Finally turned a corner, how do I take the next (small) step?

[icemanjmw]

I've been reading on this site a long time it's great, but only lately started reallly "reading" it if you know what I mean. I'm looking to any of you guys for advice, I'm not trying to go pro or anything just make a little extra money playing a game I enjoy.

First a semi-quick background on my poker playing. I began playing when they showed Moneymaker winning the WSOP. Me and a few friends would play home tournaments, really 6-7 person SnG, about once a week for $5 buy-in. I totally got into poker more than any of them though and found out some other friends of mine had a .25-.50 cash game a couple times a week. I had a good time playing, with the chance to win or lose about 40 bucks a night. I also started playing online SnG (the $5 STT at Stars). Despite reading books, studying the game, and thinking I was better than the majority of players I played with I found I was only a break even player. I also went to the casino a couple times played 1-2 NL and won 200 a couple times and lost 100 another time.

Well, I enjoy playing poker just to have fun, but I still felt I knew the game better than the people I was playing with and couldn't figure out why I couldn't win. So I reread many books, watched some poker on TV again (just really watching the good players), and began to really watch what was going on at the table when I was out of the hand. I realized that I was failing to adjust to the game I was playing. One day it clicked that I was trying to play marginal hands like 67s, A4s, QJo, thinking that I could outplay the "bad" players after the flop. Basically I think I was using the style Erick Lindgren describes in his book. As many of you will realize playing hands like these can get you in some tough situations which when I was really honest with myself I found I wasn't able to handle well.

So I've basically totally rebuilt my game from the ground up, still keeping all the math/pot odds in my head but tossing out a lot of the "fancy plays" I've picked up. I've gone back to not quite ABC poker, playing only strong hands OOP, loosening up on the button, and only playing big pots with big hands. While it's only been about a month I feel my game has drastically improved. I've put together multiple win streaks on the Stars $5 SnG and I've consistently been winning 100-300 a night playing the home games.

Now for anyone who's read thorugh this I have a questions. How do I go about improving my game, without getting too fancy for the limits I've at. Do I slowly try making a few moves a week? Or do I just accept that I can beat the low limits and accept that as maybe the best I can do?

[bozzer]

[ QUOTE ]
Despite reading books, studying the game, and thinking I was better than the majority of players I played with I found I was only a break even player. I also went to the casino a couple times played 1-2 NL and won 200 a couple times and lost 100 another time.

Well, I enjoy playing poker just to have fun, but I still felt I knew the game better than the people I was playing with and couldn't figure out why I couldn't win. So I reread many books, watched some poker on TV again (just really watching the good players), and began to really watch what was going on at the table when I was out of the hand. I realized that I was failing to adjust to the game I was playing. One day it clicked that I was trying to play marginal hands like 67s, A4s, QJo, thinking that I could outplay the "bad" players after the flop. Basically I think I was using the style Erick Lindgren describes in his book. As many of you will realize playing hands like these can get you in some tough situations which when I was really honest with myself I found I wasn't able to handle well.

So I've basically totally rebuilt my game from the ground up, still keeping all the math/pot odds in my head but tossing out a lot of the "fancy plays" I've picked up. I've gone back to not quite ABC poker, playing only strong hands OOP, loosening up on the button, and only playing big pots with big hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't have any answers, but this is a great post for where I'm at at the moment. Thanks.

[tannenj]

i don't have any deep advice for you, but the "moves" you describe should be made against players for whom you have some respect. making a "move" is another way to describe representing a hand you don't have. for this to work, the villain has to see what you're representing. if the villain is unable to read hands, he'll just play his own cards and your "move" will be a waste.

at SSNL, it makes no sense to put "moves" on most villains, because most villains are terrible. at higher stakes games, moves will become more doable, and somewhat more necessary.

[LuckyDevil]

[ QUOTE ]
Now for anyone who's read thorugh this I have a questions. How do I go about improving my game, without getting too fancy for the limits I've at. Do I slowly try making a few moves a week? Or do I just accept that I can beat the low limits and accept that as maybe the best I can do?

[/ QUOTE ]

It is a possiblity that you are at or close to your prime. Unfortunately no one will be able to answer this question without knowing both you and your game.

[Chomp]

Firstly, one thing I've noticed with poker is that any time I think I've "turned a corner" the game comes back to bitchslap me down, so be careful on that score.

But more importantly, it is amazing how easy it is to be a marginal winner at lower stakes without actually understanding the game AT ALL.

I was a winning player at 25 and 50 FR before reading this forum and I have to say I am now absolutely shocked at how I ever won at all given my awful understanding of the game.

Winning by playing your sets and premiums adequetly is often enough to win at lower stakes, but that doesn't mean you know jack shinola about the game. Maybe you are different, but that was just my experince: winning but not understanding the game. That is a scary realisation.

Finally, read this forum and pay particalr attention to the respected regular posters: people like dbitel, jay, orange, epdaws, mason, bilbo-san, true, baluga and proabably several others I've missed...the advice these guys give is absolute gold. I have learned more from them than from any book I've read.

[Kilillan]

watch some cardrunner vids, that helps

[DJ_Northstar]

[ QUOTE ]
Now for anyone who's read thorugh this I have a questions. How do I go about improving my game, without getting too fancy for the limits I've at. Do I slowly try making a few moves a week? Or do I just accept that I can beat the low limits and accept that as maybe the best I can do?

[/ QUOTE ] Use PT, AceHUD, anything that gives you more information on opponents. At low limits, fancy plays probably won't get you much since for the most part, there's a reason players are at these limits and don't have a higher level of thinking/game comprehension like those at the higher limits. That said, after you feel you're crushing the limits you're currently at, move up to the next limit and try a few new plays here and there. If you start sucking, move back down.

[dd323]

I think a good next step might be to start playing NL cash games instead of STTs. I think playing NL even 100BB deep will make you a much better all around poker player..