Poker Dilemma

[SpacePirate]

In part because I am a moron, I have lost my $1,750 bankroll at Paradise. There are plenty of bad bear stories, but I also wasn’t properly bankrolled to play at the limits that I was at. I have an $18,525 roll at Party but don’t really feel like risking any of it during the school year. I just transferred this year to a new school and have plenty to do and keep me busy. The last thing I need is to experience the rollercoaster of the $10/20 6 max game that I typically play.

So what I am proposing to do is start completely over again at Paradise with my $3.92 that I have left in my account. I would be playing at the .02/.04 tables, but does make any sense for someone who has the money to play at higher limits? I just don’t feel comfortable or emotionally ready to play the big stakes at this time. I would like to hear your thoughts on my plan. Perhaps it’s just best to scrap poker altogether while I am at school, but I am worried about becoming rusty.

If I were to follow through with my plan I would accumulate 100 big bets before proceeding to the next level. And to make sure that I followed it precisely I was thinking about posting a bi-weekly or weekly update.

I’ll cut myself off before I start to ramble, but I would greatly appreciate any comments.

[sthief09]

this seems completely pointless

[Sundevils21]

you're quite likely to go broke eventually if you only keep 100big bets for the limit you're at. Much more likely than going broke playing 10-20 with that sized br.

[Felix_Nietsche]

When a major league pitcher gets knock around too much, they send him back to AAA or even AA. Move down ONE or Two levels. Work out any leaks through self examination and when your ready (demonstrated by winning consistently) then move up again. No matter how good you are playing with an inadequate bank roll is a MAJOR ***STRATEGIC*** leak no matter how good you are.

If your confidence has taken that big a hit....go done two levels. I had a day where I flopped three sets, smooth called, and lost to a 2-outers each time. These pots were in 3/6 NL and they CRUSHED my bankroll. The bad beats were bad enough but it cause my poker skills to get WORSE since I lost my confidence AND my aggressiveness... As a result i went bust 1 week or two later. I've climb my way back from the small stakes NL games and I'm a better player because of it...

Good luck..

[nolanfan34]

I predict it would take you about 15 seconds to get bored of playing .02/.04 with your bankroll on Party.

If you have time to play poker, but don't want to play 10/20, just drop down and play something smaller to make money for college expenses. Or maybe play some $20 and $30 MTT's, to work on your tournament game. Playing penny micros would be no use at all.

[daryn]

i want to hear some of these bad bear stories.

[SpacePirate]

When I started playing poker, money was the primary motivation for me. But I feel there has been a shift in game and play more for pleasure and recreation now. For example I find myself calling raises with marginal hands just to be involved in a big pot. This is not the attitude of a good high limit player so I really don't trust myself with my roll at Party and I have actually refrained from logging on to my account for some time.

[Dov]

I think if you play for pennies, you will be miserable. That sounds like a complete waste of time.

BTW, since you are re-evaluating the reasons why you play, you should probably finish your thoughts before you hit the tables again. That way you won't be lying to yourself about why you're there and you can fully enjoy the experience.

As you well know, not everyone plays to make money all the time. However, if you don't trust yourself, you won't enjoy the games you do play. So I think that you should get your head on straight before you do anything else.

I wouldn't worry about getting rusty. It's a lot like riding a bike. You pick it up again very quickly.

Hope this helps.

Dov

PS - You may want to cross post this in the Psychology Forum

[BottlesOf]

[nykenny]

deposit 5K into paradise, play 10-20 6max