[jetra2]

Hey all,

I think that I have diagnosed my biggest online problem. I deposit only the minimum and play micro stakes limit holdem and micro tournaments (no higher than the $4/180's on P*'s). (edit: I always lose this because I get excited on a winning streak and move up before I'm ready.) I'd like to start taking myself more seriously online and not depositing for the hell of it - depositing and try to make a profit. I'd like a discussion of my strategy:

1. Deposit $200 into PokerStars. (I trust this site)
2. Play 25c/50c LHE and 50c/$1 LHE cash games only. 6-max is what I believe I am best at, so that is what I will stick to.
3. If I'm going to play a tournament, it will be only the $4/180, and I will follow a super TAG strategy.
4. I will not even consider playing other games such as 5 card draw or 2-7 Triple Draw. (damn you lowball!!!)
5. I will follow the 200-300 Big Bet philosophy before moving up.
6. I will invest in PokerTracker, track my stats and collect data on my play. If it shows that I should be playing differently, I will adjust my game.
7. I will not play NLHE cash games.
8. A logbook will be kept and each session will be noted with a simple buy-in, amount won or lost, and a short note on my play or on a player.

Alright, that's what I've got. Please discuss and recommend changes.

Thanks,
Jason

[jmc]

Sounds good. Also post hands that you're having trouble with and maybe the community can help you out.

[bigjohn]

I would try playing some small stakes NL as well. You might find less calling stations in NL rather then in .5-1 LHE

[gagners]

Looks fine.

BTW, only at CT is this kind of talk considered normal/encouraged.

[SpeakEasy]

Originally Posted by jetra2

7. I will not play NLHE cash games.

I would seriously reconsider this part of your strategy. There is more variance in limit than NL. There are more fish in NL, and you can make more $$ on-line by playing NL. There are legions of on-line players that would agree with me.

[RaiderJoe40]

As far as NL cash games

Ive always wondered about 6 max tables, if you play tight aggressive ( I think I do) isnt it better to play at 9 player tables as the odds of more fish and less blinds payed the way to go?....Ive never really sought out 6 max NL tables for this reason....I think I can see how at limit, 6 players may be the way to go...

200-300 bb graduation to higher levels.....this seems low to me, is it?

I mean, you can win 200-300 bbs in 400-500 hands....( by my log book anyways) I dont mean to butt in on your post, but Id like some imput on these thoughts as well...

also "poker tracker"...I dont have it, how much of an advantage does it give a low stakes player please?

[jojobinks]

Originally Posted by SpeakEasy

I would seriously reconsider this part of your strategy. There is more variance in limit than NL. There are more fish in NL, and you can make more $$ on-line by playing NL. There are legions of on-line players that would agree with me.

i'm not one of them. as good as NL tournies have been to me (very good), cash games, not so much. i've studied up, worked hard, and am just not making money there.

limit is easier to get good at, and nearly impossible to tilt away anything significant (if you're playing within your means). and it's how most poker pros in the world make their money.

[hachkc]

I'd agree that the NL tables are profitable but there is a learning curve there which can eat a bankroll quick. I'm a better NL player than limit but I've spent more time studying it versus limit.

Also, you may want to look into a hud like PokerAce or Gametime if you plan to multitable. If you only single table, the huds is not as important.

If you don't have an account at FTP, you might want to start there as you can qualify for a signup bonus of 100% and they are trustworthy. The bonus will take awhile to clear out at low limits but it pays out in $20 increments which will be a big plus to your bankroll. I've cleared close to $800 just in bonus money in the last 4 months from FTP, UB and P*; getting paid to play.

[TheMightyJim2k]

I think Jojo is a much much better NL player than myself, but I agree with Speak's point about playing NL instead of limit.

I am (not bragging but just telling the truth) by online standards a very good low stakes limit holdem player (I have consistantly won over 100,000 hand span and built up a free $100 to currently $3300 without ever depositing) BUT I wish that I had spent that time playing NL cash games instead. When I switched from NL to limit early on the limit games were much more profitable, full of calling stations, fish, donkeys, crazy lags that dumped money like crazy. In the last year many of the losing limit holdem players have improved to become break even players or have quit all-together. Many of them left when party shut down a few weeks ago. Even though the .25/.5 and .5/1 games are still pretty soft, you will have trouble finding soft 2/4 and 3/6 games online. If you put in a great deal of time and study you will be able to beat those levels, but I do not believe they are as profitable as the equivalent NL levels.

NL cash games have less variance and most new and poor players are donking off money there and not at the limit tables. To become very good at any poker game you need to put in many thousands of hands and many many hours. If you want to make this the most profitable learning process possible I would stick to NL cash games.

If you are going to try playing seriously then you need to understand that you may play for a year or more before you get out of the win a bunch and lose a bunch cycle. The key is bankroll management to stay afloat. You will constantly be learning and improving upon your game, and if you take it seriously you will probably look back at this post and laugh in a year and think about how much you have learned since then.

GL on the journey and always keep studying and learning.

[SpeakEasy]

RaiderJoeMarlin --

The basic secret to 6-seat tables, after much practice -- LAG PF play, TAG post-flop play.

If you play TAG PF, you will be instantly noticed and your "action" will significantly drop. Its very easy to spot a TAG PF player because he won't play a hand for 4 orbits, then come in for a 4-5xBB raise.

If you are the PF raiser, its almost mandatory to lead the betting, sized appropriately based on the texture of the flop. If you don't, you're opponents will certainly try to take the pot away from you.

If you like to see a lot of flops, play 6-seat. If you're truly TAG, stick to 9-seat.