| Posted by: starfall at March 6, 2006, 11:03 am | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
I'd disagree with the 70% crapshoot idea... you'll have greater swings at that table, as your superior hand won't hold up that often, but on that same table you'll equally get those same players staying in pots with 2nd or 3rd pair. When you play AK, then you have to be aware that you need to catch an Ace or King on the flop to have a decent chance of winning. However, the large number of players can mean that suited connectors or AX suited have more alue because the pot odds are better for seeing the flop to see if you hit a draw. I generally find those ery loose tables the most profitable, because when you get a premium hand you can raise all the way being called by people chasing hands that still won't win.
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| Posted by: zinzan1000 at March 6, 2006, 1:36 am | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Quote: Originally Posted by maya
Zinzan1000, I've been playing No Limit SNG, everytime I go All-In I feel close to a heart attack. I'm still reading the second olume of Harrington's book and my game has been improving little by little. I've tried a couple of MTTs too and last week I got a 6th and a 9th places and I'm pleased with that. Of course I still make lots of mistakes but the difference is that now I know what I've done wrong. I'll keep practicing. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement.
robwhufc and starfall, thank you for your inputs.
Maya
Hey Maya, way to go.
Glad to hear you are doing ok.
There is a long road ahead and it is always wise to take one step at a time and not rush into anything that might spoil all your hard work so far.
The poker tables will always be there for you when you want them.
zinzan1000 be lucky
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| Posted by: maya at March 5, 2006, 11:14 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Zinzan1000, I've been playing No Limit SNG, everytime I go All-In I feel close to a heart attack. I'm still reading the second olume of Harrington's book and my game has been improving little by little. I've tried a couple of MTTs too and last week I got a 6th and a 9th places and I'm pleased with that. Of course I still make lots of mistakes but the difference is that now I know what I've done wrong. I'll keep practicing. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement.
robwhufc and starfall, thank you for your inputs.
Maya
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| Posted by: starfall at March 3, 2006, 6:44 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
I'd 2nd the picking tables with high % seeing the flop. That way the hands you play will have more money in the pot.
You'll have some bad runs, and you can't just push people off a pot as you may be able to in No Limit, so at the low stakes you will take a fair few losses where you started with the best hand.
The thing to do is develop your reads so you can fold your hand if you know you're beat and don't have many outs, and then on average you should build your bankroll. Look at your bankroll over a longer-term than just one session.
There's some argument for playing No Limit at those kinds of stakes - people who just can't be pushed off a pot are great when you can put all your money in when you're a big favourite... but you risk losing more as well.
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| Posted by: zinzan1000 at February 27, 2006, 8:53 am | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Sit & Goes were the answer for you all along, im surprised nobody mentioned them.
Those 2cent/4cent will ruin your game and make you a bad player.
I am glad to hear you are out of them.
Harringtons books are good alue but remember that he mainly speaks of multi table tourns early middle and late.
I see you cash 50% of the time, nothing wrong with that my friend, in fact well done to you.
I am not sure if your SNG earnings are playing Limit or No Limit, but if they are limit i would suggest you progress to No Limit SNGs for the same entry fee and get a feel of things.
Harringtons logic will seem a lot easier to you then.
Limit poker is a world apart from No Limit and the 2 must never be confused with each other when advice is being handed out.
There has been some good advice regarding this thread, but there are times when clearity of limits/formats advice has become clouded.
I really like the attitude and commitment you have shown so far with regards... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: robwhufc at February 23, 2006, 3:08 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Quote: Originally Posted by maya
Number of tournament played: 228
1st places: 8%
2nd places: 21%
3rd places: 25 %
> 4th places (no prizes): 46%
Looks like you've got a severe case of Seconditus (or Thirditus). 18 wins, 48 2nds. You need to open up in the Final stages, push more hands, and not focus on just placing and just limping into the money. Even if you placed less often, if you increased the win rate you'll make more money.
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| Posted by: maya at February 23, 2006, 2:28 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
A brief update on me:
I left those micro-limit tables for good now that I found out the Wonderful World of Sit'n'Go Tournaments ($0.25 and $0.50 buy-ins)!
Now all the strategies I read in the articles and advices here make much more sense.
I also bought the books "Harrington on Hold'em" Volumes 1 & 2, by Dan Harrington. They are great books and there's so much new information for me, so many things to learn and memorize.
