The Well : Reef

[Reef]

A stranger is being shown around a village that he has just become part of. He is shown a well and his guide says "On any day except Tuesday, you can shout any question down that well and you'll be told the answer" .

The man seems pretty impressed, and so he shouts down: Why not on Tuesday? and the voice from in the well shouts back: Because on Tuesday, it’s your day in the well .

--
I'll answer any questions from now until this time tomorrow

[zacd]

i love these, gotta start with the basics --

What's your poker bio?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]

What's your poker bio?

[/ QUOTE ]

My best friend in college got me started sometime around January of 2003. He was going pro playing NL100 and I was going to be his padwan learner. Now keep in mind that these were the 2nd largest NL tables partypoker had running at the time.

He started me off with Ken Warren's hold 'em book and told me to deposit $50. This is where my .50/1 limit journey began. I ran it down to $15 and was going to quit for good if I lost this (lol bankroll management). Luckily the poker gods gave me the boom switch.

I ended up staying at .50/1 for 11 months - or about 9 months too long. I then made the switch to NL25 6max and within months moved to NL50 6max. By summer of 2004 I was at NL100 6max and by Fall of 06 would be a regular at NL400 (DIE NL200 DIE). Before the partypoker debacle, I was a regular at NL600 but have since moved down to primarily the 400 game on pokerstars post-frist.

[barryc83]

Are you a college student or pro? How many hours do you play per week? If you are a pro, describe the lifestyle a little (pros/cons, typical day, etc.).

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you a college student or pro? How many hours do you play per week? If you are a pro, describe the lifestyle a little (pros/cons, typical day, etc.).

[/ QUOTE ]

I just graduated with my BA math in December of 06. I'm now a "poker pro"

--

The first 2 months of officially going pro I ran horribly and didn't put in many hours : probably ~60 each of those months.

But in March I'm proud to say I will be breaking 80 hours.

--

Typical Work Day:
Wake up at 2 and eat breakfast
Internet/2+2 for 2 hours
Go to the gym sometimes or run errands
Eat dinner/watch TV with the girlfriend
Work from 7pm to 10:30 pm
More girlfriend time
Watch TV / DVD / play video games / 2+2
sleep

--
Pros:
good pay on avg (freedom in life to travel, buy stuff, be debt free)
schedule freedom and flexibility
Being my own boss

Cons:
pay variance
breakeven streaks
lack of human contact
ability to be very lazy

[kamana]

favorite poker hand?

[juanepr]

you work only 2.5 hrs a night?

edit: right, 3.5. That still seems low

[Bork]

How many tables do you typically run, and what software do you use?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
favorite poker hand?

[/ QUOTE ]

J/images/graemlins/diamond.gif9/images/graemlins/diamond.gif

only play it when profitable

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
you work only 2.5 hrs a night?

[/ QUOTE ]

about 3.5

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
How many tables do you typically run, and what software do you use?

[/ QUOTE ]

typically run 10 tables. I found 12 was way too fast and every table more than 10 had diminishing returns that probably approached 0. At the end of a session if I'm browsing 2+2 and on AIM I'll run 6.

As for software, just pokerace hud and pokertracker. If scripts like betpot and tableplanner count, then that as well.

[juanepr]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
you work only 2.5 hrs a night?

[/ QUOTE ]

about 3.5

[/ QUOTE ]

that seems low, is it because the action slows down after that or just because you don't feel like playing longer?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
you work only 2.5 hrs a night?

[/ QUOTE ]

about 3.5

[/ QUOTE ]

that seems low, is it because the action slows down after that or just because you don't feel like playing longer?

[/ QUOTE ]

brain is like mush afterwards each of these session, which is like 2500 hands or so. Unless I'm running hot I probably have had enough for the day.

[gedanken]

newbie question here:

I'm mostly playing NL10, full ring, and it seems that the recieved wisdom is to raise with any PP and most suited connectors in position.

a) do I understand that right (or is it 6-max logic)

b) what's the reasoning?

I kind of see the logic with pocket pairs, disguising them and getting pot momentum going in case we hit a set, right?

Suitied connectors, though? They always give me a weak draw, ick.

I haven't found any posts spelling out a strategy for speculative hands.

[mathemagician54]

what kind of adjustments in play do you feel are necessary from 50NL to 100NL (micro to SSNL)?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]


I'm mostly playing NL10, full ring, and it seems that the recieved wisdom is to raise with any PP and most suited connectors in position.

a) do I understand that right (or is it 6-max logic)

b) what's the reasoning?

