How do people go from small SNG's to $20/40 so quickly?

HitmanHoldem · #1 02-06-2006, 12:49 AM

I was reading stuff on this thread:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...part=1&vc=1

and people just seem to get up to 20/40 so quickly. I mean, wouldn't you assume that even if you hit big quick and made enough to handle that limit, that it would be a mistake to go jump to such high limits so fast?

Just wondering what everyone else thought of this. I just don't see how people play such high stakes without years of experience.

HitmanHoldem · #2 02-06-2006, 03:14 AM

any comments?

Sandberg · #3 02-06-2006, 03:17 AM

I have no idea how people progress that quickly into $20-$40 especially if this is what they are playing on line and not in a B & M. I've slowly moved up from .50/1 to 2/4 and it's taken me nearly a year. My bankroll isn't quite there yet but I think I could hold my own at 20/40 in a B & M but would get crushed online. Some people just have better poker instincts than others I guess.

C-Dog · #4 02-06-2006, 03:29 AM

Sandberg hit it on the head. SOme people just get "it" quicker than others. I have moved from .50/1.00 to 1/2 (6 Max) then to 3/6 (6 Max) and 2/4 Full. I am rolled for 10/20 or so because I happen to be a decent MTTer. But I am just moving up after I reach a certain threshold for each level. Of Course I am leaving 2/4 because I am getting killed lately so I dont know what that means. I dont like full ring anyway.

HitmanHoldem · #5 02-06-2006, 03:49 AM

I'm reading some things about people playing 300/600 when the games available, and then he said he wanted to get some coaching?

I mean, if you're good enough to be playing 300/600, how much coaching could you possibly need?

Also, i'm seeing things like people starting off with 200 in their account. They run well and get to 500 and take that to the 5/10 table? Isn't that really poor bankroll management, and just an indication that you're trying to hit quick and get lucky?

I just don't see how that's sound poker strategy. It's taken me so long starting from some low .10/.25 NL games and a bankroll around $500, and now at about $2,500 with multiple cashouts on the way, I've finally moved up to $2/4 Limit and $.50/$1 NL.

I dunno, I just don't see how these people are playing such ridiculous stakes and making so much money so fast when it seems like they started just where I did and as their bankroll increased, they didn't stop to improve their play, they just kept increasing in stakes at a pace that's not safe to their bankroll.

It leads me to think that the cards must've been running real hot for a real long time for some of these guys. Might just be me, but I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks about this.

Sandberg · #6 02-06-2006, 03:56 AM

Hitman, based on your description, I think what's going on here is people are simply reloading their account with non poker money. I bought in for $100 a year ago and now I'm well into four figures having cashed out some money and not re bought back in. I'm grinding it out on the 2-4's online and play as high as 6-12 in B&M's but I'm interested in slowly building a bankroll.

These players might just have a few grand sitting around and decide to give poker a try. I think there are enough players doing this that people who are interested in taking there time at a level and building a roll can continue to do that. If everyone spent six months at each level before moving up, it would be hard to get good games.

People tend to play the level based on how much cash they have on hand rather than poker ability. If you are some kind of corporate executive and you want to try poker and you have $500,000 sitting in the bank, why play $2-$4? Why not play $200-$400? I mean, it's a $10,000 buy in, roughly, but you can afford it.

Bubbles · #7 02-06-2006, 04:08 AM

Phil Ivey once said something like, "I think all top players, myself included, have played in games where they had to win." Poor money management? Sure. But the bottom line is that the these players are very talented gamblers with a passion for what they do. That's why they don't think twice about jumping into a good 400/800 game on a $110k bankroll. Hell, if I had their knowledge and their love for the game, I'd probably do the same thing.

StaticShock · #8 02-06-2006, 05:05 AM

If you want to move to the higher limits and top ranks you have to disassociate yourself from the money at some point and take the necessary shots when the circumstances are right. Grinding will get you somewhere, but it won't get you "there."

jschaud · #9 02-06-2006, 06:07 AM

i think what everyone is saying is that if you are short rolled, but can get in a game over your proper limit with a strong advantage, you have to take that shot. i mean a casino with a net worth of $250 million would still love to see bill gates sit down and play $1 million a hand blackjack. They do have a risk of ruin, but they have +ev and will take that shot.

HitmanHoldem · #10 02-06-2006, 11:00 AM

It just still doesn't make sense to me and I'm surprised no one is seeing things the way I am.

I mean, if you're good enough to go sit down at the 30/60 table on an extremely short bankroll, why would you take that chance to have that dreaded 200BB downswing that could wipe you out? Instaed, if you're good enough to compete in that game, why not grind it out for a while at more reasonable stakes proportionate to your bankroll? Then after building up your bankroll a little more, take the shot at the higher stakes.

To me, even though I am very risk adverse now, it still seems to be a risk that is unecessary. People play 10/20 with a bankroll of $1,000 is just crazy if you ask me.