The well: Isura
 

I haven't officially done one of these, so here goes.

[ QUOTE ]
"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 Saturday, 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 Saturday? and the voice from in the well shouts back: Because on Saturday, it’s your day in the well .

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: The well: Isura
 

First!

Lifetime graph?
Saw a thread where you played full ring, explain?

Re: The well: Isura
 

Wow, I'm off to bed now but :

How long have you been playing ? ( Brief Story pls)
Whats your current style & Current Level ?
Lifetime Graph pls...

Thanks in advance...

Vava

Re: The well: Isura
 

What are/were your stats at 200NL?

What do you think optimal stats at 200NL are?

What is your UTG ranging range at that limit?

What percent does that equate to (checking PT)?

Thanks

Re: The well: Isura
 

nice. i think we had an ask isura one a long time ago but this one is official.

favorite live poker experience? (ie. favorite hand, playing vs. a well known pro, etc).

favorite post in 2p2 (and link of course)?

Re: The well: Isura
 

could you turn me into the next imran khan?

Re: The well: Isura
 

How many tables do you play? How many tables have you played before and how/why has that number changed over time?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
First!

Lifetime graph?
Saw a thread where you played full ring, explain?

[/ QUOTE ]

More than 0, less than 200k. I don't have all the hands on one database.

I sometimes play FR when games are good. I find my lag game becomes pretty powerful against helpless nits.

Re: The well: Isura
 

How often do you call 3bets a little light PF in order to set up a play on the flop/turn?

What are your thoughts on using this play a these stakes?

Re: The well: Isura
 

thoughts on 1/2 vs. 2/4? 2/4 vs. 3/6? 3/6 vs. 5/10?

Re: The well: Isura
 

Do you only play on Party? How are the SSNL/MSNL games there?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, I'm off to bed now but :

How long have you been playing ? ( Brief Story pls)
Whats your current style & Current Level ?
Lifetime Graph pls...

Thanks in advance...

Vava

[/ QUOTE ]

Story (copied from blog)
"I discovered poker in the summer of 2004 when I visited Las Vegas on a vacation. I did not play a single hand of poker on that trip, but was fascinated by this game I saw being played at every casino there. Upon my return home, I searched around the web about this game they called texas holdem. I ordered some books (5 at once!) and furiously began studying the game. Soon I discovered the site twoplustwo and learned much from the discussion there.

I built up my initial deposit of $100 into $4000 in about 6 months of playing limit holdem. At that time, I decided I wanted a change and began playing no-limit single table tournaments (aka SNGs). Playing SNGs forced me to really learn the math behind holdem. However, SNGs are fairly mechanical once the basics are mastered. So in September of 2005 I wondered into no-limit cash games. I played the Party Poker $100 buyin tables, but failed to record a significant profit in 4 months time. I realized that I didn't quite "get" no-limit holdem. So in January of 2006 I decided to jump down to the $25 buyin game and regroup. I tried to be patient, and worked very hard to improve my game. With perseverance and a bit of luck, I was playing the $400 buyin game by June of 2006. At this time, I hired my first poker coach. In retrospect, this was one of the most important decisions of my poker career. My coach, a seasoned player at the mid stakes games, instilled in me the correct thought process and attitude needed to beat the bigger games.

I did not play much poker after September because of a busy schedule at graduate school. In January of 2007 I returned to poker with a fresh outlook. I played the $400 buyin game again, but soon found that the $600 and $1000 buyin games were not much harder. I also hired my second poker coach around this time, and he has helped me even more than my first coach. This brings us to the present day. $400-$1000 buyin no-limit is currently my regular game (I jump around a lot in search of good games). In April I took a leave of absence from graduate school to pursue poker and some other business ventures."

I play a mixed style, but mostly lag. About 28/22 at 6-max, and 20/15 at FR (probably tighter than optimal for FR). I play mostly 2/4 to 5/10, with random shots at 10/20 or MTTs!

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
What are/were your stats at 200NL?

What do you think optimal stats at 200NL are?

