the most important factors for success

Valerio · #1 07-23-2005, 07:12 PM

I have been playing SSNL for a short time, but from my experience there are two factors that far and away contribute to one's profitability, even for someone with leaks in their game.

1. Table Selection
I think this is THE key to success. Just one fishy maniac can make the table extremely profitable. On the other hand, getting the money at a table full of smart, tight players is like getting blood from a stone.

2. Correct use of implied odds
For example, against players who you know can't get away from overpairs. So many times I have called pre-flop raises with a small pair or suited connector, caught a big hand, and stacked off an opponent holding a large pair. Many of my big pots are won by chasing with strong implied odds.

Thoughts?

Valerio

fimbulwinter · #2 07-23-2005, 07:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]

1. Table Selection
I think this is THE key to success. Just one fishy maniac can make the table extremely profitable. On the other hand, getting the money at a table full of smart, tight players is like getting blood from a stone.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is THE correct answer.

fim

Leaky Game · #3 07-23-2005, 08:07 PM

I agree with Fim, it shouldn't even be a discussion.

As for you're second point...is it really chasing if you have strong implied odds?

theben · #4 07-23-2005, 08:23 PM

luck and running goot

punter11235 · #5 07-23-2005, 08:27 PM

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even for someone with leaks in their game.

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I cant see what you mean here. You are not saying that there are people without leaks in their game, are you ?

[ QUOTE ]
1. Table Selection
I think this is THE key to success.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the most important factor of making money. Its probably how most people define success , so yes, this is the key. The most important skill IMHO however is discipline defined as ability of doing what you think should be done in given situation.

Best wishes

whittiphil · #6 07-23-2005, 10:41 PM

Well... what do you look for at a table?

VPIP of 60% or greater? few pfr, or lots of pfr?

Or do you look for specific players with bad stats?

Valerio · #7 07-23-2005, 11:23 PM

Well, first I do a seach to see if any of my favourite "buddies" are playing. Then I will check out tables with a lot of players seeing the flop and large average pot size. If there is no action, then after 15 minutes I will leave.
Like I said, though, I haven't been playing these very long and can't tell you if that's a good system.

Valerio

rikz · #8 07-23-2005, 11:57 PM

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players who you know can't get away from overpairs

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I think it shouldn't necessarily go without saying that a critical correllary is that you don't want to be one of these very guys you're looking to fleece. Personally, I've greatly improved my ability to get away from overpairs post-flop by improving my reads on villain using PT/HUD statistics, the timing of bets, my memory of previous hands at the table, and the context & texture of a flop. But I find this skill much harder to exercise and improve than tightening up preflop, watching my position, taking notes on other players, analyzing my hand histories and PT stats, calculating pot odds, estimating implied odds, using moves like the "stop & go" with a set, and other similar skills that I've read about on this forum.

For relatively new players like me (i.e. playing less than a year on line), I think this is the first critical skill to master in order to hold on to big wins while giving up relatively small losses when AA or TPTK faces too much pressure.

Without developing this skill, it's VERY easy to dump a stack with AA or KK as you try to balance aggressive play with the needs to play big pots with big hands (not overpairs) and the need to avoid getting run over by aggressive players (which there wouldn't be too many of, I suppose, if you did a good job at table selection).

BZ_Zorro · #9 07-24-2005, 12:54 AM

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The most important skill IMHO however is discipline defined as ability of doing what you think should be done in given situation.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well said.

tek · #10 07-24-2005, 08:46 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have been playing SSNL for a short time, but from my experience there are two factors that far and away contribute to one's profitability, even for someone with leaks in their game.

1. Table Selection
I think this is THE key to success. Just one fishy maniac can make the table extremely profitable. On the other hand, getting the money at a table full of smart, tight players is like getting blood from a stone. Valerio

[/ QUOTE ]

You online guys are in for a rude awakening if you decide to play at a B&M casino. Three words: No Table Selection. The floor says "Joe A. B. table 5". And that's it.

Therefore, I would say that being able to adapt to any table is crucial.