1/2 NL Grinder

AlexisBelle · #1 07-06-2007, 04:52 PM

Well my friend and I decided to quit our jobs and grind 1/2 NL exclusively. We are both 24 and have been studying the game for about 5 years before deciding to take the shot. Naturally.... girlfriends, friends, and family all said it was the stupidest thing we could do. I'm happy to say after playing 30 hours a week for 3 months, we've both been averaging a $1200 profit per week. That may not be a huge sum for many of you, but for my personal tastes this is ample money to live with. Many say to move up to 2/5 NL, but if I'm happy averaging 12 a week as a consistent winner, why bother? We jump between 5 casinos so only a handful of people really know us and our style of play. Hopefully the run will last because it's minimal stress playing 1/2 and I'm having a hell of a time!! Sorry, this is sort of a brag.... Any other 1/2NL grinders have any success stories to share?

dozer · #2 07-06-2007, 05:00 PM

Yay for you?

AlexisBelle · #3 07-06-2007, 05:01 PM

Damn right after so many people saying you can't make enough money to live off of playing 1/2

Brad1970 · #4 07-06-2007, 05:07 PM

I play alot of 1/2nl also & while you are doing great, keep in mind this is baby nl & the donkeys will be donkeys. They can lay some horrendous beats on you. So don't get a big head just yet.

AlexisBelle · #5 07-06-2007, 05:17 PM

Indeed - I've lost many a buy-in playing online these past few years. Sucking it up online has taught me some decent money management through my transition into live play.

NicksDad1970 · #6 07-06-2007, 05:26 PM

As much as I'm embarrasse to say this but I think Mike Matusow said it best when he said something like "people talk about how easy it is to make it in poker for a living. Let's see how they act when the cards have been slapping you in the face for 3 weeks."

I mean I'm an average player who works for a living and I get pretty pissy when I'm catching bb after bb.

AlexisBelle · #7 07-06-2007, 05:29 PM

I said I averaged $1200 a week. There have been weeks when I lost 3-4 buyins a week. I only sit down at the the table with 240, so if I take some losses, I've been able to make a comeback.

EvilDruidNE · #8 07-06-2007, 05:33 PM

ive been attempting to do just this although i havent quit my job im just playing about 2 sessions a week usually for like 5 hours each. But i lack the full BR to do it, i started with 300, got up to 1k. then had a bad downswing and im back where i started at 300 and thats basicly 1 1/2 buyins i feel too vulnerable to play right now. the past 2 times i played i ended up losing my AK to A2 hitting 2 pair and my KQ with pair of queens and flush draw to Q5 hitting 2 pair again.. so if that happens 1 more time my BR is gone.

i have a few questions, do you find it is better to play certains times of day/certain days? like are weekend nights better cause of more "noobs" just playing poker for fun and obviously vs grinders they are free money.

also how many hours a session/how many sessions do you play a week, do you set a schedule? Do you set win / loss limits for the day?

KurtSF · #9 07-06-2007, 05:34 PM

Wow. You're my hero, and no, I'm not being sarcastic.

$40 an hour is awesome. If my approximations are correct, its still only 10k hands, so beware small sample size. Just the same, nice brag.

signguy · #10 07-06-2007, 05:43 PM

Umm, aren't most b&m 1/2 games $200.00 max buy in? I know there are quite a few that are more, but you said you play at several casinos. And buy in for $260? Just curious, not hatin'. Hey if you're happy, fuggetaboutit. It is an awfully small sample, though. I wouldn't go up just yet...you are liable to see less fish...AND br.