Diary of an online poker player - Prelude

[GrinningBuddha]

Having read and enjoyed davidross's re-telling of his adventures online, I thought there might be some interest in a similar type of journal. The purpose of these posts will be to chronicle a poker player's travels from the micro-limits to (hopefully) the mid-limits online.

Ideally, I will be able to benefit from some specific feedback about my play, and the forum would be able to benefit through participation. Who knows, maybe others will join me in my journey along the way. More players in our game is never a bad thing.

First, some background. I encountered poker several years ago while working at a local casino here in Edmonton, Alberta (yeah, another Canuck, eh?). I played fairly regularly for about a year while I was at the casino, ending up with a $1.21/hr win rate over 128 hours while playing 3-6 hold'em. For those who aren't familiar with Edmonton low limits, they aren't the wild free-for-alls that many low-limit games are. However, they do tend to be fairly loose-passive, averaging 3 - 6 people to the flop each hand.

I have recently begun to get back into poker after a hiatus due to lack of time and bankroll. Most of my time recently has been spent playing the free tournaments at TruePoker, and entering some of the freeroll tournaments that the various poker sites offer. I have also tried to expand my repertiore to Stud, Stud/8, Omaha, and Omaha/8; the free games online may not be a great test, but they work well to get the format of the game down, and to discover what hands play well against a full field. Our local casinos spread hold'em and stud, but by far the most popular game is 1/2-1/2 Hold'em/Omaha. This format sees 30 minutes of Hold'em followed by 30 minutes of Omaha or Omaha/8. <shrug> While I'm not a big Omaha fan, a brief visit to the casino has convinced me there is money to be made. Most of these folks can't play one game well, let alone two. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

This would have been a chronicle of live play, were it not for the draconian rake up here in Alberta. All games charge a 5% to $5 rake, as well as a $1 jackpot drop. Add in a tip, and there's a lot of money leaving the table each hand. Compare that to the rakes online, and the easy availability of good games, and it's hard to resist. Thus, I expect the majority of my diary entries will be focused on the online games, but I will likely insert some live play in for comparison at some point.

I hope you will find it entertaining and thought-provoking. If you think this would be a waste of time, or if you'd be interested in what I have to say, please give me some thoughts.

Next time: Preparation for play, and the joys of Neteller.

[Yambola]

I dig the idea, as I, too, am trying to move from the micro limits to the mid limits online. One question...where are you planning to play? I've spent the last week playing .5-1 at Party.

[GrinningBuddha]

Partypoker .50-1.00 will be my first destination. My initial buy-in is going to be minimal, so ideally I'll be able to build it up from there. It should make for a more interesting story if I can build up a bankroll from the microlimits like some of our posters have. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Yambola]

Cool, I just started playing Hold 'em about a week ago on the .5-1 tables at Party, and to be honest I'm losing money (8 bucks in about 5 hours of play). I am very interested in the game though, and I got Gary Carson's "The Complete Book of Hold 'Em Poker" and Sklansky and Malmuth's "Hold 'em for Advanced Players" in the mail today. In the next week or so I expect to receive "The Theory of Poker" and "Hold 'Em" by Sklansky and "Winning Low-Limit Hold 'Em" by Lee Jones. Hopefully after I have a working knowledge of the material in these books I'll be able to start winning and gradually move up the ranks. Until then, I'm not going to play at a table with you because you sound intelligent.

[GrinningBuddha]

You've got some good books on order there. I started with Lee Jones' book, and then moved on to HPFAP by S&M. They've done wonders for my game, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. Thanks for the compliment, I hope the diary is of some use to you. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[jasonHoldEm]

Buddha,

Great idea /images/graemlins/smile.gif I actually have a similar series of posts going in internet gambling (I'm currently "on hiatus" as I'm about to move)...my series is called a poker odyssey feel free to do a search if you want to read them.

It sounds like you have more expreince than me, but I'd still like to offer you some advice if I could. First of all, make sure that you want to play limit ring as "your game". I bounced around quite a bit when I first started, trying out both limit and no-limit sit-n-go's before finally settling on ring games. Again, it sounds like you're pretty sure you know what you want to do, but if you have any doubt at all get it out of your system NOW and then make the commitment to play that format until you are proficient at it.

Also, I would suggest getting out of .50/1 as soon as humanly possible (I only played it for about two weeks). The rake is the same at 1/2 ($1 max), and the quality of the play is only a fractional amount better...it is basically the same game. Obviously, you're not going to buy a new car with your winnings from 1/2, but it will help you move up faster...I've been playing 1/2 now for about 2 months (very sporadically because of my job search and impending move). I have about 50 hours logged, but I have won over $400. I'm almost ready to move up to 2/4, but if I had spent more time at .50/1 I would much further behind where I am now.

