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When to give it up???

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  1. mmekaiel mmekaiel is offline

    Lansdale, PA
    United States

    Posts: 41
    Joined: Sep 10

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 9:52pm)

    Ok so just a little background. I am relatively new to poker, about 10 months old. I have read all of Harringtons tournament books, and two of Daniel Negranue's books including Power Stradegy. I feel like I have a strong fundemental background and am now developing my advance moves through experience and advice. That being said, I have not found the success in poker that I strive for and have worked hard toward. I feel like I am putting in the time (1,500 games played on fulltilt) but am still down more than $500. I do have a minimal profit in live play but my question is this:

    Is what I am going through just regular growing pains that comes with learning poker? Or is poker something that almost comes to you or it doesn't and I should just call it quits? If what I'm going through is just regular growing pains... Do I need to set a limit for myself? Is there anything more I can do to help the process along? Whats next?? PLEASE HELPP!!
  2. hurron hurron is offline

    Posts: 58
    Joined: Jul 09

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:01pm) in reply to mmekaiel

    Books do not trump experience. You may be playing at stakes too high for your current skill set. Also you may be trying to play by the book too much and not analyzing the situations that arise. Do not get me wrong the right books can help a lot. However they can not possibly cover everything you may encounter at the tables. Be patient. Post HH here on the forum and continually analyze your game. As long as you do not mind putting in the time and can be honest about your play you will improve. Hang in there and do not get discouraged. As for a limit, do not risk more than you can afford to lose.
  3. racer racer is offline

    Gananoque
    Canada

    Posts: 994
    Joined: Oct 08

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:07pm) in reply to hurron

    try some different sites, games etc and find what works best for you, and keep it fun :-}
  4. mdshack14 mdshack14 is offline

    Auburn Hills, MI
    United States

    Posts: 5,646
    Joined: May 07

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:07pm) in reply to racer

    You haven't played nearly enough. Just keep playing. You are definitely on the right course. The most important thing to remember is that these down swings will ALWAYS hit. Just gotta play through them. As long as you enjoy to play the game and can afford it keep playing.
     
  5. skate21221 skate21221 is offline

    Posts: 103
    Joined: Apr 10

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:14pm) in reply to mdshack14

    I was down at least 2k when I started (horrible BR management and didn't know anything about basic strategy) before chopping the midnight madness and going on a mini tear to get back into the black. My advice is basically just don't put so much pressure on making a profit at poker right now. Just study hard and enjoy the game, results will come with time and dedication.
  6. aad aad is offline

    Detroit, MI
    United States

    Posts: 2,986
    Joined: Feb 08

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:21pm) in reply to mmekaiel

    10 months is nothing. Sure, after 1 year of playing I was winning some tournaments but I wasn't profitable. $500 down after 10 months isn't extraordinary. What is your average buyin? I assume you mainly play non-turbo NLHE mtt's?

    Also, if you think you are playing well but you are not getting the profit you expect, you should get someone to review your hand histories to reveal some leaks...

    Good luck!
  7. mmekaiel mmekaiel is offline

    Lansdale, PA
    United States

    Posts: 41
    Joined: Sep 10

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:35pm) in reply to aad

    Thank you for the advice everyone... It really helps. I usually play the 5 dollar 9 person sit n go's even though I've actually had more success with the 10 dollar ones. I do mix in some 5 dollar 45 mans as well. And I do occassionally do the 5 dollar and 10 dollar deep stake mtts. And aad you are right, I do stay away from the turbos. I want to improve when I pick my spots before I start mixing in the turbos.
    Thread Starter
  8. bef99hwk bef99hwk is offline

    Manhattan, KS
    United States

    Posts: 7,332
    Joined: Apr 07

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 10:40pm) in reply to mmekaiel

    Pretty sure all I've done for the last 1500-2000 games is lose....we just suck and need to get better.
  9. 888Brandon 888Brandon is offline

    United States

    Posts: 302
    Joined: Mar 10

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 11:15pm) in reply to bef99hwk

