Frequent listener, first-time caller

[brt3000]

If this post is misplaced, I apologize in advance.

I've been working at learning to play. I've read the Krieger book and started Jones. While without having much to compare it to, the Krieger read seems just ok, not great. It's been useful for starting hands however.

I've played 50,000 hands of 2/4 Poker Stars at 6 max tables only. I've never played more than one table at a time. I've only played 6 max because I wanted to learn to follow and recall hand play and I figured it would be easier learned 6-handed rather than 10-handed. Also, 2/4 made sense to me to learn on because while it is not ton of money, the $1500 I put up is, after all, $1500. I also plan to play another 50,000 hands at 2/4 before considering anything different.

I spend at least as much time watching 2/4 PStars games as I do playing, compiling notes on players and mind-playing hands. I also spend a lot of time reading this forum. It's invaluable.

Over the 50,000 hands i'm at +1.3 BB/100 with the last 25,000 at +2.5 BB/100. Improvement has come with experience and slightly more aggressive play on fewer hands played.

There are several areas I could use some insight or suggestions on:
- Is it silly to play 6-handed? I know the rake is hurting me here, but my comfort level with my ability to read hands and recall hand play is going to suffer moving from 6-handed to 10-handed. Thoughts?
- I know I'm poorly playing small pairs (88 and below). From every position. Getting better, but I'm still too stubborn and I can't help but think that this weakness will be more of a liability 10-handed vs 6-handed. Any suggestions or recommeded specific reading on this topic?
- Finally, for someone at my very modest level, what are the better strategy books?

Thank you very much in advance. I'll report back in another 50,000 hands.

- Bruce