I kind of see the logic with pocket pairs, disguising them and getting pot momentum going in case we hit a set, right?

Suitied connectors, though? They always give me a weak draw, ick.

I haven't found any posts spelling out a strategy for speculative hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

good question, it's important to understand the reasoning behind each of your actions and not just because someone said it's the right thing to do.

Raising preflop serves a few purposes:
-pick up the blinds and limps
-build a pot with strong hand or strong multiway hand
-isolate weak players who will probably call
-let your opponents think your hand has strength / mix up play
-take the initiative / be the aggressor (much better than getting into a passive shell)

---
There's also the question of what your objective is to do. For example, if there's a loose-fish limping in, I might raise with a marginal hand like KJo to isolate him and play a pot with position vs a weak player. If there are 5 players and I'm on the button with 67s, I might raise it up to play a huge multiway pot with a great multiway hand.

With pairs I typically want it heads up or 4 way+ , but your hand strength is deceiving when you raise with 22 (in position) and flop a set. Limping low pocket pairs are fine, but use raising to mix it up.

hope that answers your question

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
what kind of adjustments in play do you feel are necessary from 50NL to 100NL (micro to SSNL)?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the jump in skill is smaller than you imagine. Big jumps are like from 100 to 200 and from 400 to 600 and from 1000 to 2000

But like any level you gotta get used to twice the amount of $ on each street. There will probably be a few less whales and the regulars will probably be better. But if you're winning at 50 for a good clip, 100 should be very very beatable.

[juanepr]

do you see yourself playing poker in 5yrs? if so, higher stakes?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
do you see yourself playing poker in 5yrs? if so, higher stakes?

[/ QUOTE ]

I definitely do NOT see poker as a career for me. It's just a job, and not my passion. That's not to say I am dragging my feet every night to play - sometimes I really have the urge to play.

So in 5 years I can see myself teaching math and playing poker on the weekends or whenever I had extra time. Hopefully by then the legislation arena will have changed for the better or else the games are going to only get tougher and tougher. The game changes by the month almost and it's a get-better-or-die environment.

If I was only at NL1000 in 5 years playing for fun as a profitable hobby, I'd be fine with that.

[Machavelli]

What kind of bb/100hands can a winning player at your stakes hope to make? I assume it drops significantly as the stakes get higher?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
What kind of bb/100hands can a winning player at your stakes hope to make? I assume it drops significantly as the stakes get higher?

[/ QUOTE ]

at 400, the very best regs probably average 7-8 PTBB/100 -not very many of these and they'll usually move up. The decent winning regs probably 4-5.

[Machavelli]

Did your evolution as a poker player (thought process, etc) come in small steps or do you feel like one day something clicked and you understood the game that much better?

[molotom]

Sometimes I see a post here where it is recommended to shove turn with a real monster of a hand. Why don't we put some chips in on the turn, then the rest in on the river come what may: wouldn't this better encourage the villain to call (especially at micro stakes)?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Did your evolution as a poker player (thought process, etc) come in small steps or do you feel like one day something clicked and you understood the game that much better?

[/ QUOTE ]

small steps that kind of grouped together in phases in the progression below:

(feel confused / unsure about your game) >>>
(relearning / studying more / analyzing hands) >>>
(running good playing good and thinking you're poker god) >>>
(run bad and / or your game gets stagnant) >>>
(feel confused / unsure about your game) >>>
etc

kinda like a circle of progress that you go in. I mean maybe some days you learn a huge fundamental concept or discover a big leak in your game and that feels like a lightbulb clicking moment. But overall it just takes hours and hours of experience and tons of hands for it to "click".

I'd say that I'm in the studying more phase and I continue to try to expand my game constantly

[creamfillin]

Do you have any helpful bankroll management tips for a newb with limited resources trying to build a bankroll in the micros?

Also what are your opinions about adding in a few sit-n-gos or mtts in your sessions. Waste of time and money or good bankroll supplement?

thanks

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Sometimes I see a post here where it is recommended to shove turn with a real monster of a hand. Why don't we put some chips in on the turn, then the rest in on the river come what may: wouldn't this better encourage the villain to call (especially at micro stakes)?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is tons of information that I don't have here about the hand, players, history, and image. Every single hand and situation is different and should be looked at independently.

In general though, I would rather play my hands aggressively and have slowplaying be more to mix up ones play than the rule. I am fine with slowplaying here and there if you have the deck absolutely crushed.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Do you have any helpful bankroll management tips for a newb with limited resources trying to build a bankroll in the micros?
thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

If you do not have a way to replenish your roll I like the 20 buyin guideline assuming you have established yourself as a winner there. If you have a way to replenish, then 10 buyins is fine.

