I need a mentor!
 

I will probably get a few flames for this post, but I'm a big boy and I can take it. The one thing I can't take is the constant losing.

I would like to find someone that will help me to relearn this game the right way from day 1.

I have several poker books, and have been playing for approx 3 years but cannot seem to sustain any real runs. I will not take tons of anyone's time, but would like to have someone help me to learn the game in the correct order.

I am willing to start at the nanos or micros, but I am tired of making deposits only to help someone elses bankroll.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any flaming will be ignored, so have fun with it but I won't respond.

Thanks in advance!

PS. I consider myself a fairly intelligent guy (IQ over 150), but this game is making me feel a bit ignorant.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I consider myself a fairly intelligent guy (IQ over 150)

[/ QUOTE ]
This belief is the reason you don't win at poker.

You're welcome.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
PS. I consider myself a fairly intelligent guy (IQ over 150), but this game is making me feel a bit ignorant.



[/ QUOTE ]
This game is enough to make a preacher cuss.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Everyone here is above IQ 175 and mostly don't win.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

LSUfan,

Heres a suggestion.

Decide what you want to play. Either limit or no limit, holdem or omaha etc.

Look at the smallest stakes forum that game has here. Read some posts, think about what you would do in that situation and then read the answers. Post some hands of your own. Ask if they have some sort of hand swap/review going on.

In this forum you are just gonna get flamed.

Oh, and regarding poker books. Put them all somewhere dark and get Getting Started in Hold em by Ed Miller and read that a couple of times through.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Anyone who actually had an IQ of 150 wouldn't describe themselves as "fairly intelligent" unless they were being modest. And if that were the case, they wouldn't have posted their IQ in the first place. Such a genius would also not have used the word "ignorant" incorrectly.

On a more helpful note, I doubt you will get any good player to help you for free. It wouldn't be worth their time. You could pay for a coach, but it won't be cheap. You'll have to go to specific forums and ask for that.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

I have no reason to lie about my IQ, and not everyone with an IQ above the norm uses perfect grammar, but thank you for your concerns.

I was not using that number to impress anyone, but merely to show that I am more than capable of grasping the concepts. This is the main reason I am so frustrated by this game.

I know there are people who can barely do the math who are winning players, and for this reason I assume there is something I am missing which a better player may be able to point out to me.

I understand that most higher level players would not spend a large amount of time without being paid, but I am not looking for a major time commitment. I am just looking for suggestions, or direction as to which way I should go with my learning.

Thanks to all for your posts.

Cliff

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Well the book suggestion is a start. Have you read any?
Have you posted hands on the board and gotten input?
Do you look at other posts and look at how they play hands.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I understand that most higher level players would not spend a large amount of time without being paid, but I am not looking for a major time commitment. I am just looking for suggestions, or direction as to which way I should go with my learning.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's the problem. If you want the coaching to really be helpful, it WILL take a major time commitment. At least large enough that no good player will want to commit for free. Anything less won't help very much. If you're just looking for a few pointers, you can get that for free easily just by posting on these forums.

PS- I really want to believe your IQ, I really do. But I'm pretty sure you don't realize how high 150 is. It's probably like the top .001 percentile or something. And if you really did take a legitimate IQ test and are not just pulling that number out of nowhere, you are being really weird about it. No offense intended.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I will probably get a few flames for this post, but I'm a big boy and I can take it. The one thing I can't take is the constant losing.

I would like to find someone that will help me to relearn this game the right way from day 1.

I have several poker books, and have been playing for approx 3 years but cannot seem to sustain any real runs. I will not take tons of anyone's time, but would like to have someone help me to learn the game in the correct order.

I am willing to start at the nanos or micros, but I am tired of making deposits only to help someone elses bankroll.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any flaming will be ignored, so have fun with it but I won't respond.

Thanks in advance!

PS. I consider myself a fairly intelligent guy (IQ over 150), but this game is making me feel a bit ignorant.

[/ QUOTE ]

three things:

1 - I'll bet you have fancy play-itis. Fancy plays are good for specific situations only. Reading too many books and believing that you can always "out-smart" and "out-play" your opponent (not sure if you think this, but a reasonable assumption given your mention of your 150 like IQ) are a ticket to bustville.

2 - Pyschological - Do you rush and tilt a lot? Rush can be just as bad as tilt. I actually play worse after going on a great run then after taking bad beats. You start to feel invicible and give back when you just gained.

3 - What limits are you at? NL? LHE? high/mid/low/micro? Your strategy will change will all combos of these.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

if you want a good coach, you are going to have to pay.

if you don't want to pay, there are some really good threads on this site. start by reading the links in the stickies of the forums for your game.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
And if you really did take a legitimate IQ test and are not just pulling that number out of nowhere, you are being really weird about it. No offense intended.

[/ QUOTE ]

explain to me how I was being weird about it.....I only mention it so that it gives people an understanding that I am a generally intelligent person. You assume otherwise, and I am weird? What are you, a MENSA idiot, or a wannabe?