If you don't already own it, invest in a program like poker tracker (what I use) or the other stat program (called poker stat I think, but it only works at Paradise). Tracker is fantastic in helping me track my play and the play of my opponents. I've already found some leaks in my game, and being able to pull up the hand histories for a particular hand is a necessity in helping you to improve your game. It's worth the $25...get it now before the price goes up.

Finally, not sure of financial situation, but you mentioned you'd only be making a minimal deposit. If that is what you have to do, then of course there's nothing you can do about it. My suggestion would be to establish a non-refundable bankroll that you will play with and manage accordingly. Keep it sepreate from your day to day finances and watch it grow over time (it's really quite exciting). I had played some online before I got "serious" but I added about $250 to my existing online bankroll (umm...$50), to give me $300 to play with from the very beginning.

I envy you if you don't have to worry about going bust and not being able to refund your bankroll (I can't...If I bust I'm done, at least for the time being). Even if you can, I think you'll take things more seriously (pretending) that you can't...you'll probably also learn more and be more pleased when you see your bankroll growing over time.

Hope this helps. My life is pretty crazy right now (and will only get worse over the next few weeks), but if you have any questions please feel free to send me a PM. I'd be happy to help.

Good luck on your adventure.

Peace.
Jason

[GrinningBuddha]

Thanks for the thoughts Jason!

Ring games will be my main focus; I've played a lot of play tourneys lately since I find the play is slightly more reasonable than play ring games. I imagine I'll add in some tournaments down the line to spice things up, but I probably won't mention them much in my diary.

Starting at .50/1.00 is simply out of necessity, I plan to move up when the bankroll supports it. It will be a self-supporting bankroll, I don't anticipate that I'll be relying on any income that it generates for a long time. If I make withdrawals, it defeats the purpose of building it for higher limits! I'll get to $1/$2 ASAP though, thanks.

Poker tracker. I've seen it mentioned and those who use it seem to feel it's well worth it, I'll definitely check it out.

I'll go peruse your posts; I don't want to ape something someone else has already posted. I'd like to produce some fresh insights for the forum, if I can.

Cheers!

[lefty rosen]

Guys there is gold in them hills at 50/1 if you know how to mine them, you can make 4 US an hour at party's no foldem games. Combine that with 2 tables and if you know how to smash outs and know when to release high pockets you will get paid off large. My buddy makes 8 US an hour at party..... Not great money but you aren't risking much either he has had a 150 roll for about a year and has cashed 10,000 US

[Punker]

Hello from a fellow Edmontonian (and how dare you say the Baccarat game downtown isn't wild and crazy!).

A couple of things:

1) if you are going to play .5-1 the rake is better on paradise than party.

2) get pokertracker

3) get NETeller

Good luck!

ps the web site link in your profile doesn't work...was curious to see who you were.

[GrinningBuddha]

Ah, the Baccarat. I haven't played there since my earliest days. Towards the end I played exclusively at Yellowhead. I'm planning to check out the new Baccarat whenever they get it done.

I hadn't given much thought to rake differences at the .50/1.00 level since I wasn't planning on spending much time there, and given the skill level of the opposition I didn't figure the rake would factor in too much. I'll take it under consideration though.

I have Neteller (sort of), and it'll be the focus of my first diary entry. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I've updated my homepage link. We had a little domain registration issue lately, so the address changed slightly. /images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[richie]

Sounds good to me; I've enjoyed both David's and Jason's chronicles, and it's always nice to hear other people's stories. I also play $1/2 at Party, and you shouldn't have any trouble beating the game once you get used to the site. Definitely get Poker Tracker, it's great. Good luck, and start that diary /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Instinct]

I always enjoy reading people's stories. I have enjoyed reading both Davis's and Jason's posts.

My advice would be the following.

If you have the money ( even loan it to your bankroll and withdraw right after collecting initial bonuses ) deposit the maximum at party and get the $100 bonus. Play .50 - 1.00 until you collect the bonus. $100 will do wonders to your bankroll so you will move quickly to 1-2.

Only play 1 table to begin with. Do not try playing 2 tables until you can win at one table. Get a feel for playing online as it is different at the beggining.

DO NOT ALLOW your self to go on tilt on line. This will cost you alot. If you play stupid for 1 hr that is alot of hands. If you find yourself not all there quit and come back later as the games will always be there.

Play multiple sites at the beginning and collect those bonuses ... this will increase your bankroll quickly. I'd start with party, then empirepoker, then UB ( e-mail them and they will give you 20% bonus on initial depost ) Even after these 3 you should add $300 to your banroll which could make it an easy transition to the 1-2 games. Using neteller will make this very easy.

Do not just venture up to the higher limits until you are ready to give it a serious go. If you are trying to build your bankroll up when playing 1-2 so you can start playing 2-4 don't go and drop $200 at 5-10 or something just because you had a good session or you are just home from the bar and don't give a sh it. I think it's fine to throw a few bucks at a higher limit to give it a go but do it when you have planned to stay at a certain limit for a while ( Maybe that's 2-4 or 3-6 ) then it won't pis s you off as much later. ( if you are unable to risk depositing enough to start at 1-2 don't blow your money at a limit you are uncomfortable playing ... whats the difference.

