Starting Over - I need some advice

ItalianFX · #1 01-04-2006, 01:14 AM

I normally play 1/2 6-max or 2/4 6-max, but I'm a losing player and I'm leaking big time. It has been getting frustrating working on those bonuses, but still losing anyways. The last two days I moved down to .10/.20 6-max on Absolute, starting the table with $5, and leaving with less. I'm not writing this because I feel sorry for myself. I'm taking a stand and telling myself that I want to start over and do this right. I know variance is a big part of the game, but variance won't do me any good if I lose more than I win.

Bankroll does not matter, but let's say I have $500 and I don't want to have to reroll if I don't have to (being conservative).

My questions are:

1. Which limit (6-max) should I play to be able to survive a big downswing while getting the most out of my play?

2. What should I concentrate on the most, i.e., hand reading, preflop play, postflop play, pot odds? Or at least, what are the most important parts of +EV play?

3. What do I need to be thinking about during play, i.e., player's tendencies, HUD stats compared to their plays, blind stealing, blind defense...etc?

4. What should I NOT be worried about, i.e., short-term results...etc?

5. What should I do to study the game, i.e., continue playing as much as possible, review hand histories, respond on the forum to other player's hands, post my hands, read books?

I probably seem like a pest to most of you, but it is time to get as serious as I can about this game because I want to be successful ASAP in the right amount of time.

Here are some stats on my play right now (although very short-term):

Total $ Won: (310.35)
Total Hands: 8,890
Hours: 108.80
BB/Hr.: (1.38)
BB/100: (1.69)
VP$IP: 18.41

I know most of you can't stand posts like this, but I'm just asking for help. It's time to do things right.

And honestly, for the player(s) who help me out the most to turn my game around, I am willing to reward you for your time. I'm a man of my word. I'm not asking for a coach, but merely, someone to guide me in the right direction.

milesdyson · #2 01-04-2006, 01:18 AM

500 bucks, go to party 0.5/1 6max.

work on your preflop play mainly at first. go on a mission to figure out why your vpip is 18 and around here 25 is the norm.

MrWookie · #3 01-04-2006, 01:31 AM

I've noticed you being quite active in the forum, and I'm glad you're struggling to get better. One other thing that I've noticed is that the number of your hand posts (or replies to others in your own posts) is very large compared to the number of your replies to the posts of others. I and many veterans here will tell you that it's usually more beneficial to type out responses to the posts of others than it is to post your hands. This is because when you respond to a hand, you're forced to work out on your own the proper action to the best of your ability rather than getting spoonfed the answer by the forum. If you explain yourself thoroughly, even if you get it wrong, people get to correct the reasoning behind your proposed action, which is really what you want. Here's a much longer post I made on the subject. It also contains a list of what, IMO, are the most important concepts for you to be focusing on. If you're sure to write about how you think the do (or don't) apply in your responses, you'll go far.

WelshChip · #4 01-04-2006, 01:32 AM

First thing that stands out is the Vp$IP stat that you have, you should be aiming for 23 - 25% on the 6 max tables. I would agree with miles to hit the party tabels with the $500 that you have.

Start right from the basics with your preflop play and getting all basics i.e pot odds, cleaning up your outs and get them to a high level.

Best way to learn i think are all the online internet forums like this one and the numerious others, there are alot of very good players which are willing to share their welth of knowlage.

WelshChip

ItalianFX · #5 01-04-2006, 02:02 AM

I use this Preflop chart, good/bad/anything better?

Preflop Starting Hands Chart

I modified it so it's a little easier to read for me along with my table up at the same time, but it's the same nonetheless.

I will begin my new adventure by sticking to this stictly.

jba · #6 01-04-2006, 02:06 AM

Italian,

have you read abdul's preflop strategy guide? rather than follow a chart exactly, think about why you are deciding to play KTo in some situations and not others. or against which players and tables you can 3bet KQs, etc...

know what I mean? you're not going to actually learn much from following a chart (though if you don't have the basics down it's definitely very helpful)

just my .02

Happydaz · #7 01-04-2006, 02:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Italian,

have you read abdul's preflop strategy guide? rather than follow a chart exactly, think about why you are deciding to play KTo in some situations and not others. or against which players and tables you can 3bet KQs, etc...

know what I mean? you're not going to actually learn much from following a chart (though if you don't have the basics down it's definitely very helpful)

just my .02

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi jba

I agree with your sentiment here, but it seems Italian needs some structure and work on basics before he can delve into stuff like abdul's writings. That's why the chart he linked to would be a great thing to follow. Nothing wrong with memorizing a chart and then, once you have it down pat, start to think about why you are doing what you're doing. That's how I did it, anyway [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Btw that chart is pretty solid.

ItalianFX · #8 01-04-2006, 02:11 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Italian,

have you read abdul's preflop strategy guide? rather than follow a chart exactly, think about why you are deciding to play KTo in some situations and not others. or against which players and tables you can 3bet KQs, etc...

know what I mean? you're not going to actually learn much from following a chart (though if you don't have the basics down it's definitely very helpful)

just my .02

[/ QUOTE ]

Never heard of that page until just now. I found it and will read it in a few minutes. Thanks.

And just for future reference: Abdul's Short Table Strategy

jba · #9 01-04-2006, 02:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Italian,

have you read abdul's preflop strategy guide? rather than follow a chart exactly, think about why you are deciding to play KTo in some situations and not others. or against which players and tables you can 3bet KQs, etc...

know what I mean? you're not going to actually learn much from following a chart (though if you don't have the basics down it's definitely very helpful)

just my .02

[/ QUOTE ]

Never heard of that page until just now. I found it and will read it in a few minutes. Thanks.

And just for future reference: Abdul's Short Table Strategy

[/ QUOTE ]

actually I was talking about this, but everything this guy has written is worth reading IMO

ItalianFX · #10 01-04-2006, 02:21 AM

MrWookie:

Great post. I read it and I am reading the inner-directed threads. Great information!

I will work on that 5/day challenge, but what I like to do is: open a new thread, and click on reply. That gives me a blank screen with the original hand below without the other responses. I then like to take each street separately and play it through individually. A few of my posts, which isn't worth searching for, you'll see that I did just that.