Zhariken
08-28-2003, 05:36 AM
I know I'm new here. Ok, so it's my first post. I know people lament hearing about others complain about "bad beats" and the like. I know that odds exist for a reason, and there is still a chance to lose....but damn!!
I've been trying to learn about Texas Hold'em, reading, studying, watching, etc.
I recently deposited $100 into Pokerstars.
Argh.
I lost a buck or two playing .02/.04 limit, no big deal. Later I came back and won a little back. Then I wanted to get into a $5, 1-table Fixed Limit Hold'em tourney. I signed up..got in after a short wait, then the cards were dealt. I'm not exactly sure how to put into words my thoughts as cards were popping up all over. A glance up, and I realized I joined a game of hi/lo stud. Luckily, only $5, but I still had no idea how to play. I actually won 3 out of the first 4 hands in complete ignorance and random betting. Around level 3 I was the chip leader. As we played, I read about the game, tried to learn, etc. I ended up finishing 5th out of 8, it only paid 3. Hey, I sort of had fun anyway.
I later joined a $5 Fixed Limit, 9 player game. I was woefully bad, finishing last.
There goes 10 bucks.
My crowning achievement came when I joined a $5 1 on 1 NL game. Someone was already waiting, and off we went. I was so happy, actually doing well, playing tight, and at one point up around 2200-800. At this point, I had AK offsuit, and went into the flop with some hope. I got a King on the flop, along with 2 mid level cards, I made a moderate (40-50?)raise, and it was called. The turn? An Ace. My eyes lit up. I bet again, around 120 or so, and it was called. I had him right where I wanted him now... /images/graemlins/frown.gif
The river gave us a 2, and I gave another raise, losing which would leave him with only 200-300 left. Surely he'd call, not having to risk it all. I thought he had a King, maybe 2 pair given the flop.
He raised all-in.
It sort of caught me off guard, and I took some time to think it over...but I was still confident that I had him. If I lost this one, I knew it would put us around even in chips, and would be an emotional blow to me. If I folded now, he'd still gain some chips and put him in a much healthier position. I caught him bluffing a couple times earlier with nothing, so that added to my decision.
I called.
The shock and bewilderment that hit me after realizing I was in that stud hi/lo game couldn't come close to what I felt as he turned over a pair of twos.
A pair...of...twos.
Countless times I've read that two 2s are a slight favorite over the ever-popular a/k in heads up play. But there's no possible way I could have known what it would be like to actually be staring at them. His 2s brought him back even, and probably a bit ahead of me, after that everything seems like a blur.
I was still playing the same as I had been before, but he seemed to get all the hands/draws, and I walked straight into a full house in one hand.
I was down around 300 when he said "good game", to which I sadly replied "not for me :|".
Believe it or not, an all-in and a few good breaks later, we were actually even again!
It just wasn't meant to be though, with overcards on the board, and only holding an above average hand myself, he again went all in, I folded, and 800 more chips were his. After that, it was just a matter of time.
There goes 15 bucks.
Sure, it could've been worse, I could've lost everything I guess.
Don't get me wrong, I realize many, many people lose much, much more in a single hand, but I really was hopeful. I've been consistently doing well playing the highest fixed limit of the 'play money' (200/400), but I realized that's a completely different game (from real money) for the most part. I can go in there with 10BB and come out with 30-50BB in 100-150 hands.
One problem I feel I had with the heads up game, I didn't utilize my chips much at all. I played very passively, and we often traded checks throughout a hand. I realize now that was a vital mistake, but at the time I figured I'd just wait it out, let the blinds slowly eat away at him, and pick up some of his chips along the way on good hands. In reality, I think it just allowed him to hang around long enough for that one hand that brought him back.
I dunno, I guess I'm done crying on the collective shoulder of anyone who was bored/sympathetic/amused enough to read this far. I'd certainly welcome advice, but I don't really think I gave much for anyone to give advice on.
Is PS really the toughest game out there (I know, I know, you're all laughing at me calling an .02/.04 game tough..)? Would I be better served 'learning' in a real-money environment at another place? I dunno, but it's really late, and I should get to bed.