What is your UTG ranging range at that limit?

What percent does that equate to (checking PT)?

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to play 20/15 last year at 1/2. Not when I drop back I play looser, around 28/22 or 35/20 when I feel like gambling.

Optimal is hard to quantify. But I think about 22/15 works well in today's aggressive games for most players.

I love pairs, AK/AQ, and suited connectors. Also suited suited aces and AJ/KQ/KJ are good hands at 6-max.

I have no idea. You could just use pokerstove to figure it out (about 0.5% for each pair, 1% for offsuit cards etc)

Re: The well: Isura
 

coaches that you recommend??

Re: The well: Isura
 

Am I making poker to difficult by focusing too much on dynamics and trying to manipulate my opponents ranges instead of just playing 2+2 vanilla tag ?

Re: The well: Isura
 

What qualities should I look for in a poker coach?
What are the most effective/helpful activities to do with coaches?
Thanks.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
nice. i think we had an ask isura one a long time ago but this one is official.

favorite live poker experience? (ie. favorite hand, playing vs. a well known pro, etc).

favorite post in 2p2 (and link of course)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Would have to be playing on the feature table at the main event this year. Playing with Hellmuth during the feature table was pretty fun, but we didn't play any interesting hands together. Also, I pulled a sick bluff in a 2/5 game at Venetian this summer.Stacks were around 1200 I think. I flopped a set on a monotone flop, got raised. Put the guy on a flush, but high 4th flush card came on turn. Check/check and I shove river and get him off medium flush.

Wow, this is really tough. I have so many.. This one is pretty good. If nothing else, read what Ray Zee and RBK have to say.

http://archiveserver.twoplustwo.com/.../1#Post3639095

Also, this has links to more great high stakes threads.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...p;vc=1&nt=2

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
could you turn me into the next imran khan?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
How many tables do you play? How many tables have you played before and how/why has that number changed over time?

[/ QUOTE ]

6-max I play between 2 and 6. Usually around 4 though. Heads up I play 2 and sometimes 3 if its against the same person. I used to play as many as 9 without a hud at party 1/2 and 2/4 last year. But I find I'm more profitable by playing less.

Re: The well: Isura
 

Hey Isura,

How did your vegas trip go? How did you do in the main event? I notice you haven't been writing in your blog on a regluar basis. Im looking forward to your next vid btw.

Whats your take on 3 betting light pf, and semi-bluff raising?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
How often do you call 3bets a little light PF in order to set up a play on the flop/turn?

What are your thoughts on using this play a these stakes?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is so player dependent. The important things to ask yourself are
- what is his 3-bet range
- what position are you both in
- what is your past history
- what does he think of you/your current image
- what are his c-bet frequencies on certain types of flops
- does he like to make thin calls or bluffs in big pots

There are more, but just a few things to consider. I generally don't call 3-bets light unless they 3-bet light. I try to have plans for floating or shoving flops with certain hands when I'm calling light.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
thoughts on 1/2 vs. 2/4? 2/4 vs. 3/6? 3/6 vs. 5/10?

[/ QUOTE ]

big jump. 2/4 is first level when your image matters. 2/4 to 3/6 is not much, and either is 3/6 to 5/10. but weirdly, 2/4 to 5/10 is kinda big. mostly since post legislation a lot of good players are playing 5/10.

Re: The well: Isura
 

Baluga wrote a good article regarding the skill and confidence to move up.

In your opinion, if a player has the bankroll to move up, but his winrate is mediocre (4bb/100) for a low lewel 50NL or 100NL. Should he keep on moving up, or first learn to beat those levels for a higher winrate ?
I always feel that I improve faster when moving up and taking punches, eventhought my game has tons of leaks. Of course if I`m loosing money I`m willing to step back.


I aggree that a good LAG will make more money then other styles (28/22, 22/18, 19/13, 16/12). However, do you really think style is that important , or is good hand reading flop, turn and river play more important ?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Do you only play on Party? How are the SSNL/MSNL games there?

