was an ad for an $11.70 satellite to the Sunday Million.<span> </span>I got a hundo, 11.70 buy in, I’m good to go.<span> </span>Obviously that hundo went quick.<span> </span>My next foray was the Step’s to the WSOP ME, boom another couple hundred gone.<span> </span>This is how you should NOT start out, trust me.<span> </span>At the beginning of my first deposit, I was sweating Barry Greenstein on pokerstars, and he kept bringing up pokerroad.com in the chat.<span> </span>So, I checked it out, and got hooked on the WSOP 2008 coverage.<span> </span>During the commercials pocketfives was advertising so I took a look and started educating myself about online poker and I joined as my pokerstars player name, rebelfd.

<span> </span>Here’s my next bit of advice.<span> </span>Always keep learning, read, read, and when you’re done reading, read some more.<span> </span>There are those savants who say they’ve never read one poker book, or even a strategy article, and they’ve made it big time.<span> </span>For the rest of us mere mortals, we’re going to have to hit the books, forums, get some coaching, or some online video training.<span> </span>For books there’s so many out there, but for a beginner, try Harrington on Hold ‘em I & II for general strategy.<span> </span>Winning Tournaments one hand at a Time I & II are also MUST reads.<span> </span>Nothing however will substitute for actual play.<span> </span>So start grinding.<span> </span>If you’re like most us true beginners, expect to lose.<span> </span>As long as you’re not breaking the bank of your life roll, consider the losses as tuition.<span> </span>If you hit a nice score, stay away from CASH games.<span> </span>After I won my first 4.40 180 man, I figured I’d play some cash games.<span> </span>I’d played 1-2 at Turningstone, how different could online be, right?<span> </span>We’ll it’s like playing 10-20 live, I got killed, and it was like burning $100.00.<span> </span>Cash games are filled with sharks that will eat you alive, so steer clear.<span> </span>

<span> </span>Some of the general things I’ve learned about micro stakes is that you need to beware of the min-raise.<span> </span>9 times out of 10 you’re going to be up against a monster, unless you have a monster as well be very careful.<span> </span>I have sniffed out bluff min-raises, but they’re few and far between, and very read dependent.<span> </span>Speaking of bluffs, don’t overuse them at the micro stakes, a lot of the players you’ll encounter won’t respect them.<span> </span>They’re thinking, bust me, that’s ok, it’s only a buck, and I’ll register in the next buck tournament that is starting or is late registering.<span> </span>

<span> </span>Last thing, if you want to learn this game we love, be prepared to pay in time, money, and heartbreak; especially when those 1 and 2 outers hit to bust you when you’re oh so close to final tabling a huge field that the micro stake's mtts bring.<span> </span>So when you encounter the inevitable bad beats, don’t give up, your heater will come, keep making profitable plays and it’s guaranteed.<span> </span>GL at the tables.

The swings I've had have been anywhere from a few to almost 30 games. I'm trying to control the variance by not adding fuel to the fire with bad play. I feel the last 50 games I have made some very significant improvements and hope to get my winnings and roi up. Over 18,585 hands my stats are vpip 25, raise pre flop 14.8. Trying to get that closer to 12 and 12. We'll see what the next 500 bring. Gl at the tables.

2009 Recap of goals.

1.) Keep family first. August update. <span> </span>My son has received his certificate of citizenship, we are celebrating with family and friends on Saturday.<span> </span>Year end update.<span> </span>We had a wonderful Christmas 18 people for dinner, was a little hectic but we survived.

2.) Have a positive roi on OPR. August update.<span> </span>Currently about -3% abi 4.32, ITM 130/868 15% compared to last year -29% abi 4.59, ITM 12% 95/769.<span> </span>Year end update, didn’t reach this goal, but was definitely better than 2008.<span> </span>Still have a lot to learn.

3.) Get better at bank roll management. This will obviously help number 2. August update.<span> </span>So-So I'm grinding 1.10 45 man turbos trying to build a roll.<span> </span>Year End update.<span> </span>This is a perpetual goal, I dabbled in MTTs while trying to grind the 1.10s, will keep this goal for next year and beyond.

4.) Find out how the hell to improve my late stage MTT play. This is really a big one for me, can't seem to crack this code. Any helpful hints for late stage play would be appreciated. August update.<span> </span>I'm trying to give my self a chance to FT and hopefully get 1-3 place cause we all know that is where the money is.<span> </span>Year end update.<span> </span>I am definitely seeing improvement in this area which is boosting my confidence, now it’s all about volume in 2010.

5.) Be an ambassador for poker, take my bad beats without berating my fellow players, and give bad beats humbly and graciously. August update.<span> </span>Screw this my new salute when getting sucked out on is, NH pause Donk.<span> </span>Year End update.<span> </span>It’s definitely better to be nice in the chat, which I’m still working on.<span> </span>:)

Hey coach if you read this you still owe me a lesson. GL at the tables.
<span>Craig(rebelfd)</span>