Advice- Bankroll Management and Overall Game

Jlow1331 · #1 10-11-2007, 01:18 PM

Need some advice on my thinking and strategy. I have a very difficult time playing at stakes lower that 2/4 and play way above my head on a consistent basis. I tend to either be up or down 4K or 5k in a month, with an overall loss of about $10K this year. For some reason I cannot get interested in building an adequete bankroll and playing within my limits at lower levels. I play as a hobby and have a good paying job, but this irradict play frustrates me to no end.

How do I motivate myself to stick with a starting bankroll and consitently build it prior to moving up a level?

Should I set a goal of hands to play per month, level, etc?

Do you guys set aside certain days and times to play?

Should I get pokertracker?

The funny thing is, I am very disciplined and organized in all other ascpect of my life and career, but cannot get it together with my game.

cassette · #2 10-11-2007, 01:48 PM

buy pokertracker and PAHUD
read and post in the microstakes forum daily. start with the stickies.
read up on some bonuses you can clear to help build a bankroll.

after this it's up to you. become a winning player if you want to be. otherwise gambool it up and have fun as long as your income can support your play.

jfish · #3 10-11-2007, 01:55 PM

youre asking us how you should stop being a degen?

Jlow1331 · #4 10-11-2007, 01:58 PM

Not so much a degen, as trying to figure out why I get bored playing 50nl and 100nl versus 500nl and 1000nl.

Requin · #5 10-11-2007, 01:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Not so much a degen, as trying to figure out why I get bored playing 50nl and 100nl versus 500nl and 1000nl.

[/ QUOTE ]QFIrony

d2themfi · #6 10-11-2007, 02:47 PM

there isnt a magic formula to have discipline to drop down. You just gotta suck it up and do it. Stop being mentally weak and just do it

mce86 · #7 10-11-2007, 04:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
buy pokertracker and PAHUD
read and post in the microstakes forum daily. start with the stickies.
read up on some bonuses you can clear to help build a bankroll.

after this it's up to you. become a winning player if you want to be. otherwise gambool it up and have fun as long as your income can support your play.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thats what I think as well. Your income provides the bulk of your bankroll, so starting out higher will cause some major fluctuations. Given that, playing online and not having PT is ridiculous...its only 50 bucks....if it helps you win one pot its worth it.
The bad thing is, if its not the money, the players are tougher at upper limits, so it will be harder for you.

Marlow · #8 10-11-2007, 04:33 PM

OK, I'll just ask: why exactly do you play? Committed players tend to either play for money, or the mental challenge of it, or both. I'm having some trouble categorizing you based on what you've written here.

Nothing wrong with this, but it sounds to me like you just like to gamble. If you wanted to get better, playing lower wouldn't bother you so much. If you wanted to make money, you'd find ways to protect what you've built up and not constantly put your roll at risk.

Hope this doesn't come off as high-minded or harsh (certainly NOT meant to), but I wanted to cut to the heart of the issue.

$upermad4it · #9 10-12-2007, 04:58 AM

lol you are a degen who needs the buzz of risking what you see as a meaningful amount of money

carol-ann · #10 10-12-2007, 06:58 AM

So you have fun playing higher stakes and are bored playing lower stakes? Can you easily afford to play the higher stakes? Then maybe there is no problem.

Not everyone is meant to be a micro stakes grinder and it's OK to play poker for fun as well (as long as you don't play over your head).