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Most IQ tests don't prove squat.

People who take pride in some meaningless test annoy me.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

120 is an intelligent person.
150 is genius. You should be pissing on poker games because they're so easy.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

IQ mean [censored], EVERYONE ive ever met that took one of those scored over 135. wtf

But for poker tips, play very tight and very agressive. And bluff occasionally but not too often. This is for NL.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

You need a mentos? The freshmaker!

http://us.mentos.com/

AB

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I have no reason to lie about my IQ, and not everyone with an IQ above the norm uses perfect grammar, but thank you for your concerns.

I was not using that number to impress anyone, but merely to show that I am more than capable of grasping the concepts. This is the main reason I am so frustrated by this game.

I know there are people who can barely do the math who are winning players, and for this reason I assume there is something I am missing which a better player may be able to point out to me.

I understand that most higher level players would not spend a large amount of time without being paid, but I am not looking for a major time commitment. I am just looking for suggestions, or direction as to which way I should go with my learning.
\

[/ QUOTE ]

My IQ is greater than 150, better than one percentile, actually.

Who cares, it isn't relevant.

It is relevant in CHESS but not POKER.

Poker requires a left/right balanced brain. Math is useful, but not the end all - be all.

You know your IQ - what's your CQ - creativity quotient? And perhaps more important, what's you BBQ - your brass ball quotient?

To play poker successfully, you need a set of brass balls.


High Q means you score well on IQ TESTS, and that is all. I know, I've punished my fair share of tests.

As I recall, I've never seen a poker hand on an IQ test.

So drop your thoughts of "I'm smart so I should be good", and instead, work at understanding why you suck. And yea, playing for three years and still losing, you suck. You don't "get it".

Do you know what "overthink" is? It's what happens when someone is told their IQ is far above average - they then spend an inordinate amount of time thinking that they must be out thinking "average" people. It's BS. If you overthink in a poker game, you are shooting yourself in the foot.


Have you read ALL of Sklansky's books at least 3 times each? You should read all of his books every 6 months.

Did you know that Airline pilots are required to go back to school every 6 months for recurrent training? There a good reason for it.

You should re-read Sklansky every 6 months at least.



AB

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
120 is an intelligent person.
150 is genius. You should be pissing on poker games because they're so easy.

[/ QUOTE ]

P&P is the key to poker more than intellect is. Patience and psychological control are more important. While a certain level of intelligience is required, being a 110 or 150 is a minimal difference compared to having the control to not tilt your stack away or being so egotistical that you think you can outplay any game.

Just food for thought.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
My IQ is greater than 150, better than one percentile, actually.

[/ QUOTE ]
Priceless unintentional humor.

OP, have you thought of branching out into other games? I can't stand limit holdem but do well at NL and Omaha Hi/Lo (but stink at Omaha Hi and Stud). It's all about finding what fits your attitude/skills/style of play.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
You should re-read Sklansky every 6 months at least.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is probably my biggest problem. I haven't been reading enough lately. I have been through the books a few times, but they have been collecting dust lately. I look through SSH now and again, but I think I need to get back to reading consistently.

And for the record, I will NEVER list my IQ again. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

I am probably "outthinking myself", but I don't think I should be beating everyone because I think I am smarter than them. I just feel that I have the abilities to master this game, but I just don't know quite how to use what I have.

Thanks to all for the comments!

Cliff

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
OP, have you thought of branching out into other games? I can't stand limit holdem but do well at NL and Omaha Hi/Lo (but stink at Omaha Hi and Stud). It's all about finding what fits your attitude/skills/style of play.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have actually done well at Omaha H/L in the past, so maybe this would be a good option for me. Not that it means anything, but my highest multi finish was 2nd in a 10 dollar rebuy omaha tourney a few months back.

Maybe I am just playing the wrong game. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Thanks for the input.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
My IQ is greater than 150, better than one percentile, actually.

[/ QUOTE ]
Priceless unintentional humor.

[/ QUOTE ]


No, it was intentional - glad you got it.. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]


AB

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Here's the deal as I see it. Different people have different experiences with poker. Some people, I think, truly are gifted enough to start playing and in a very short time, almost immediately, start winning consistently. But, that is FAR from the norm, even for geniuses.

This is my experience, and I suspect that it is similar to many others:

- Invited to a home game, don't know what I am doing but somehow end up winning money at the end of the night.

- Think I am God's gift to poker.

- Start playing online.

- Lose my entire BR in two days.

- Tell myself I suck at poker and will never play again.

- Play again the next weekend because I think I am God's gift to poker.

- Lose a lot of money, dig myself into a hole, say I will never play again.

- Don't play for two months.

- Start playing with a group of friends in a weekly home game.

- Think I am God's gift to poker.

- Read a book.

- REALLY think I am God's gift to poker now because I read a book.

- Start to play online again.

- Go broke, again.

- Tell myself I will never play again.

- Buy another book the next week.

- Rebuy online.

