How much time to determine expected returns?

[Kevin Garceau]

OK the title sounds kind of odd...

I have been playing poker fairly well for the last 4 years, with a few breaks here and there. Generally just an Online player, because local casino shut the poker room down, but I would play local cash games and tourneys and do better than avg. I went to vegas once and did well (not that one time means anything) but with my current job in law enforcement, I cannot afford to get busted playing online poker (I realize chances are slim) and the local casino began poker again.

I have now logged 103 hours of casino play the last month and a half, I track all my hours, and stats via pokerdominator so Im meticulous on knowing what everything is up to and doing. My wife is all for the playing as it always has been a way for me to subsidize my other hobbies, such as racing, vacations etc... but now we are going to attempt to pay off a few annoying bills with it, so she is ok with a few nights a week at the casino as I treat it like a part time job right now.

I have a few questions

1) How many hours of play would be considered enough to figure out my avg hourly rate?

2) Playing NL what is a good expected return on my BB? As in should I see 20 an hour at 1/2 or is that too high to expect?

Right now Im playing primarily 1/2 NL, but as of the last week there has been a 3/5NL game starting and it has caught my attention, but I want to increase my BR some before I venture into that.

Im not looking for some magical answer or any pats on the back, and I realize poker is one long game and it will have many variances throughout the game which could be monthly. But right now Im in the process of figuring some things out, and feel I have weathered a few variances in the past 2 months. I feel my stats right now s hould be fairly close to being about where they will reside, but just looking for others input.

I will post what I got, not for bragging or anything else, but maybe it will help someone give me an educated answer.

21 sessions played for 103 hours
Avg earnings a session is 102
my Return on investment is 29%

out of the 21 sessions I have had 6 losing sessions with two of them being 500, one 300 and another 40

My wins appear to be small compared to my losses, both the big losses really couldnt have been avoided, several times each night getting my money in best and losing in the end. I still havent had any HUGE winning nights, I see it time and time again at the tables, Im just waiting for my turn. I will not sacrifice quality play to attempt to get one of those big wins. I see people win big, but lose big and thats there style, which is fine.

anyways thanks in advance to an y advice or guidance - sorry so long.

[341A]

I would think, depending on your car, that under 12 seconds should be enough time to see if your win light comes on or not.

[HOWMANY]

A lot more hours than what everyone else is going to reply with in this thread.

[Soupy]

[ QUOTE ]
(...)but with my current job in law enforcement, I cannot afford to get busted playing online poker (...)

[/ QUOTE ]

i hate to assume but you didnt post so...assuming you live in america, poker is not illegal in most states

[Kevin Garceau]

[ QUOTE ]
I would think, depending on your car, that under 12 seconds should be enough time to see if your win light comes on or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

12 seconds...I was running faster than that in High School in 92 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Just sold my Dragster 235 inch, 4 link, 598 cid alky injected - with nitrous of course.

[Rek]

1) A lot more than 103 hours

2) If you keep meticulous records you will know the returns on BB you are capable of. You can't just say 20 an hour. You may not not be good enough. Your rate will be determined by your ability.