Commitment

[Pocket_Ducks]

Been thinking about my own poker adventure recently.

I started playing for money on another site, where I had 1 tourney win to my name but only a $2 buy-in one, and so was credited around $30. Double up games were 50-50 (and so a marginal loss in the long run ) and strictly sticking to the lower-level ring tables I was reasonable most days, but some days dire

Not too long ago I cashed out of that site, ultimately deciding that it is best for me if I stuck with one site, for consistency as well as convenience. I recorded total profits of approximately $50 there.

Now?....I mostly play on the lower-level ring tables only on this site, and win both surely and steadily. I have refrained from playing tournies, sit n go's and double ups for now.

I'm now at that stage of considering 'upping a gear' - which unfortunately does not involve putting more money in op66

I see other sites offer tourneys of small buyins, a dollar or 2, and yet you can still claim almost $1000 for first place, and still multiple hundreds for the top 10

I was always aware of other members here saying how much better the larger sites are for money games (albeit missing the rather rustic op66 charm). Which is why I set up an account at one of the 'big ones'. Their cash games, sit n go's and tournies, although considerably larger in volume, have regrettably not made me the megabucks I rather aimed for Although still profitable, i still await my day(s) of reckoning...my coming of age.

I've had the thought jump in my head: "will my time come?"

If it were possible for myself to earn a living (or at least, a comfortable threshold) through this game, I certainly would But as it happens I only seem to be winning enough only to pay for the occasional kebab and chips

So, now it would seem that I need to step up, enter some big ass tournies, earn my buyins via higher level cash tables and go for the jugular huh?.....

But then, when the time comes and I hover my finger over the mouse to enter...you know that angel over your right shoulder telling you to think before you do it??....

I just don't think I have the true commitment to really hit this game hard, I perhaps have the ability (I personally know I can) but, what if I don't succeed? what if the cards don't turn my way? what if the poker gods just generally decide to piss on this little duck?- they have before, I've had some very bad days...it is only weeks of grafting that I have won back what I lost on just one lousy day

I love this game, but seriously, not enough to write my name on the dotted line.

Therefore, at least for the short yet foreseeable future, I shall just continue as I am; lower level rings, maybe the occasional tourney - but ultimately for FUN

STL all, and sorry for wasting your time all that just to say it seems nothing's gonna change

kwak

p.s. what do you guys and gals think of this? Should I, shouldn't I? hrmmmmm lol, I would like to hear your views, and maybe a taste of your poker adventure

[CaptainSandy]

Good read, matey.
I am in EXACTLY the same position.
Been sticking to the lower rings and building my balance up.
As I'm enjoying things (despite having a bad month) i'm also sticking to them.
I'm waiting till my balance is xxx before hitting the higher tables.
xxx - haven't a clue what it'll be.
Sometimes play the $3 freezeout 10th place gets $10 if plenty enter.
Good luck

[daddyspoon]

if youre not a 100% sure you shouldnt join. unless you have money to throw away lol

[arrowfox]

Quackers my friend.

I too have found myself at the poker crossroads of the next level. I have just started to play on this site for cash. So far, not great but I'm still finding my way.

I've played the low cash ring tables here and to be honest havent found them much sport. You really do need patience on some of these tables in order to double up.

I've just played my 1st $3 freezeout tourny (not keen on rebuys),started late so was always short stacked but got to 19th - payout began at 15th place, so I'm more likely to try these than the ring tables.

Not that I am an expert but as a mate, I would certainly recommend that you follow your dream, as long as you remain sensible and within your means. Surely its better to try and fail rather than failing to try.

Yes you will have days when it doesnt go your way and I guess thats where the experience comes in to accept that, move away and return when you feel the mojo has returned - and it will.

Give it time, the cards will find you. I think you have the game to do well but you cant always account for the idiot who will sometimes strike lucky.

Hope that helps. Believe in yourself butjust be careful.

Anyway must dash, Ivey and Hanson want a game - CBNG

Stay Lucky my Little Duck.

STL

[cuddycat]

I wont and dont play money on this site anymore I still play for fun though when I want a serious game with no bingo I go elsewhere.