As always, a losing player will need a near infinite bankroll.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]


Also what are your opinions about adding in a few sit-n-gos or mtts in your sessions. Waste of time and money or good bankroll supplement?


[/ QUOTE ]

I dislike mixing games because I don't want to get out of a mindset (especially in the zone) for a specific game. Also, if I mistake what game I'm playing, my resulting action could be very costly. If you want to play sit n gos, just play sit n gos and same with cash.

[whiteflash]

"I'd say that I'm in the studying more phase and I continue to try to expand my game constantly"

Would you please share what and how you study? Books, hand histories etc..

Thanks for your time.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
"I'd say that I'm in the studying more phase and I continue to try to expand my game constantly"

Would you please share what and how you study? Books, hand histories etc..

Thanks for your time.

[/ QUOTE ]

go over hands where I'm losing $ or lost $ in pokertracker

lots of time reading/posting in the strategy forums paying attention to those posters' that I respect as a good player

talking poker with other pros live or on aim

keeping an open mind: don't think that your way is infallible, keep trying to look for leaks.

What would you recommend as a good Bankroll mngt for 100NL and 200NL for somebody focusing on poker as an income.

currently I`m playing Pokerstars 50NL 6-max 4tabling pretty nitty Tag 17.5/12/2.3 and winning, do I have to on loosening up my game for the higher levels ? So far it has always gotten a little tigher since I started.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
What would you recommend as a good Bankroll mngt for 100NL and 200NL for somebody focusing on poker as an income.

currently I`m playing Pokerstars 50NL 6-max 4tabling pretty nitty Tag 17.5/12/2.3 and winning, do I have to on loosening up my game for the higher levels ? So far it has always gotten a little tigher since I started.

[/ QUOTE ]

Being able to loosen up and play more hands really helps ones postflop game IMO b/c of the fact that you have to make more and marginal decisions. I'm not saying to ALWAYS play a 22/18 but trying it out can't hurt (either do it at your normal stakes or 1 lower). Also, as the regulars get better, they'll be much more better at hand reading and playing predictable poker doesn't maximize EV (moreso the case at 200+)

If you're doing it for a living, I'd probably want $3K for NL100 and $6K for NL200 (along with savings and a couple months living expenses)

[DannyOcean_]

Reef, would you be able to share your AIM with a NL25/NL50er to occassionally talk poker/ask about certain HH's/ etc.?

Any advice for someone who is aiming in the next 3-4 months to start deriving a partial income (college student, can't play full-time) from NL50, NL100, or beyond? What was most suprising/unknown to you about playing for income that every player considering it should know?

[barryc83]

What are your stats? Do you feel that 17/12/2 can win 4-5ptbb/100 at PS 400nl? I see from your loc that you live in the south, if online poker were to somehow "die," would you become a live grinder? What are some qualities that you think "bad Tags" have?

[fees]

1. lag or tag
2. how many hands did you play at 25nl before you moved to 50 nl
3. Whats you're feeling about agression, specifically cbets and second barrels at uNL
4. Whats your range utg and utg+1

[ybother]

Any comparison on what its like grinding up from micros now as compared to two years ago? Is the game tougher at lower limits today in your opinion?

[corndog]

You say that you don't want to be a pro in 5 years. When you are ready for a "real" job, you are probably going to be asked about what you have been doing in the time gap since you graduated. How will you answer that?

[Xanta]

How do you (try to) stay on your A game while playing?

I really feel that most poker players overestimate the quality of their B and C games, to the point where good players regularly play losing poker. Agree?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Reef, would you be able to share your AIM with a NL25/NL50er to occassionally talk poker/ask about certain HH's/ etc.?

Any advice for someone who is aiming in the next 3-4 months to start deriving a partial income (college student, can't play full-time) from NL50, NL100, or beyond? What was most suprising/unknown to you about playing for income that every player considering it should know?

[/ QUOTE ]

just PM me. I'll give my AIM as long as I get ZERO bad beats

As glamorous as being a poker pro or semi pro sounds, you still gotta keep a professional attitude and work / study at it. Make sure you're bankroll is healthy and don't spend ridiculously just to appear balla.

when poker goes from a profitable hobby to your sole source of income, it gets more stressful. It's also very easy to become unmotivated or slack, but on the other hand those with motivation and drive will really be able to pick up steam.

[CaucasianAsian29]

1.What do you do online while playing poker?

2. Can you talk about the affect of whatever you do online on your game?

3.do you get bored/sick of playing ever?

