How good am I question...??

[Pvnuts]

Hey everyone,

I use to loose playing against a poki filled table on a limit table on Academy pro. Since I've read Skalanski for low limit games, my game has improved to the point that I'm able to beat the bots on a regular basis. How seriously should I judge my play based on Poker Academy pro?

I'm looking at setting up a $1000 bankroll for online play for the $1/$2 limit games, and was just wondering if I could get any feed back. Is Poker Acdemy a good measuring stick. I played the live casino once, and did very well at the $2/$5 table using what Skalanski taught me.... but I realize that was only one session and the damn casino is 4 hours away from my home. Is online limit games harder? easier?

Thanks

Al

[LadyWrestler]

Why not start out online at the $.05/$.10 tables and see if you can beat those before moving up? ...Just a suggestion... All the best! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Civi]

I use PA and it can help you to reinforce lessons you've learned from books etc. However, I would suggest that you start near the bottom of the NL limits, as the other poster has suggested.

Have you played online at Poker Academy how did you do?

According to what I've been reading here 2+2 you're going to need 25x the buy in for the level you're playing. So you won't have a 'roll big enough for 200NL.

Good luck with this if you jump straight in. I don't think you'll find a direct comparison between the poki bots and human ingenuity though. I certainly haven't.

[Niediam]

1/2 limit online is probably equal to 20/40 live in poker heavy areas.

[phydaux]

"Have you played online at Poker Academy how did you do?"

That's an excelent idea. Play a few SnGs at Poker Academy Online and earn a few play money dollars there. Then play some limit vs real people for free.

This is much better than the play money games on most poker sites, since the play money at Poker Academy Online isn't really free. It has to be earned in the freeroll SnGs. This will cut out a lot of the [censored] plays you will see over and over at the play money tables at other poker sites.

If you can beat the online tables at Poker Academy Online, then you shouyld be able to take on the .25/.50 & .50/1.00 tables with a $1k BR.

[Pvnuts]

Thanks for all your suggestions. No I didn't play online at the poker academy site... I was most likely concerned on beating the bots. But I may have to go there and see how I do.

The reason why I wanted to start at 1/2 is because I want clear bonus' while I'm playing. Lower limits make it difficult to clear them.

[aargh57]

Well, I think you'll be surprised at how tough even the 1/2 games are online. However, if you've got a $1000 roll then I don't think playing the 1/2 games is that bad. If I were you though, I'd play some smaller games for just a short while. If you multi-table you can get some experience pretty fast and get a feel of how you might do. I'd say play 2 or 3 thousand hands at .25/.50 then 2 or 3 thousand at .5/1 then if you feel comfortable playing then go ahead and move up. Note, that a few thousand hands won't tell you what you're win rate is or even if you're a winning player but it should give you a feel for the opponents at the game. But I think that $1k should be plenty to get you through the swings at 1/2 and if you're whoring and get rb you should be able to build a little while you learn.

[Pvnuts]

Ya, I hear you... I'm just so darn anxious to get to the money tables and play out my bonus'. I'm a large field tounament player, and do quit well (well enough that is).. but unfortunatly, I'm not single anymore and moved in with my girlfriend.... enough said? lol I only play tournaments once a week now because they are very time consuming and I can only play later at night. I tried the NL ring games and got totally destroyed... Unfortunatly, the maniac at the ring games eventually get to me and go agains them at the wrong time... and there was the solid player that just seem to know when to call me... you know how it goes... lol

Anyway, I re-trained myself and learnt how to play limit poker to balance my agression and to be able to use odds and good starting hands (as oppose to position play in tournaments with crap cards). I've been enjoying the game, something I didn't think I would. Like I said earlier, I do well against bots, at the casino and with friends by just using plain math and a bit of bluffing at the right spots. But from what I'm hearing the online limit game is hard... is there really a big difference between the lower limits and the $1/$2 games even if my play is based on good starting cards and solid math? I'm asking because playing the lower limits as it's been suggested is not an option since I want to play bonus'. I'm at the point now where I have to decide to go play a few thousand hands at poker academy for free (sheeeesh) and see how well I stack up or play lower limits like everyone seems to suggest, but maybe play at sites like Party or Stars where I already have accounts and see how I do....

Thanks for all the feedback... you guys are doing a great number on me... haha

[aargh57]

Well, I just dropped down to 1/2 at FT to rebuild my roll and sometimes I could find some soft games but man, I was surprised how many TAGs there are there. Often there was 2 contributers, 1-2 TAGs other than me and 1 or 2 TP's. I was like you when I started and didn't want to mess around in the micro's but I think I started at .5/1 and that was in 2003 or 04 when the games were much easier. It sounds like you're non U.S. so you've got a lot of bonii open to you. If I were you I'd look around Bonuswhores and other bonus sites and see if there are any that are worth clearing at .5/1. Just looking, Hollywood looks like it clears at about $1-2 per hour depending on which one you choose and if you look I think you may find other non bonuswhore deals where the bonus isn't as good but you may get RB or other stuff. Anyway, my point is, you can clear some bonus at less than 1/2 and it will give you experience for a while. However, if you're doing a good bonus you should be able to at least break even while playing with the bonus at 1/2 and may even make some. I just think that it may help you're confidence starting at easier games for maybe a week or so, but that's up to you. Stars or Party micros for a week or two may not be a bad idea either.

[Pvnuts]

Thanks for the sound advice aargh57, maybe I should make some sort of compromise. I believe Party has a skin (Empire) that has a sign up bonus that can be done at the micro level.

I may also follow the previous advice I received yesterday and play against real players at the Academy Website. If I manage to get ahead there, then go ahead and do a micro like you suggested. I beleive my game is very sound right now, but trying to stay down to earth and do this right.

Also, I have a silly question to ask you.. What are Tags and TP's? I've seen those abreviations before, but never paid attention to what they mean.

Just curious... do you play online on a full time basis? or just part time. Are their players that actually make serious money playing at say $3/$6 or is it something too elite to even think about....