We could use a stickied Stats FAQ

[davelin]

This is something that Knoler mentioned in another topic and I completely agree. There seems to be quite a number of "look at my stats" posts these days with similar advice following. New players are frequently coming onto this forum so a sticky may help answer these questions.

Who wants to take a stab at it? I can try, but my writing is not the best!

[btspider]

i was considering it, but haven't had the time to gather the materials.. perhaps this weekend.

[kenberman]

I think this should be more comprehensive than just stats though. a couple other common topics should be in there, like bankroll requirements, different sites to play at, etc.

Now just to write it...hmmm...

[bonanz]

post a rough draft and we can all add/edit/suggest whatever.

I pm'd mat about this before and he told me go ahead and make one up, and when the final one is ready just pm him and he can stick it. sounded good, but i'm lazy and easily distracted by shiny things.

[GrunchCan]

I think 1 post for just stats would be substantive enough without any additional topics. Additional topics could be included in a seperate grab-bag sticky.

Also, in addition to just a regurgitation of what the "accepted" stat ranges are, there should be a good discussion as to why those ranges are accepted, and what it usually means when your stats are out of range.

For example, it is one thing to know that the accepted range for W$SD is somewhere around 55%. But it is almost useless - and, I think, counterproductive - to know this without knowing why. Too high a W$SD usually means you fold too much on the end. Too low usually means marginal hands are taken too far.

[GrunchCan]

Aside from a stats-specific FAQ, we could use a more general micros-forum & beginning poker FAQ.

Here's a few questions that occurred to me might appear in this FAQ:

- Who is this FAQ for?

= POSTING GUIDELINES FOR MICROS =

- When should I start posting hands?
[this is a trick question: the answer is "now"]
- What kinds of hands should I post?
- How should a hand post be formatted?
- What's the difference between the micros forum and, say, the small-stakes forum? How do I know where I belong?

=== LEARNING RESOURCES & PLAYING BASICS ===

- I'm brand-new to poker. Where should I begin?
- I've decided to get serious about poker. What should I do now?
- What's PokerTracker? Do I need it?
- What books should I be reading, and in what order?
- What books should I throw away? (This question may be to incindiary for this FAQ)
- How much BR do I need?
- What books should I read?
- Where should I play? What limits?
- Can I trust online poker? Netteller?

= STRATEGY BASICS =

NOTE: The answers to these questions are intended to give a new player some basic giudelines on standard play.
For example: the answer to the "how do i decide to be passive or aggressive" question is to use pot equity edge as a guide. This is a very simple answer to a very complex question, and is only intended to point the reader towards the path. It's not intended to be the Ultimate Answer. The Ultimate Answer is found by posting hands, and that should be made very clear in the FAQ.

- What kinds of answers will I find here? (Ans: very basic standard play guidelines)
- Where should I get more in-depth answers? (Ans: by posting hands)
- What are pot odds?
- What is pot equity?
- What is a pot equity edge?
- How do I decide weather I should continue with a hand or fold? (Ans: pot equity edge)
- Assuming I decide to continue, how do I decide if I should be aggressive or passive?
- What kinds of hands should I start with?
- What is fold equity?
- How do I know if I should run a bluff?

[davelin]

I agree, we could use several stickies covering some Micro-limit basics and posting guidelines (like in Small Stakes) as well as general strategy ones (like Ajax's flush draw one).

[btspider]

just one sticky which would reference other posts if need be.

[tiltaholic]

hi-
I am highly in favor of one sticky with link to multiple threads that cover various extremely common topics.
I am willing to help any in way...ie, by searching the archives and writing up desciptions of the threads?

PM me if you are spearheading the effort and want a hand.
-t

[bonanz]

yeah i thought we were talking about a general FAQ like the small stakes one.