I've been keeping a track of my game in a Excell spreedsheet and so far I'm happy with my performance, bearing in mind that in the first weeks I was ery ery inexperienced in tournaments. Here's my performance so far:
Number of tournament played: 228
1st places: 8%
2nd places: 21%
3rd places: 25 %
> 4th places (no prizes): 46%
It's not great, I know that. But I'm still ery pleased that I'm doing ok and learning more on each tournament. And most important, I'm having lots of fun and I'm still having a ... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: HoldemChamp at February 22, 2006, 10:31 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
At 2/4 penny you are lucky if you see 55% let alone 33%. LOL.
But, it is a alid point.
I have come to the conclusion that it is better to play tighter tables when you are still working on the kinks and leaks in your game.
Lose tables can be way to much of a roller coaster ride.
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| Posted by: JRskatr at January 20, 2006, 6:11 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
If you want to become better at poker, you have to realize that you can't always play by the book and expect to win. Sure you can only play premium hands that have a high EV of winning, but poker isn't just about playing the cards. You have to play the players too. I suggest watching the table stats before sitting down at a table. If you see that 70% of the players are seeing the flop, then this table is pretty much a crapshoot and you should stay away. If you see a table where about 29-33% of the players are seeing the flop, then this is a good table to sit at, and you can play tight and show profit in the long run. Also don't be afraid to make continuation bets! (a continuation bet is where you bet after the flop after making a preflop raise)
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| Posted by: tenbob at January 15, 2006, 10:23 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
well this is an interseting thread. The fact of the matter is until you can hammer the nano table moving up the limits will do nothing at all for your game. Up as far as $1/$2 some people will play anything. You should play your premium cards hard and fast and learn to fold when your beat.
As regards N/L s Limit games, its a toughie, the beats are tougher of course in N/L but when you know holdem ery well thats where the real money is.
Set yourself definate goals and stick to them, use softwaree like pokertracker to fix holes and you should find your bankroll growing, its a slow process but a worthwhile one.
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| Posted by: Styrofoam at January 15, 2006, 9:56 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Even at the .50/1$ table people call you with nearly anything, and in my experience at brick and mortar casinos (not too sure about online play) as high up as 3/6 people call you with any 4 to a Flush, or straight, or medium or bottom pair, and they'll call you down to the river to "keep you honest" Thats what you want when you play tight. Playing AK against A7 is what you want, its where you'll make your money.
Maya, that is good advice you give yourself. Only play where you are comfortable, but don't shy away from maniacs. They are the best players to win money from, and you'll win big. Those "crazy bluffers" are going to raise into your AK with their K4. They may draw out on you, but thats okay. You will more than make up for that when they raise you on the river and you have the nuts. But the key is confidence. If you don't believe you can win, you will lose.
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| Posted by: F Paulsson at January 15, 2006, 1:40 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
I like Helmuth's book, but I think you would probably do even better with some book that's more specific to low limit hold'em. Two books that come highly recommended (but none of which I've actually read myself) are
Lee Jones' "Winning Low Limit Hold'em":
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...Fencoding=UTF8
Ed Miller's "Getting Started in Hold'em":
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188...lance&n=283155
Now, since I haven't read them myself I can't say which one is better. But I have read Ed Miller's "Small Stakes Hold'em", which is sort of the sequel to the one above (with more advanced concepts and finer tuned play for winning the maximum amount of money in limit hold'em), and that one I can highly recommend. But read one of the two above first, really.
Depending on how studious you are, "Theory of Poker" (by David Sklansky) is a must-read. Not as a first book, but you shouldn't wait with it too long, because having... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: maya at January 15, 2006, 12:38 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Thank you for those aluable advices!
In the past two days I've noticed a big difference in my game play after reading the advices from here and the articles too. I got to recover the money I lost ($2 ) and now I understand when you say about the respect. After few showdowns with premium cards some players do respect you more when you raise. There was one occasion that I won a hand and this player wrote in the chat "I had you beaten but I folded". And I laughed and didn't answer anything but in my mind I knew I was finally playing it right.
I'm being more careful choosing the tables too. I watch the table for a while and if there's a bully there or too many crazy bluffers, I'm out. At least for now, I only stay on a table that I few comfortable and confident, otherwise I know I'll not play my best.
I still have a huge LOT to learn. I'm searching for books now, that Phil Helmuths is on the list. Does anyone happen to know any other good book specific for online poker... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: F Paulsson at January 15, 2006, 8:04 am | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Quote: Originally Posted by Styrofoam
You can count on your A being better than their A because you're playing better poker.
... which is why you also need to bet and raise if you pair your ace. If you hold AK (or AQ) and flop a pair of aces, you need to bet and raise a flop that contains an ace. People will call a flop bet with anything, and you should make good use of that: Make them pay to see a turn that won't help them.