4. how long have you and your Girl friend been together, and what do you do together that's fun for both of you?

thanks for doing this.

Ps. Leon the Prof is an amazing movie

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
What are your stats? Do you feel that 17/12/2 can win 4-5ptbb/100 at PS 400nl? I see from your loc that you live in the south, if online poker were to somehow "die," would you become a live grinder? What are some qualities that you think "bad Tags" have?

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to play primarily a 24/16 but have toned it down to like 22/15.

I think 17/12/2 will be exploitable against many of the regs.

---
I highly doubt online poker will die completely and even if the games got ridiculously tough I could always just move down and still make good $ at NL100 or whatever killing the games.

I actually live in the inland northwest. There's only limit poker in casinos. I think I'd go back to school and get a 9-5 before grinding 3/6 and 4/8 for a living (they rarely run 10/20).

---

"tagfish" basically play horrible postflop although they typically have taggish stats preflop. Not being able to fold, bluffing in bad spots, going too far with medium strength hands, etc

[CaucasianAsian29]

Typical game:
folded around to you, what do you raise on the button?

folded around to you, what do you raise in the Small blind?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
1. lag or tag
2. how many hands did you play at 25nl before you moved to 50 nl
3. Whats you're feeling about agression, specifically cbets and second barrels at uNL
4. Whats your range utg and utg+1

[/ QUOTE ]

I like playing LAG much better in 6M but can't usually do it with 10 or 11 tables ... it's wayyy too fast. TAG is much better for tons of tables for me.

--

aggressive >>> passive at all levels

pick your spots and opponents carefully when firing a 2nd barrel OOP with a whiffed hand. Pay attention to player tendencies. Some people call a first barrel a ton but will fold to a second a ton as well. Much rather fire on dry boards and heads up, 2 villians max.

With a hand, determine what kind of range villian is calling you with and if checking in a way ahead/way behind situation is better or if charging them / protecting your hand is correct.

--

Here's my approx lag range: 22+, Axs, TJs+, KJo+, some SC's and suited 1 gaps. TAG just takes a bunch of these hands out.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
1.What do you do online while playing poker?

2. Can you talk about the affect of whatever you do online on your game?

3.do you get bored/sick of playing ever?

4. how long have you and your Girl friend been together, and what do you do together that's fun for both of you?

thanks for doing this.

Ps. Leon the Prof is an amazing movie

[/ QUOTE ]

sometimes listen to classical or jazz. Other than that just focus on the tables

--

boredom usually sets in after 3-4 hours. I'll also get sick of playing after a prolonged period of running bad. Breaks, days off, hanging with friends are +++EV for your game IMO.

--

we've been together over 3 years. Hmmm.. going out to clubs, bars, movies, cruising the mall, hanging out with friends, video games

and

http://www.planb.no/images/pub/film/borat.jpg

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
Typical game:
folded around to you, what do you raise on the button?

folded around to you, what do you raise in the Small blind?

[/ QUOTE ]

button: probably raising wide. Anything playable in the small blind plus a few more hands. Once in awhile 58s type or 45o. Also depends who is in the blinds. If they defend liberally or play back at me, I tighten the range up.


small blind: basically same as button plus any high card and any other random hand I feel like raising (literally). Also really depends who is in the big blind.

[paulw]

[ QUOTE ]

Pay attention to player tendencies.

[/ QUOTE ]

How do you find this while 10-tabling? Is it difficult, or does it come with just getting used to playing all these tables over time? Do rely on PA HUD heavily for picking up on tendencies?

I am currently single tabling $25NL, trying to really get good at hand reading, picking up on tendancies etc. before I move to playing more tables. Any tips on how you pick up on these tendancies/reads while playing so many tables?

Cheers

[Suited_Queens]

This is a very vague question but any type of response would be appreciated.

In a multiway un-raised pot (say 3-4 people) I find that most of the time when there is a situation where I flopped 2 pair in a fairly coordinated board (something like [7 6 4]) I find that the times when I go all in I am almost always beat by a straight or trips. Any advice for playing top 2P or TP+3rdP in this situation or am I just having a string of bad luck with these types of hands?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Pay attention to player tendencies.

[/ QUOTE ]

How do you find this while 10-tabling? Is it difficult, or does it come with just getting used to playing all these tables over time? Do rely on PA HUD heavily for picking up on tendencies?

I am currently single tabling $25NL, trying to really get good at hand reading, picking up on tendancies etc. before I move to playing more tables. Any tips on how you pick up on these tendancies/reads while playing so many tables?

