First 7k hands of 6-max

TheScientist · #1 03-11-2006, 10:41 PM

The first week I played 6 max I loved it, couldnt get enough, and just plain figured I was God's gift to poker. Now I'm about ready to face the cold hard facts that I suck.

Week 1

Week 2

The best part, the graph:

Granted, there are many leaks in my game, but I'm just looking for responses along the lines of; "Suck it up, things will change", or alternately, "I can't stop laughing at how bad you are."

DemonDeac · #2 03-11-2006, 10:43 PM

i was just like you. great at first. big downswing.

no i play 6max NL [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

i also found limit a little boring

GetThere1Time · #3 03-11-2006, 10:48 PM

Welcome to short handed limit. You start with an upswing thinking you rule, get humbled by a quick downswing, and once you feel you're finally learning the game and seeing the "long run" and overcoming the variance, you have a 120k break even streak.

Enjoy.

Reef · #4 03-11-2006, 10:54 PM

7k hands is nothing

GetThere1Time · #5 03-11-2006, 10:59 PM

man and to think I forgot to berate his sample size. I'm such a slacker. Thanks for the back up, Reef.

Mik1w · #6 03-11-2006, 11:44 PM

even though it's 7,000 hands, there does seem to be a strong trend.. maybe its more psychological than variance?

TheScientist · #7 03-12-2006, 02:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
7k hands is nothing

[/ QUOTE ]

I know I know, it's just that I was alarmed at the 250BB downswing after 2 weeks of light play. I haven't seen a winning session in forever. I bonus whore as a safety net and my losses are far exceeding my bonii. I'm willing to chalk these things up to variance and improve my game, but if I'm doing something terribly wrong and obvious I'd just like to find out sooner rather than later.

TheEngineer · #8 03-11-2006, 11:43 PM

You may wish to defend your blinds once in a while. There's no way you can overcome that much theft and still make a profit, even with the most expert post-flop play. Also, your VP$IP may be a little tight for short-handed play. From these two stats, it looks like people are taking shots at you. Folding a lot of hands won't get the money in short-handed. You'll need to bring up the aggression a bit while playing hands you wouldn't play in a full-ring game.

If people are taking shots at you, occasionally call them to the river if you have anything at all. Even if you miss, it lets them know that they'll need a hand to play you (nothing like being a calling station to crush a bluffer -- just don't overdo it). Also, when strong and in position, call the flop and raise the turn sometimes. Other times, raise the flop. Yet other times, raise the turn with a good draw (occasionally only...this has to be the most overused play in short-handed). Mix it up so you aren't easy to read.

prohornblower · #9 03-11-2006, 11:57 PM

The best of the best know that it's optimal strategy to meander through three levels over 3K hands of play...

You should be instantly named a pooh-ba.

It seems like the only good decision you've made recently is your avatar.

TheEngineer · #10 03-12-2006, 12:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The best of the best know that it's optimal strategy to meander through three levels over 3K hands of play...

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's a good idea to look through stats when playing a new game, especially when running bad. While his loss is meaningless over such a small sample size, his VP$IP, PFR%, and blind steal numbers aren't. These are way suboptimal for shorthanded play. No need to play 100,000 hands to figure that out.