Am I too stupid for poker?

[MicroBob]

I'm grouchy today I guess....here comes a kind of mean post. you have been fore-warned.


study.
think about how you're playing.

ummmm....try posting HH's in the strategy forums for feedback as well as reading through the other strategy-discussions there.

it doesn't happen magically.


I was hardly a natural when I started and I doubt many others were as well.
I started almost exactly 2 years ago and was not certain whether a flush beat a full-house or vice-versa.
I was on many buddy-lists I'm sure.

After reading and thinking and posting HH's and reading more HH's I've grown to become slightly better than mediocre (meaning that I win more than I lose....which really ain't too shabby).



Anybody who says "I'm losing...I've read ALL the books and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong" probably is too stupid to win consistently.
Because the answer (study your game...and post and read some HH's) is ludicrously obvious.


While you didn't say it directly...there is almost an implication in your post (and other posts of similar nature as well) that goes something like "hey...I'm playing just like they told me to in SSHE and WLLHE but am not winning."

Well, SSHE and WLLHE are two VERY different books and it is not possible to play both strategies at the same time.
how so many people can claim to have read both books and NOT see this obvious fact is beyond me.


If you think you are playing as SSHE and WLLHE are telling you to and can't see that this is not even possible then you certainly will not be able to see that you are probably playing in a way that neither book would recommend.

[J.R.]

NO. I lst and was frustrated when I first started as well but...I started posting, really reading poker books and really focusing on the game when I played. I'm not smart but I have managed to be fairly successful, so if I can do it anyone can. Stick with up and step it up or wrap it up.

[GreywolfNYC]

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1. Forget what you've read in HEPFAP, most of it is not applicable to low limits.

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If you feel like you can't apply HEPFAP concepts when they're applicable and instead you need to block out a great book by pretending it doesn't exist then you are too stupid for poker.

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I would bet that the vast majority of professional players have more or less memorized HEPFAP.

[stripsqueez]

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I would bet that the vast majority of professional players have more or less memorized HEPFAP.

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i play poker professionally and i dont think that book added anything to my game - i personally know 4-5 other full time players and i'm confident they either havent read it or have a similar view

there is some useful stuff in the book but i doubt it could ever be more than 2% of a poker education

stripsqueez - chickenhawk

[ChessMan]

It is possible that you are too stupid, to use your words. I'm sure you aren't really stupid, but you probably have zero poker talent.

I think many winning players underestimate how much natural talent they have and therefore believe almost anyone can learn as they have.

I've played enough hands to be sure that I'm profitable. It seems easy to me, but I might just be talented.

Look for another hobby if you are bored. Life's too short to waste time at something if you're bored with it. Financially, it'll never compensate you enough for the boredom.

Also, another clue as to whether you have talent or not is if you have ever excelled at any other strategy game before? Chess, backgammon, Monopoly, etc... If you've been really good at some of these games, then you just have bad luck.

[CrazyN8]

First inclination was to just say, "yes". [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Sorry, I'm not a frequent poster so please don't jump all over me. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I've been playing about 2 1/2 yrs.

I would definitely say that playing as many hands as possible will help. I started with Turbo Texas Hold'em...then .02/.04 at planet and worked up to $1/2...then started playing .5/1 - 1/2 at party and planet. Now I am comfortable at $5/10. I also played as many free tourneys as I could at planet (Tourney section is still down right now). I think the experience is what helps the most (assuming you have a basic knowledge of the game - I assume you have, seeing as your poker library is quit extensive)

Also, don't let money be an issue. I have a separate account that holds my bankroll. If I lost it all tonight, I could go on (I would probably feel a little sick [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]). Playing with funds that aren't earmarked for something else takes a lot of the stress out.

DON'T let other peoples, "winning", bad play discourage you. I say this because I know it discourages a lot of beginners. They want to do what it takes to win.

Definitely read what is on these forums and post (I know - one to talk). Most of the people here love the game and will help you.