Don't play really long sessions to begin with. I noticed that when I first started online I would lose my attention for a while and then notice my chips had gone down tons.

get out of really tight games. the rake will kill you on an hrly basis if you are playing with a bunch of rocks.


Just a few thought.
Best of luck and I'll look forward to checking out your updates.

Instinct

[GrinningBuddha]

Good tips Instinct.

Understanding the psychology of playing online is important. While I can't claim any experience for playing for money online, I have played for money live, and I have plenty of effective practice online. I am a firm believer in practicing like I play, and I feel that this together with my live play has helped to insulate me from taking the beats too seriously. I won't be playing at a level that will cause me to be losing much sleep over the ugly river cards.

My plan is to play at a given limit until I have ~150 BB for the next level, and then try a transition. If I get down to 100 BB, I'll drop back down and rebuild. I don't plan to be taking any shots at 3-6 or 5-10 anytime soon. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tight games = bad mojo. I'll leave those for other to elaborate on.

[jasonHoldEm]

Really good advice instinct...a lot of stuff I didn't think to recommend. Just thought I'd add my thoughts for Buddah

[ QUOTE ]

Only play 1 table to begin with. Do not try playing 2 tables until you can win at one table. Get a feel for playing online as it is different at the beggining.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree 110%. I do pretty well at 1 table, but I've expiramented with playing 2 at once and I've found that it really hurts my rate. I make mistakes, I can't follow the players as well, etc.

[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT ALLOW your self to go on tilt on line. This will cost you alot. If you play stupid for 1 hr that is alot of hands. If you find yourself not all there quit and come back later as the games will always be there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't take this the wrong way, but this will probably happen to you. I played great (profit wise) and then I hit my first cold streak about a week ago. I didn't have an appreciation for what a "cold-streak" really was, and after getting sucked out on "everything" for a couple days it finally pushed me over the edge, I started playing like an idiot and lost even more.

Point I'm trying to make here, is that when you do go on tilt and have that horrible black mark on your otherwise good playing "career" go read John Feeney's Tilt Essay(s) in Inside the Poker Mind...the feeling/understanding you will gain will be something similar to being hit in the stomach with a baseball bat. When you recover, read the essays again, take a day off, and then start playing again.

[ QUOTE ]
Play multiple sites at the beginning and collect those bonuses

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't disagree with this, but I haven't really done so. I've played most of my poker at Paradise, and I did hit Empire for a bonus, but I actually only made a very small amount (lost money playing but gained some from the bonus). To each their own.

[ QUOTE ]
Do not just venture up to the higher limits until you are ready to give it a serious go.

[/ QUOTE ]

And when you "take a shot" play tighter than normal and try to observe more. I'm currently working my way into 2/4, and I'm basically playing "top ten" hands only, trying to learn the differences in the game.

[ QUOTE ]
Don't play really long sessions to begin with.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the speed of the game online has a lot more to do with this than anything else. When I first started I'd only play for about a half hour and then take a break...I've worked up to about 2 hours, but I still feel pretty drained afterwards. Find what works for you, but don't push yourself over the edge...the SECOND you stop thinking clearly you become a losing player.

[ QUOTE ]
get out of really tight games. the rake will kill you on an hrly basis if you are playing with a bunch of rocks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Strangely enough there are tight(er) games at .50/1 and 1/2, and I don't get out as quickly as I should. Often I find that sometimes the table will go through phases where it is extrememly loose/agressive and sometimes it changes to tight/passive...and I don't mean new players going in/out, same 10 players, just going from one extreme to the other...it is truely a strange phenomenon.

Anyways...Just thought I'd add my $.02 to what instinct said. Good luck, I'm really looking forward to reading your adventure.

jHE

[Yambola]

Oddly enough, I didn't start making a profit until I started playing tighter games (I play .50/1...sad, I know). Everything I had read said that more $$$ can be made in looser games, so I always picked the tables with the largest average pot at party. However, at such low limits at loose tables, 7-9 people saw the flop every hand. Basically, everyone plays so randomly that almost all of the strategies that you read about are almost rendered useless. Also, there are so many people drawing that I got rivered on more than half of the hands I lost to in the showdown.

[DesertEagle]

Hey Lefty...

he made $10k playing ONLY $.50-1?? that's really impressive...

and good luck to everyone who is starting out on a new online career, I look forward to the posts!!

Jeff

[whiskeytown]

you know...I've been thinking about doing this too...but I was just gonna do a blog instead of always posting here...

Might be easier to read...I had to take davidross's posts and condense them...took 80 pages in MS word - RB

[lefty rosen]

Yeah but he plays upto three tables of it. And sometimes its 1/2 mixed with 2 .5/1. But my friend is an ex chess player so his mind can handle the information overload of 3 tables and he smashes outs hardcore.........