My little duck if your not in a happy place dont play money as you will lose. You need all your feathers about you to win, and as BBOB said I think in an earlier post dont stay on a table if your losing. I also find if your winning swap tables so they dont know your on a roll.

[Pocket_Ducks]

I'm happy as i'm going right now It is being comfortable with my poker i'm most concerned about.

Should I step up for higher money, I may not be so comfy (the rare times i've tried it, I havn't really been) - enjoyment for the game is the key motivator for me I feel, and if I play for higher, I may lose some of it.

As the spoon says in his short yet infinite wisdom, "don't play unless you are 100%". It is pointless entering a tourney when part of me is thinking 'maybe i shouldn't do this'.

Alike sandy, I myself was going to hit the higher tables once i've made xxx, and truth be told i have stepped up from 0.01/0.02 to the highest of 0.10/0.20 sometimes

....but if you are seriously going to play this game to win some real money - to pay for a new sofa, or TV, or maybe a small bill () that aint good enough is it

Patience really is a virtue with this game, maybe my time will come, just gotta wait- if there's one thing I have learned is don't rush things. Mr fox sir, I'm sure if you yourself remain to be patient on the ring tables you will find some rewards.....only a couple week ago I did nothing but limp, check and fold for about an hour as I just wasn't hitting anything - but then I got dealt KK and some idiot decided to move all-in preflop, right before me, with Q/8 offsuit - I won thank duck.

Thank you for your responses you guys, lookin' forward to more

STL

kwak

[caposilvio]

Originally Posted by Pocket_Ducks

But then, when the time comes and I hover my finger over the mouse to enter...you know that angel over your right shoulder telling you to think before you do it??....

what if... what if... what if...

Could be here all night answering what if's mate.

Even little ducklings have to take the plunge,
better sooner rather than later.

Here's a what if...
You feel you know you can, so what if you lose?
Do you fear the failure enough to miss out on the experience?
Good or bad you should learn something from it.
If it won't clean you out to give it a shot where's the harm in trying?


I think your a very good player (if a bit of a lucky ducker at times),
so i would say go for it.
We live and learn, but what do i know...

Best of luck to ya whatever you decide mate.

[Pocket_Ducks]

I've occasionaly entered some $5 tournies on other sites, and had small success in the long run.

But capo sir, I'm talking big. I'm talking trying to climb my way up to such a level where I play for hundreds a time, yeah? A very long process (maybe not for some...) but a possible one. Such a prospect that someday I could come at a table with $100 and leave with $300 is soooooooo attractive! Heck, i've actualli had dreams of me winning big online! literally dreamt of me hitting the big time playing here

I've peeked out of the gutter to have a stab before, but have only scarpered off back to the smallies due to my being uncomfortable (or scared)

cheers cap, now I know you are a good player, your stats tell me so Maybe you will feel the same way as me when I say that poker is a game of chance - a game of 'what if's'. But there are those who have the ability (and the balls) to make their own luck....

cheers pal, best of luck to you on your own journey

kwak

[TIDDLYW1NK]

I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE IF YOU HAVE TO ASK, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE ANSWER. AS FOR MY OWN EXPERIENCE, I TEND TO PLAY SATELLITES AND FREEROLLS. I'M A TERRIBLE CASH GAME PLAYER BUT WHEN I'M SOBER (AND I ONLY PLAY FOR FREE WHEN I'M DRUNK) I AM A DECENT TOURNAMENT PLAYER. WE PLAY DIFFERENT GAMES BUT I CAN ONLY COMMENT ON WHAT I KNOW. FOR TOURNEY PLAYERS, LOOK FOR THE VALUE IN GUARANTEED PAYOUTS AND SATELLITE YOUR WAY INTO BIGGER GAMES, THIS KEEPS COSTS DOWN AND LIMITS YOUR STRESS LEVELS. YOU CANNOT PLAY A PROPER GAME IF YOU ARE PLAYING WITH SCARED MONEY. I'VE HAD A FEW QUITE SIGNIFICANT WINS BUT I'VE NEVER PAID A BIG BUY IN, MAKES SENSE TO ME

GOOD LUCK FOLKS AND ONLY SWIM WITH THE SHARKS IF YOU'RE A KILLER WHALE

[DeanReeves66]

hi m8 great read..

