Online Changes and Focusing (2/24/2011)
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 4:32PM I recently decided to take a different online poker path. My progress has really been minimal at best during the past few months. I showed signs of life this week winning +$550 in about 18 hours but I still have much work to do.
Dropping to 50NL full buy in
At first I thought I could find a half stack strategy at the 100NL level. I had previously bought in 50BBs at the 20-50 tables, but the format was removed. I thought with the format changes there could be a good opportunity for half-stacking, and I still think it can be done. Also I knew a lot of regulars would be better than me at 100 bb, but a 50bb stack was out of their comfort zone, and they would think I'm sub-human and retarded for not buying in 100bbs. Hence they might pay me off more when they shouldn't. In addition any mistakes or big coolers would be minimized. Also, I could gain the same rake-back while risking less which could build my roll more! But it was still flawed logic because:
1) You make the most money in poker on the LATER STREETS. You want to have more then 10bbs when you get to a pure turn or river profit situation.
2) Win rate is always > rake-back.
3) As stack size gets between 50 and 70 bb win-rate often drops (so a respected coach tells me), and thus variance increases.
4) If I bust ass at 100bb perhaps I can actually move up the poker ladder one day, rather then fuck around in the middle.
After I won a good amount of buy ins I was planning to buy in full at 100NL. This logic was flawed as shown above, but for a while I thought I could work hard and find a way to do it. I can be very stubborn.
So I've decided to stop being stubborn and just drop to 50NL full buy in. I have just over a 100 buy ins to play these stakes and I'm about to clear another $1500 bonus. I just started 50NL this week and logged about 3k hands last night. I felt more comfortable with the money and free to make more profitable plays. Also, the regulars do not seem as good. Most are around my skill level, rather than better.
Coaching Plans
I've never received coaching. This is about to change. After I log 100k hands at 50NL I'm going to hire a very coach to help review the hands and make specific recommendations on how I can go about improving certain areas. I don't care what the net result is after the 100k hands. I don't care if I win 3 bb/100 in 100k, or lose -3bb/100 in the 100k. I still want to go ahead with this coaching. And it wouldn't be a bad idea to pay for a check-up after the next 100k hands if it goes well.
Considering a Training Site
I've never been to a training site. I still question the actual value in a training site. But I think it could be worth it to have someone explaining some spots and areas to think about, rather then going about everything on my own each week. I'm going to ask around for a recommended site based on my situation and stakes. I'm not expecting much here. This most likely wouldn't account for a drastic shift in my improvement, but I think watching a video or two could be a good addition to my weekly studying.
Preparing for Live this Week
Just trying to stay focused here as I kick off my live portion of the week tonight. I'm going to completely switch casinos for my live play this weekend. I think a change of pace will be fun. I'm a little sick of seeing the same miserable regulars. It should also be nice having no players recognize me for a once.
-bag
Reader Comments (2)
Several people i know have used coaches, to great effect. Even a trusted player that you know is a good start! Good luck!
Bluefire is the best training site by far but you can learn a lot more 1 on 1 through a coach.
Most will do a live sweat over Skype and watch your screen while you play, commenting either after hands or during (obviously this is not ethical but it happens every day).