    I started playing home games when I was around 16. I started playing online at 18. I read a couple of books but I don't think they really helped me that much. They may be good for other people but I learn a lot more from experience and dialogue. I found this site earlier this year when I got tired of depositing and wanted to see what withdrawing felt like. Reading through hand histories that people post and posting your own go a lot further than reading I book I believe. The other piece of the puzzle is experience. This is the expensive part. When I first started playing I would play STT's, MTT's, as well as cash games all in the same session. What I found to help me become profitable was trying to master one game instead of break even at all of them. BRM really can't be stressed enough either. The best players in the world will eventually go broke without it. I personally play multi table sit and goes and have between 200-400 buy ins online for the games I play. I think this really helps me play optimally and not worry about bubbling the money or taking a bad beat. Anyways I hope some of this helps. good luck.
  10. MikeBucks MikeBucks is offline

    Houston, TX
    United States

    Posts: 1,120
    Joined: Feb 08

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 11:28pm) in reply to 888Brandon

    Didn't read the OP, but I would say probably anytime an attractive girl offers.
     
  11. CPOner CPOner is offline

    Westbury, NY
    United States

    Posts: 133
    Joined: Mar 09

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 11:50pm) in reply to mmekaiel

     
    Originally Posted by mmekaiel View Post

    Thank you for the advice everyone... It really helps. I usually play the 5 dollar 9 person sit n go's even though I've actually had more success with the 10 dollar ones. I do mix in some 5 dollar 45 mans as well. And I do occassionally do the 5 dollar and 10 dollar deep stake mtts. And aad you are right, I do stay away from the turbos. I want to improve when I pick my spots before I start mixing in the turbos.



    if you are playing SNGs the books you have read will definitely be teaching you some bad habits for SNGs... you would be far better off reading something tailored specifically for SNGS like moshman's book
  12. RazorFish00 RazorFish00 is offline

    Moose Jaw
    Canada

    Posts: 507
    Joined: Sep 09

    Oct 25th, 2010 (10/25/2010 11:55pm) in reply to MikeBucks

    Be patient after 1500 you have only lost $500 which is better than a lot of beginning players it would be like 30 cents per game. Read articles and HH (Hand Histories) on this site some of the best article to get a good grasp on now would be BRM ( Bankroll Management) this is great before you are to set on jumping around in different Buyins. Also don't fall victim to the thought that higher buyin tournaments are easier than low buyin.

    I have read books before and they can give you a bit of help but there are other concepts like how to play a bubble or when short stacked. The books your have read probably focus on cash game primarily. Finally like others have stated experience (such as looking at HH) is much more valuable than any book.
    Edited By: RazorFish00 Oct 25th, 2010 at 11:58 PM
  13. Rainman Rainman is offline

    Posts: 53
    Joined: Jul 09

    Oct 26th, 2010 (10/26/2010 12:33am) in reply to RazorFish00

    Dont want to be a dick but after 1500 games you should be able to beat the 5$ SNGs.

    Sounds like you need to work on your push/fold game. Read all of Jennifears articles here, that should boost your game.

    Stick to 1 tables until you are a winning player there, 45 mans have more variance and might pull down your results. The 9-mans include all vital parts of the game anyway, you get to master bubble, shorthanded and HU play.

    Anyways GL!
  14. sgtbilko77 sgtbilko77 is offline

    Ireland

    Posts: 47
    Joined: Nov 07

    Oct 26th, 2010 (10/26/2010 12:47am) in reply to Rainman

     
    Originally Posted by Rainman View Post

    Dont want to be a dick but after 1500 games you should be able to beat the 5$ SNGs.

    Sounds like you need to work on your push/fold game. Read all of Jennifears articles here, that should boost your game.

    Stick to 1 tables until you are a winning player there, 45 mans have more variance and might pull down your results. The 9-mans include all vital parts of the game anyway, you get to master bubble, shorthanded and HU play.

    Anyways GL!

    All of this and if you can afford sngwizard ($99),it is a must for sng grinders
  15. drgnarn drgnarn is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

    Posts: 663
    Joined: Jan 10

    Oct 26th, 2010 (10/26/2010 2:19am) in reply to sgtbilko77

    there is huge luck involved in tournament poker. i know because i find myself losing 70-30's late in mtt's and constantly whining about it in the forums. i get so frustrated too thinking if i would of won that hand chaching $$$. anyway just keep playing solid and hope your hands hold up then you will eventually bink something.

    i suck but have won a few micro donkaments.

    oh yah make sure to read the strategy articles here and participate in discussions.
    Edited By: drgnarn Oct 26th, 2010 at 02:23 AM
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