Cheers

[/ QUOTE ]

for me, yes this means PAhud dependence and also being familiar with the regulars you play. BUT in micros, NO ONE should be playing 10 tables .. or 8 .. maybe 4 max. The idea is to get detailed reads, practice hand reading, and learn to make correct decisions in all kinds of situations. And then move up. Micros are to learn the game, not to try to make $. (making a little $ should only be considered the side effect of playing correctly).

Adding more tables just takes practice. You learn to think through hands and decisions quicker.

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a very vague question but any type of response would be appreciated.

In a multiway un-raised pot (say 3-4 people) I find that most of the time when there is a situation where I flopped 2 pair in a fairly coordinated board (something like [7 6 4]) I find that the times when I go all in I am almost always beat by a straight or trips. Any advice for playing top 2P or TP+3rdP in this situation or am I just having a string of bad luck with these types of hands?

[/ QUOTE ]

if you're limping hands like 67o , stop. If you're in the big blind and your 67 runs into 44 in that example, it's generally a cooler. Also, against the more passive opponents it is ok to fold 2 pair when they bet, you raise, and they 3b or push.

[Suited_Queens]

The only time I limp is when 2 (rarely 1) people limp before me. I never open limp. So if it's just some donk your playing and hes all in on the flop I should call with 2pair all the time?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
The only time I limp is when 2 (rarely 1) people limp before me. I never open limp. So if it's just some donk your playing and hes all in on the flop I should call with 2pair all the time?

[/ QUOTE ]

limping 89o after 1 player is a leak, after 2 is a small leak, suited after 2 is 'ok' in general (at 6M) as long as there are no active raisers behind you. Or I'll just raise it up myself less often.

in a vacuum , against a donk , on a connected/drawy board, 2pair is +EV to get it in with

bump

[SirFelixCat]

When you look thru your stats in PT, what do you focus on? How do you 'self-check' w/i PT?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
When you look thru your stats in PT, what do you focus on? How do you 'self-check' w/i PT?

[/ QUOTE ]

ok I'm not in the well right now but I'll give you guys a freebie.

I filter the hands by those that I've lost the most $$$ on both net and per hand, then go to the big pots in each of these hands... I also like to look at my results in each seat utg, utg+1, mp, etc and see where I'm losing $ there.

and within these big pots I'm seeing if any recurring problems arise like overplaying a certain type of hand or not letting go of a certain type of hand enough.

[ciro bonano]

If there are more freebies: you are playing 10 tables now. What do you think the number of tables should be for somebody learning say NL50? How do you "pick your opponents" for 2nd barrels if you are playing 10 tables?

[K䲰䮥n]

My game is exploitable by the following way:

Loose players that call passively my every raise but then become aggressive when I show a sign of weakness.

typical example:

Villain limps from EP, I raise on the B with KQs, Villain calls.

I miss the flop, villain checks, I c-bet, villain calls.

On the turn I fire a 2nd barrel, villain calls, I have no idea on his holding. If I check the turn Villain bets the river and ownes me.

Do I only value bet against these opponents?

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
If there are more freebies: you are playing 10 tables now. What do you think the number of tables should be for somebody learning say NL50? How do you "pick your opponents" for 2nd barrels if you are playing 10 tables?

[/ QUOTE ]

1-2 for beginners

--

depends on the board, and how much they fold in general to cbets and also if they're a showdown monkey

[Reef]

[ QUOTE ]
My game is exploitable by the following way:

Loose players that call passively my every raise but then become aggressive when I show a sign of weakness.

typical example:

Villain limps from EP, I raise on the B with KQs, Villain calls.

I miss the flop, villain checks, I c-bet, villain calls.

On the turn I fire a 2nd barrel, villain calls, I have no idea on his holding. If I check the turn Villain bets the river and ownes me.

Do I only value bet against these opponents?

[/ QUOTE ]

tighten up your raising range a little out of position vs them

use very few total bluffs (altho against a select few fish you can bet AK high for value).. you want some peice of it since they're calling with any peice whatsoever (or even float). Say you bet flop w/ whiffed AK for some reason (you thought they could fold) , you check turn .. sometimes you gotta be willing to call a river bet light with like A high if they always fire when checked behind. They can't ALWAYS have a hand. Obv some boards are much better for this than others.

[Reef]

http://www.asifa-hollywood.org/taf2.jpg

[tgr0ss]

Talk about your hand ranges in position, and how your rasiing up/limping
How does board texture affect your c-betting? .. what do you look for on this?

[monkover]

[censored] I missed it...