i recenty moved to a bigger site for my cash games and cash tourneys to.
had a few cashes and final tables but nuffin big yet.
i love this site but it doesnt have big enough tourneys on here anymore for my liking

il tell u a bit about how it went for me when i decided to take my poker more seriously and step it up a notch.

i started with a bankroll of $200 with a strict bankroll management of 20 buyins for the level im playing at.

eg: 5c/10c tables.. $10 buyin (10x20 = 200)

when i gEt upto $400 i would move upto the 10c/20c tables $20 buyin (20x20 = 400)
and so on...

it started off very slow on the low tables, with about 7 ppl in the pot every hand it was hard to win a hand as u can imagine. very frustrating lol
i was stuck on the 5c/10c tables for months and months trying to get to $400 so i could move up to the next level.
i was always tempted to play the 10/20c tables coz i thought the play might be a bit better there,
but i stuck to my bankroll management and finally made $400 after about 3/4 months and moved up to the next stakes.

after i moved up the stakes i started playing alot better and my bankroll was growin day by day.
after a few weeks i found my self with a bankroll $1000 just by sticking to my management rules.

then i started playing the 25c/50c table with $50 buyins, i found this was the easiest stake to beat.
baz gave me sum advice and told me 2 play 2 hour sessions then have a break.
he said that u play ur best poker in the first 2 hours at the tables.
so obviously i took his advice coz his been there done it himself and has profits of 10s of thousands of dollers. (lucky git) lol
when i started playing 2 hour sessions at a time, i was leaving the tables with 3-4 times the amount i brought in with,
and b4 for i knew it i was playing $50c/$1 tables.

anyways i wont bore u to much longer so basiclly if ur thinking of really taking the next step in ur poker adventures,
make sure u stick to ur bankroll management, it takes time and patience but in the end ur find ur self rolling in the money lol

after a year or so i now have a bankroll around $4000 and cashed out about $2000 just from sticking to a lil thing called BANKROLL MANAGEMENT!

[roo27]

hi ducks i dont know why but when i read your post the 1st thing that sprang to mind was a artical i read some time back now i may have a hole roung read on your situation (we all know my reads can let me down lol) but at it was something that sprang to mind i went and found sead artical for you and thought you might want a read so ill copy and past it below for you




Poker Stress and How To Deal With It

Stress isn't necessarily bad. It's just another emotion.

Just about everyone appreciates that continuous high levels of stress are bad for you. However, things are more complex than that. In many situations, stress can be an important motivator. If you put us humans under enough pressure, we will do things we could never have been able to do otherwise. People have ripped open the door of a flaming car to rescue their trapped children, and realized only later that they did it on a broken leg. The astonishingly high levels of emotion brought about by seeing our child in such a situation can spur us on to do the most remarkable and wonderful things.

However, ask yourself: Do you want the same person who dragged his kid out of a burning car to perform a triple-bypass operation on your heart while in this state of extreme emotional arousal? Not me, baby. I want someone really stoked if my house is on fire; but if he's wielding the surgeon's blade, I want him calm and confident. And, of course, the flip side of the coin holds as well. The calm, relaxed demeanor the surgeon needs isn't worth a hell of a lot in getting the kid out of the burning car. To make this point clear, imagine that it is the same person in both situations. It's the surgeon's kid in the burning car.

And the moral for poker? It's simple: You need a moderate level of arousal for optimum play. Like Goldilocks, it can't be too hot and it can't be too cold, or too high or too low. If you are cranked, hyper-stoked, on a permanent adrenaline rush, your thinking is going to suffer. And if you sit there like a dead fish with virtually no motivation to get involved in the game? Well, not with my money, you won't. Poker is a lot closer to heart surgery than to emergency rescue operations.

Question # 1 Have you ever wondered why you often hear solid players complain that they can't beat the $3-$6 game even though they crush the $15-$30 tables? Well, one reason may be that their stress levels are too low. There isn't enough pressure. They don't care enough. They haven't gotten their motivations up to the point needed to play a solid game. They may whine about getting run down on the river by one-outers and tables full of bluff-proof calling stations, but the truth is that they know this, and they know what they have to do to beat the game. In the final analysis, in most of these cases they just don't care enough. They are surgeons in a rescue operation.

