Am I too stupid for poker?

[jfoster]

I'm not really sure how I expect people to answer this, but I'll give it a shot. I have been playing poker for almost two years and I have read at least ten books on poker. But whenever I sit down to play I may as well be a robot because I can't apply anything I've learned in games other than hand selection and some basic pot odds calculations. I understand the books when I read them (for example WLLHE, SSHE, TOP, HEPFAP) but I still can't apply the knowledge. I don't think my problem is a lack of focus because I have often played one table at a time all night long with very few interruptions. I feel that I should be a winning player, since I only play low limit (2/4 - 5/10) games or $10-$30 Sit n Go's. But even with bonuses I am still only break even. I know the games I play are beatable, but any advantage I gain from the worst players I give right back to the better players. I see lots of people post very good results after a short amount of time, so I have to wonder how they got so good so quickly. I am sure that most of the professional players were naturals and started winning almost right away, but it quickly became apparent that I would not be one of them. I really enjoyed playing poker for the past couple of years, but I always played under the assumption that eventually I would get better and become a consistent winner. My failure to do so has left me very frustrated with the game. I had money in three different poker sites and I have recently busted out of two of them. I have resolved not to deposit any more so if I bust out of the third I will be done with poker, online at least anyway. I guess I should just quit if poker isn't much fun but I just don't like the idea of feeling defeated by low limit online games. Did anyone else experience similar situations when they first start playing? How did you get over it?

[edtost]

these type of books need to be STUDIED, not just skimmed though like a cheap novel.

[bernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I see lots of people post very good results after a short amount of time, so I have to wonder how they got so good so quickly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necesarily. Many who win in a shorttime are losing players. And vice versa. Ed M didn't win right off the bat and he's a monster.

[ QUOTE ]
I am sure that most of the professional players were naturals and started winning almost right away,

[/ QUOTE ]

Im sure you're wrong. Most paid their dues in the learning process. Especially prior to online play where the dues are a little cheaper.

If it's not fun, quit. At least ya gave it a shot. Otherwise, get more involved with the forum. Test your thinking against others and learn.

It's not as easy as many make it seem to be. It takes alot of work.

b

[juanez]

[ QUOTE ]
even with bonuses I am still only break even

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're break even, I think you're doing better than most players. I've been playing about the same amount of time as you and I'm still learning A LOT. In fact I'm going through a 200 BB downswing right now (worst one yet) and just had my first winning session in a few weeks tonight. But I'm certainly not giving up.

Like edtost wrote: study the books...over and over again...and post hands here for review and learn from that too. Good luck!

[theBruiser500]

Please use paragraphs in the future. "I am sure that most of the professional players were naturals and started winning almost right away, but it quickly became apparent that I would not be one of them"

I don't think this is true, all poker players that are good have put a lot of time and effort into it. You have part of what it takes to be good right off, you are realistic. How much of the last couple years have you spent on playing, and how much have you spent on trying to improve your game? I note you only have 1 post on this site. After a year on this site I had at least 1k posts from the strategy forum.

[emonrad87]

Hey, welcome to the forums. I think these steps will help you become a winning player.

1. Forget what you've read in HEPFAP, most of it is not applicable to low limits.

2. RE-READ and STUDY Small Stakes Hold'em. LEARN it.

3. Drop to micro limits. Make sure you have a 300BB bankroll for whatever limit you choose, but DON'T start any higher than .50/1. You may be well served by playing in some nano-limits on pacific or stars.

4. Invest in poker tracker. It will definately pay for itself.

5. Read the forums and post hands in the micro limit forum that you were confused about.

6. Move up limits slowly.

7. Most importantly - understand that poker is an acquired skill and you're going to have to learn it. It won't just come with time.


Good luck.

[Francis]

I think you're asking the right questions.

I've been playing for about 5 months pretty seriously, and I'm still not beating the .50/1 game at Party consistantly. Thanks to some bonus whoring, I'm up a bit, but my winrate is about -1.2BB/100 for 5K hands. Not a lot I know, but it's frustrating as hell to read (as you do) about everyone going "yeepee! I'm making 2K a month after reading SSH and TOP... This is so easy I'm quiting school and going pro...".

I don't think I'm a 'tard (grad school in engineering and a successful career), but this poker thing is a challenge. I have read and reread (and yes, studied, several books) but I'm still not winning.

Maybe it's a cold streak, maybe I'm not getting good cards (which I don't think I am, I haven't completed a flush in 14 attempts in the last few days), but it's getting old...

Hang in there. One think that I think would be invaluable (and I'd pay for) is some poker "coaching". Someone to review your PT stats, and a hundred or so hands you've played to give you some feedback...

Hang in there, it will get better. You may want to move down in limits until you're beating the game. 5/10 is pretty stiff from what I hear..

Regards,
Francis

[Subfallen]

Consider playing more tightly, as advised in Phil Hellmuth's "Play Poker like the Pros." If, as an extreme example, you followed Phil's advice to play only the "Top 10" hands, you will almost certainly be a small winner in low limit games.

This could be a hold-over solution until you think you've thorougly digested more advanced concepts.

[juanez]

[ QUOTE ]
Phil Hellmuth's "Play Poker like the Pros."

[/ QUOTE ]

No offense subfallen, but IMHO the limit portion of this book is about as valuable as used toilet paper. Stick to SSHE.

[helpmeout]

I'll tell you your problem.

Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 1

As far as people having natural ability and getting results quickly thats crap.

I play 5/10 6max after starting 5 months ago, I worked my way up from free money games to nanos up to low limits.

Considering most days i'll spend 10 hours on poker its not that quick a move up.

Its a tough game.

Reading a bunch of books doesnt do much if you dont analyze every situation.