Well, at this point you sort of get the idea. Let's fast forward nine months.

- Read my 10th book.

- Think I am God's gift to poker.

- Actually start winning some money.

- Things start to "click"

- Finally realize that I have become a winning player.

- Get over-confident and go busto.

OK, let's fast forward another three months to today.

- Lose the ego.

- Start to enjoy the game and not fret about it.

- Things start to click even more.

- Move beyond books. Don't need them anymore; now most of my learning comes straight from playing and thinking away from the table.

- Now am building a legitimate BR and am winning in the long term.

My point is, your experience is pretty normal. Poker will have you thinking you are brilliant one day, and dumb as a rock the next. But, with some determination, and a willingness to keep learning, you could become a winning player. But expect it to take a while and expect a lot of up and downs.

P.S. only time and a lot of hands will tell if I am truly a long-term winning player or will go busto again. But, I play now more for the enjoyment, and will continue to play even if my BR never gets very large.

P.P.S. About not needing books anymore, I actually do read books every day. I read new ones, and re-read old ones — every day. But what I mean is, there are certain concepts (mostly post-flop) that can't really be taught in books. Either you will get them, or you won't.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

Don't tilt.

You can pay me by money order, PayPal or via PokerStars for this lesson.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

i think you need to start playing phil, pokastat, and the other anti-brain boys. there's +ev!!

Re: I need a mentor!
 

I dont get why anyones discussion intelligence.

I think its just experience and being able to read/memorise and apply information.

COngrats on scoring highly on one test and being labeled as amazingly gifted.

But Poker doesn't give a crap how well you did in a IQ test.

You could have an IQ of 2090394 and poker still wouldn't give a crap, specially if you couldnt remember the last hand played.

You could be a absolute genious, but if you suck at hand reading you wont do better than the little high school drop out on the other side of the table who can hand read.

Poker rewards those who work and study longterm, your books collecting dust may be a key as to why you've lost longterm.

Go read SSH 3x and log 15 000 hands at the micros, Read and post tough hands here, Apply and question new concepts and lines. Debate any thing you find confusing. Oh and leave the IQ number at the door.

Re: I need a mentor!
 

email questions at [email protected]
I have made lots of money at all the types of variations. I would love to help, because it can help my game as well by going back over the basics

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don't tilt.

You can pay me by money order, PayPal or via PokerStars for this lesson.

[/ QUOTE ]


Gee, if only I had read this before last night....!


AB

Re: I need a mentor!
 

invest in the program "poker tracker" find out where is your weakness first. Do you just call a lot? Do you raise at the wrong time? Do you play some marginal hands in early position?

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]
I dont get why anyones discussion intelligence.

I think its just experience and being able to read/memorise and apply information.

COngrats on scoring highly on one test and being labeled as amazingly gifted.

But Poker doesn't give a crap how well you did in a IQ test.

You could have an IQ of 2090394 and poker still wouldn't give a crap, specially if you couldnt remember the last hand played.

You could be a absolute genious, but if you suck at hand reading you wont do better than the little high school drop out on the other side of the table who can hand read.

Poker rewards those who work and study longterm, your books collecting dust may be a key as to why you've lost longterm.

Go read SSH 3x and log 15 000 hands at the micros, Read and post tough hands here, Apply and question new concepts and lines. Debate any thing you find confusing. Oh and leave the IQ number at the door.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wish more people would accept this approach. There really are no shortcuts. I'm just on the "15,000 hands at the micros" stage now! Think LONG term (ie YEARS)

Regards,
Ian

Re: I need a mentor!
 

[ QUOTE ]

PS. I consider myself a fairly intelligent guy (IQ over 150), but this game is making me feel a bit ignorant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Although you may have a high IQ, the most important skills in this game are the innate ones, and if you haven't done anything in 3 years, you are probably not suited for this game.
In a lot of areas I am extremely weak, but in every innate mathematical category I am in the top 5%.
There are many other important indicators like risk neutrality, competitive, handles pressure well, etc. but it seems that innate math skills direclty correlate with higher levels of logical thinking ability.
For most people, poker is a bad thing. If I were you I would consider quitting.

And anyone who is willing to teach you for less than $500 an hour is probably wasting your time...

Re: I need a mentor!
 

LSUfan,

The following statement is absolutely not true.

[ QUOTE ]
And anyone who is willing to teach you for less than $500 an hour is probably wasting your time...

[/ QUOTE ]

While that statement would be true for somebody who is successfully beating the 10-20 games and looking to step up, a current losing player looking to beat the small stakes games for a decent amount should be able to get this kind of help for less than $100/hr.

The response you've gotten from a lot of posters might be true. You might not be able to cut it as a winning poker player. Who knows? Not me, and not them either. I would suggest PM'ing the mods in the Small Stakes forum and asking them for some names of people that might be interested. Good luck.

Cheers,
Dude

Re: I need a mentor!
 

If you've been playing for 3 years (how many hours?) and losing, poker might not be for you.