Question # 2 Have you ever wondered why winning $15-$30 players complain bitterly about getting smacked around when they move up to the $75-$150 game? Well, one likely reason is that their stress levels are too high. There is too much pressure. They care too much. They aren't making the kind of clear, reasoned decisions that are needed to play a solid game. They may bitch about suck-outs when guys call raises from the big blind with 4,3s or whine about how "lucky" their opponents seem to be, but the truth is that they know how the game is typically played at this level and the adjustments they need to make. In the final analysis, their emotional levels are too high. They are rescue workers trying to do surgery.

What is interesting is that it can be, and often is, the same player in both scenarios. His knowledge of the game hasn't changed. His capacity to make decisions is the same. In fact, he probably could tell you exactly the kinds of adjustments in strategy he needs to make for each game but, alas, he can't pull it off. His emotional tone is amiss. At one-fifth the usual stakes, his levels are too low; at five times the usual stakes, they are inappropriately high.

[stevo_58]

Great thread Ducks. Not that I know anywhere near enough about it to give advice, but one thing I know for sure is that Deans point about bankroll management is key. If you can be disciplined enough to stick to it, and can be patient enough to take the long road then you could do OK. Really enjoyed the replies so far too, some great points made by all.

As far as me playing for higher stakes real money.......I'd be wasting my time and money at the moment cos unfortunately even though I know the bankroll management is key, I don't stick to it......now I know that's just plain stupid but hey at least I'm being honest with myself about it. If and when I can stick to it I'll reconsider because as you said in your post, it would be such a great way to make money, but I'm not at that place yet. If you are then you should try, and if you do here's wishing you the very best of luck for success.

[Pocket_Ducks]

Originally Posted by roo27

hi ducks i dont know why but when i read your post the 1st thing that sprang to mind was a artical i read some time back now i may have a hole roung read on your situation (we all know my reads can let me down lol) but at it was something that sprang to mind i went and found sead artical for you and thought you might want a read so ill copy and past it below for you


Question # 2 Have you ever wondered why winning $15-$30 players complain bitterly about getting smacked around when they move up to the $75-$150 game? Well, one likely reason is that their stress levels are too high. There is too much pressure. They care too much. They aren't making the kind of clear, reasoned decisions that are needed to play a solid game. They may bitch about suck-outs when guys call raises from the big blind with 4,3s or whine about how "lucky" their opponents seem to be, but the truth is that they know how the game is typically played at this level and the adjustments they need to make. In the final analysis, their emotional levels are too high. They are rescue workers trying to do surgery.

I think question 2 relates to me then roo m8, never thought bout it before tho, rather intriguing

Stress itself effects me not that i'm aware of, but perhaps that feeling of doubt is an indirect lead to it, perhaps...i guess u dont see me play over the interwaves, but i can get a little excited like when i realise i get lucky, i jump a little hehehe. So perhaps I should calm a little, act like a real pro

Deano sir, honored that u've shared your story on here and that is pretty much what I hope to do one day, keep reaching milestones and climb up, eventually getting up there int 1000's It is taking the initial steps that are troubling me - actually making the decision to begin!

Someone gimme a push

Stevo sir, you've made yourselves goals havn't you? to reach xxx by end of this year? You'll know by sticking with such practices as stated above, it will become much easier I myself have had an inconsistent past, as one day i'll go on the cheapsies and should I have a bad run, I'll go on a slightly higher staked table in order to win it back foolish boy lol

When my lappy's sorted, and i can finally go back ont tables, I shall begin anew by sticking with the BRM strategy as stated above - and i mean consistently!!! If it can work for them, it can work for ourselves

cheers guys, looking great this thread now keep em comin!!!

kwak

[cuddycat]

Thats a great post Roo.

I too have never really thought of it like that I know when Im winning I get a big adrenalin rush, but am often pulling my fur out on higher staked games when I try to move up a rank. I seem to handle it better on the other site where I take it more serious as theres more at stake, than on here where I enjoy the company so much so chatter away.

Im also very guilty for bankroll mismangement espescially true on here I lost my temper one night and gave all mine away to players I thought could use it more wisely and havent bothered reinvesting as I dont enjoy beating friends.

Luckily they all seem to be doing well so Im a happy puddy cat.