Help, I Need Direction....

[dangolf]

All,

First, let me thank you all for the information that I've already gleaned from this board. I do a lot of lurking here.

Secondly, even though my time in the OIC was relatively short, I would like to thank you all for what I learned there. I had only been playing THE for about 2 weeks before the OIC and it taught me more over the course of a week than I could have learned at a normal .50/1.00 table in three or four months.

Now, let me explain my situation, and then ask for your input. I am a quick learner, an honor student, and the type of person who always catches onto things quickly. That being said, I decided to pick up poker to fill any free time that I had, so rather than just throwing away cash, I picked up Lee Jones/Winning LLHE and S/M--Advanced HE and read them both cover to cover then back over again before even playing a freeroll.

The day that I found this site JHE announced that he was putting the OIC together. I realized that this would be a tremendous opportunity to play against skilled opposition for real money, so I jumped in with both feet. Well, my bankroll didn't last too long [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img], but it wasn't a bad thing. Towards the end of that fifty dollars I started to hold my own a little. Yes, I still got outplayed, but I started to realize why. I also learned the value of keeping an even temper while taking this abuse. I have a very long way to go, but I feel that I'm ahead of the curve by knowing what my biggest weaknesses are.

My biggest question is where should I go to continue to learn and build bankroll? I have been playing .50/1.00, and probably need to continue to build at that level for awhile. Is there any particular site that might fit me? I tend to be tight, but possibly not as agressive as I need to be. I seem to get more agressive as I gain experience and confidence, but may fold in some situations that I need to play out.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and would welcome any other advice that you all could provide.

Thanks.

Dangolf

[Mike Haven]

It's always good to read a pleasant post, and yours is one.

I'm sure others will give you much more sensible advice to follow, but mine is simple - read your books and play in your own comfort-zone stakes at the bigger sites.

Unless you are in it for the money, only, don't lose track that in many respects this is supposed to be a recreational hobby. It's nice to have a hobby that can make you a bit of money, too, and most people like to be as good as they can be at their chosen hobbies, but from some of the posts I read, here, people do go off-track sometimes and lose more money than they can comfortably afford by playing at stakes for too long at too high levels for their pocket and their skill level.

Enjoy your poker. With your current mindset, you will get better, whatever you do. Please don't try to move too fast.

Good luck.

[dangolf]

Thanks for the response, Mike. I appreciate you taking the time out to answer me. I'll more than likely stop on my way home to get yet another book.

It is a lot of fun to think that I could make a little money at something that I have a good time doing. I will follow your advice and take it slow. I've already read the horror stories of people in this forum who have advanced too rapidly and flamed out after a run of good luck.

Here's to seeing you around the forum, and hopefully for me not the tables... [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Dangolf

[MS Sunshine]

$11 SnG(sit&go's) at Party. This is the same advice I gave my sister who is new to poker. You need to play tight ring game for half the tournament, a skill you seem to have already. Then you need to me more ag 1st-in during the short-handed part. There is some tournament strategy needed here. Finally you need some H2H skills for the times you get to the end of these.

The varience is low on these and you pick-up poker skills that will serve you well wherever you go from here in poker.

Plus, they're fun.

MS Sunshine

[dangolf]

Thanks, for the advice...

SnGs make perfect sense now that I think about it. They almost force you to round out your game. You are absolutely right about my game right now. I tend to do well at a full 10 player table, but panic a little when the game turns a little shorthanded. I've only been h2h a few times, but seem to have done well there, but with such a small sampling luck could be a huge factor.

I'm working on getting some money moved to Party. I think I'll give it a shot...

Just another quick question. What would a realistic "in the money" rate for someone just getting their feet wet? I want to make sure that I'm pushing myself to keep pace, but not set the bar so high that I get disappointed and take a chance at chasing.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions!

dangolf

[MS Sunshine]

For a newbie, I would say 40% in the money, but they will be bottom heavy, more 2nd and 3rds than first. As you get better it should become top-heavy, more 1st and 2nds than 3rds. Most of us here keep score with ROI in these, and are happy with 35-50%.

Good luck

MS Sunshine

[mrbaseball]

[ QUOTE ]
As you get better it should become top-heavy, more 1st and 2nds than 3rds

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about this? I'm not a big SnG guy but typically play one small one ($10) a day as it's something to do for the 45 minutes I ride my exercycle without the risk of a ring game while I'm not paying the closest of attention.

I do all right in them and cash around 50% of the time. But once you get into the money they seem like pure crapshoots since all 3 of you are understacked for whatever the blinds have grown to. Since many of your opponents are still too tight at this phase they are often prone to be pushed around but I still think luck is the overiding factor once you get in the money. My guess is that my average finish once I cash is second, which would make sense to me anyway.

[Sheriff Fatman]

Dan

Others may disagree but you sound like you're at the stage I was at only a few weeks ago. I'd read a few books, played and lost a little money, wondering what to do next.

At that stage I invested in Turbo Texas Hold Em which, for me, gave me much more 'live' play experience. Some don't like it but I found my game improved very quickly, at no cost. I went back online a much more confident player. Also, the books made much more sense upon re-reading having experienced 'real' play for so many hands.

Eventually there'll be a time where you have to jump into live play to continue learning but I was far happier doing that with a lot of simulated hands under my belt.

I still have much to learn but as a route to my poker education it wasn't bad. Worth a try IMHO.

[dangolf]

I feel like I have just been thanking people all day, but I seriously do appreciate the fact that all of you have given your input.

I have given some serious thought about TTHE software, but didn't know if the outlay was worth it or not. I could play a few SnGs for the same amount of cash. I probably should have invested before I started playing for cash, and I wouldn't have lost what I did to start with. Should I still invest in this software, even though I've started to tread water, and even make a little bit of money??

Just curious....

dangolf

[thomastem]

[ QUOTE ]
I feel like I have just been thanking people all day, but I seriously do appreciate the fact that all of you have given your input.

I have given some serious thought about TTHE software, but didn't know if the outlay was worth it or not. I could play a few SnGs for the same amount of cash. I probably should have invested before I started playing for cash, and I wouldn't have lost what I did to start with. Should I still invest in this software, even though I've started to tread water, and even make a little bit of money??

Just curious....

dangolf

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes the investment is worth it even to seasoned pros. The simulations alone make it worth it.