[/ QUOTE ]

I play there, but not so much anymore (no RB). Games are good there, but not much easier than Stars or FT.

Re: The well: Isura
 

What is your WSD%? What do you think is optimal for .5/1-2/4?

Re: The well: Isura
 

Best advice to a SSNLer?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
coaches that you recommend??

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out 3-bet coaches. Also bobbofitos helped me. Just look for someone who is genuinely interested in helping you improve.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Am I making poker to difficult by focusing too much on dynamics and trying to manipulate my opponents ranges instead of just playing 2+2 vanilla tag ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Definately not. You make money in this game with hand reading. Although it is possible to overthink hands against players that don't think past their own cards.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Isura,

How did your vegas trip go? How did you do in the main event? I notice you haven't been writing in your blog on a regluar basis. Im looking forward to your next vid btw.

Whats your take on 3 betting light pf, and semi-bluff raising?

[/ QUOTE ]

Note, some of the questions will go unanswered if I've already addressed them in a previous post.

Vegas was fun. I won some $ at live poker. And played in the main event. I am going to start blogging more now. I am just finishing up my main event trip report!

Re: The well: Isura
 

What poker books have you read that you think really helped your game / improved you as a player and do you think some are essential to read even with the amount of information available on 2p2?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Baluga wrote a good article regarding the skill and confidence to move up.

In your opinion, if a player has the bankroll to move up, but his winrate is mediocre (4bb/100) for a low lewel 50NL or 100NL. Should he keep on moving up, or first learn to beat those levels for a higher winrate ?
I always feel that I improve faster when moving up and taking punches, eventhought my game has tons of leaks. Of course if I`m loosing money I`m willing to step back.


I aggree that a good LAG will make more money then other styles (28/22, 22/18, 19/13, 16/12). However, do you really think style is that important , or is good hand reading flop, turn and river play more important ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Move up when you feel comfortable, are bankrolled, and don't mind taking a small hit with the chance of running hot and gaining confidence at the higher level.

Hand reading is most important, regardless of style. But by playing more hands you make hand reading more difficult for an opponent.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
What is your WSD%? What do you think is optimal for .5/1-2/4?

[/ QUOTE ]

Around 28%. I dunno what is optimal, it depends on other stats.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
could you turn me into the next imran khan?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was sifting through the list of all time greats and ninja'd so I could find someone current players could remember. >_<

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
could you turn me into the next imran khan?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was sifting through the list of all time greats and ninja'd so I could find someone current players could remember. >_<

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone remembers Bradman. He is the best ever.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Best advice to a SSNLer?

[/ QUOTE ]

Learn to get value when you have the best hand .

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
could you turn me into the next imran khan?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait let me get this right, you play cricket?

If so that is awesome, Are there many clubs and what is the standard like in the US? Man I wish i knew this before the SSNL boondoggle

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
What poker books have you read that you think really helped your game / improved you as a player and do you think some are essential to read even with the amount of information available on 2p2?

[/ QUOTE ]

Early career: theory of poker, small stakes holdem, harrington on holdem, ciaffone book, super system.

Later: theory of poker, heads up section in HoH helped me when I was a noob at short handed. But mostly just talking with good players and reading high stakes threads.

Re: The well: Isura
 

Ok here's one.

Poker goals? Where do you see yourself in a year? Five years?

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
could you turn me into the next imran khan?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice ninja edit. I bowl spin, so probably not.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wait let me get this right, you play cricket?

If so that is awesome, Are there many clubs and what is the standard like in the US? Man I wish i knew this before the SSNL boondoggle

[/ QUOTE ]

I LOVE cricket. There are quite a few clubs in my area since toronto is very multi cultural. The standard is pretty good, but nothing like the first grade in australia or anything.

Re: The well: Isura
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ok here's one.

Poker goals? Where do you see yourself in a year? Five years?

[/ QUOTE ]

In one year, playing at least 25/50 and having a boatload of money saved away. Five years, playing recreationally in medium to big games (10/20 to 50/100), and having some other successful business ventures. Possibly traveling to play some donkaments.