G'night.
I've been trying to learn about Texas Hold'em, reading, studying, watching, etc.
I recently deposited $100 into Pokerstars.
Argh.
I lost a buck or two playing .02/.04 limit, no big deal. Later I came back and won a little back. Then I wanted to get into a $5, 1-table Fixed Limit Hold'em tourney. I signed up..got in after a short wait, then the cards were dealt. I'm not exactly sure how to put into words my thoughts as cards were popping up all over. A glance up, and I realized I joined a game of hi/lo stud. Luckily, only $5, but I still had no idea how to play. I actually won 3 out of the first 4 hands in complete ignorance and random betting. Around level 3 I was the chip leader. As we played, I read about the game, tried to learn, etc. I ended up finishing 5th out of 8, it only paid 3. Hey, I sort of had fun anyway.
I later joined a $5 Fixed Limit, 9 player game. I was woefully bad, finishing last.
There goes 10 bucks.
My crowning achievement came when I joined a $5 1 on 1 NL game. Someone was already waiting, and off we went. I was so happy, actually doing well, playing tight, and at one point up around 2200-800. At this point, I had AK offsuit, and went into the flop with some hope. I got a King on the flop, along with 2 mid level cards, I made a moderate (40-50?)raise, and it was called. The turn? An Ace. My eyes lit up. I bet again, around 120 or so, and it was called. I had him right where I wanted him now... /images/graemlins/frown.gif
The river gave us a 2, and I gave another raise, losing which would leave him with only 200-300 left. Surely he'd call, not having to risk it all. I thought he had a King, maybe 2 pair given the flop.
He raised all-in.
It sort of caught me off guard, and I took some time to think it over...but I was still confident that I had him. If I lost this one, I knew it would put us around even in chips, and would be an emotional blow to me. If I folded now, he'd still gain some chips and put him in a much healthier position. I caught him bluffing a couple times earlier with nothing, so that added to my decision.
I called.
The shock and bewilderment that hit me after realizing I was in that stud hi/lo game couldn't come close to what I felt as he turned over a pair of twos.
A pair...of...twos.
Countless times I've read that two 2s are a slight favorite over the ever-popular a/k in heads up play. But there's no possible way I could have known what it would be like to actually be staring at them. His 2s brought him back even, and probably a bit ahead of me, after that everything seems like a blur.
I was still playing the same as I had been before, but he seemed to get all the hands/draws, and I walked straight into a full house in one hand.
I was down around 300 when he said "good game", to which I sadly replied "not for me :|".
Believe it or not, an all-in and a few good breaks later, we were actually even again!
It just wasn't meant to be though, with overcards on the board, and only holding an above average hand myself, he again went all in, I folded, and 800 more chips were his. After that, it was just a matter of time.
There goes 15 bucks.
Sure, it could've been worse, I could've lost everything I guess.
Don't get me wrong, I realize many, many people lose much, much more in a single hand, but I really was hopeful. I've been consistently doing well playing the highest fixed limit of the 'play money' (200/400), but I realized that's a completely different game (from real money) for the most part. I can go in there with 10BB and come out with 30-50BB in 100-150 hands.
One problem I feel I had with the heads up game, I didn't utilize my chips much at all. I played very passively, and we often traded checks throughout a hand. I realize now that was a vital mistake, but at the time I figured I'd just wait it out, let the blinds slowly eat away at him, and pick up some of his chips along the way on good hands. In reality, I think it just allowed him to hang around long enough for that one hand that brought him back.
I dunno, I guess I'm done crying on the collective shoulder of anyone who was bored/sympathetic/amused enough to read this far. I'd certainly welcome advice, but I don't really think I gave much for anyone to give advice on.
Is PS really the toughest game out there (I know, I know, you're all laughing at me calling an .02/.04 game tough..)? Would I be better served 'learning' in a real-money environment at another place? I dunno, but it's really late, and I should get to bed.
G'night.