My thoughts on improving the Micro-Limit Forum

[John White]

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the forum. I started reading because I felt a bit over my head. I had a few hundred hours at B&M (Commerce Casino, California) where I played 3/6 because I needed the higher limit to "keep down the bad beats." I started playing online to cut down on the gasoline bill and had some good, lucky days. I even jumped up to 5/10 and had a $500 session. Then started to watch it dribble away. I dropped down to 1/2, and still lost. What the heck was going on? I was barely playing 10 hours a month when in the space of 100 hours, I bought and read SSHE AND read Bison's "Notes on Notes" post (which alerted me to the utility of Pokertracker). A trial version download, switch from Pokerroom's java client, a new micro strategy, 7K hands, and here I am, an objectively-measured winning player at my limits.

I can't ever imagine giving back enough to cover what I've received, but I'd like to continue posting questions, answers, and thoughts. And suggestions. So here's my first suggestion post.

1) No more Bad Beat stories. If you suspect a bad beat, posting the hand isn't a bad idea, but don't include the results. If you include the results, it's just a bad beat post.

2) Cut way back on pre-flop hand selection questions. I've looked back at some of the questions I've felt comfortable answering, and most of them were "was calling w/JTo too loose?" I think it's rude to assume that people will regurgitate previously published material back to you. A valid question might be, "I know SSHE says to <foo>, but my read on the following players was <bar>. Do you think the following play is justified?"

3) Concentrate on post-flop play. This is the area that can improve the most for most players, so stick to a published hand selection and work on playing well after the flop. Posting hands to the forum is great when you've made a good play pre-flop, but are troubled by the situation and/or the play after the flop.

4) Use pokertracker. Not only should you use it, but you should post the relevant stats (# of hands played with, VP$IP, PFR%, AF) about the players you're up against in the hands that you're asking questions on. At the very least, when you say you've only played 40 hands with a person, it helps to quantify your "no reads" comment.

5) Ask questions about plays you don't understand. Reading other threads and asking for a clarification on a play is a great learning tool.

Thanks again to anyone and everyone who's offered me advice. I still need it.