I'm a decent recreational player. Now I want to play for profit. Help.

[WinstonWolfe]

Hi. Longtime lurker here. I'm hoping for some advice on how to change my game from more or less just playing for fun to making a consistent profit. This isn't a question about improving my poker skills; it's more about how to maximize my winnings through the games and limits I choose.

Here's my situation: I consider myself a fairly decent player at the (low) limits I play online. In ring games, I play $1/2 or $2/4 NL and win more than I lose. Not much more, but some. The problem is I quickly grow bored of ring games. So I play lots of tournaments. My best venue seems to be single-table SNGs -- I'd estimate I place in the top 3 in over 50 percent of the single-tables I enter. But again, I grow tired of these, and long for the unique experience of big NL multi-table tournaments. These are definitely not profitable for me; I cash occasionally, but not nearly enough to stop it from being a net loss.

So I end up playing ring games and SNGs, make a little money, and then blow it on buyins to multis and get back to even.

Here's the question: Let's say I only want to maximize profit (not my fun level). Is playing ring games the definitive way to do this? Do I have to give up tourneys and devote all my energy to ring games and start playing 3 or 4 tables at a time?

Or could I, theoretically, improve my play at multis and get to the point where playing them could be just as profittable in the long run as ring games? Do people actually do this? And where do SNGs fit in here? As I said, I seem to be best at these, so I'm tempted to start playing these all the time as sort of a middle ground. Good idea? Or are ring games the undisputed best way for a solid-but-by-no-means-superb player like me to play poker seriously and consistently make money doing it?

Sorry for the long post. Any advice is appreciated.

[MasterLJ]

First of all, you are not a winning player. Second of all, no one moneys in 50% of their SnGs. Third $1/$2 and $2/$4 NL aren't really "low limit." They are both chalked full of talented players, and lots of players that play for their food.

To humor your question, IMO cash games are the best way to maximize profit.

[raze]

check this out http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=0#Post9247698

[Josem]

move up to where they respect your raises.

[rakemeplz]

harrington on holdem v 123

[eleventy]

MTT longterm takes a long time.

Try both ring and SNG. Keep good notes and figure what you make the most at.

[ClevelandWasp]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd estimate I place in the top 3 in over 50 percent of the single-tables I enter.

[/ QUOTE ]

First step is to actually start keeping track of your results.

Also, nice handle, what will happen if Bonnie comes home?

[nineinchal]

You have to be able to win consistently to make a profit.

In other words you have to win more than you invest in the games.

I believe you have to lose more to learn how to win.

[WinstonWolfe]

Thanks for everybody's helpful responses.


[ QUOTE ]
Also, nice handle, what will happen if Bonnie comes home?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, you have a corpse in a car, minus a head, in the garage. Take me to it.

[Cent]

If you want to play for profit, my advice is choose a level where you can win consistently at. If you multitable, you should win 90% of the sessions you play. The way to figure this out, is to play 20 sessions, and if you win more than 18 of these, you may want to move up a level so it can be more challenging for you.

You really don't want to be losing much, it's bad for your overall profits.