Playing ABC-poker should get you smoothly up to $.50/$1-tables. From there, you may need some fine tuning. Luckily, we have a hand analysis section where you can post and ask for help.
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| Posted by: Styrofoam at January 15, 2006, 2:52 am | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Don't lose the faith. When people play those 5/7 off suits they are being idiots, but it happens all the time. It even happens in the Brick and mortar casinos with 3/6 limit! Its scarry sometimes to see the way people throw around money. But keep playing tight aggressive. They'll play a 5/7o and you'll play AK and you'll take them for more than they sucked out on you with. Don't let bad beats get you down. You're playing right. Dont' resort to playing trash hands with them. Stick to the good ones, AA KK AK any pocket pair (untill the flop, if you don't hit consider throwing it away) and suited connectors, and depending on position, AQ, AJ, AT KQ, KJ, KT, QJ, QT, and JT. Don't put alot of faith in those last hands, though, and be prepared to throw them away if you don't hit. You can count on your A being better than their A because you're playing better poker.
also, remember that any straight flopped with JT is hte nuts... dunno why i said that, but its true.
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| Posted by: HoldemChamp at January 13, 2006, 6:45 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Maya,
Seem like you were where I was a little while back. Nano limits like 1/2 penny, 2/4 penny, and 5/10 penny can be a rollercoaster ride for relatively new play. You play tight solid poker and don't seem to get ery far. But, whether the storm. The long run will bare out your proper play.
It may take a while but, you will see you good hands paid off more often.
I would suggest you pick up Phil Helmuths book "Play like the Pros". Pay close attention to how he suggests playing the top 10 hands. It's ery aggressive.
I at first was pretty frightened trying to play this way. Raising with 77 and AQ didn't exactly thrill me. I thought it was rather reckless. But, It turns out that in the long run the playing top 10 hands is a pretty alueable strategy.
People take notice when you play a few hands. The take even more notice when you play those hands ery aggressively. And when you show down and win with those big hands they start to worry about bu... | | Read Entire Entry |
| Posted by: maya at January 9, 2006, 6:23 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Thank you ALL so much for your kind advices!
I read them all many times and I'll look into small tournaments tables, just to watch and see how I'd feel. I'm still not comfortable moving to bigger limits. Mostly because I'm still trying to sort out my feelings when I have losses. It still hits me hard even if it's $1 or so.
I won't make any change of plans right now because I'm under this dark cloud of bad streak. Instead I'll be thinking about what you all said and watching the other tables.
I played a bit today (limit $0.02/0.04) and won one hand with 4 of kind (3) and then lost a 3 of kind (QQQ) for a higher kicker. Hell.
Anyway, thank you so much for your help! If you have any more advices to give please do so, they will be ery welcome!
Maya
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| Posted by: holduplaya at January 9, 2006, 5:41 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Quote: Originally Posted by holduplaya
I would stay there at the limit tables. I once HAD $100 and was doing fine on the $0.50/$1 to get more points and played tight if I didnt have nuts fold played blinds mostly like 98% of the hands until I reached $180 I stupidly went no limit $.50/$1 it was then I lost all and had some explaining to do with the wife. Play tight. I like the old saying from someone I can't remember "build your stack while conserving your stack".
Stay away from no limit.
sorry I played like 98% of the blinds.
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| Posted by: Count DeMoney at January 9, 2006, 5:09 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Maya,
Welcome to the board. Stu Ungar, a three time world champion, once said "I've got no chance in 5-10 limit poker, no chance at all". He meant that he couldn't do as well in small limit hold em (well small for him).
The fact is that in microlimit games you're going to be constantly up against loose players and while you may be a favorite against each of them individually, you won't be a favorite against them all as a group. When your comfortable start moving up in limits. My experience is that .25/.50 is a good limit as players are less inclined to come in to a raised pot with any 2 cards.
One other suggestion: try ery small buy in tournaments. Players aren't as loose in tournaments, especially without rebuys. You may find your results improve.
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| Posted by: robwhufc at January 9, 2006, 5:05 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Quote: Originally Posted by juiceeQ
If your bankroll can handle it, why not move up to the $.05/$0.10?
LOL, how big a bankroll do you need to play 5c/10c?
Maya, if you feel you are making progress, but are having problems dealing with the limpers (micro limits are the same as play money in reality), then I would make a proper deposit and play $0.25/0.50 (or even $0.5/1). This is still considered low limit, but you will start to be able to guess what hands people have from their betting patterns, and pull off bluffs a bit better. Still be prepared to get your fair share of bad beats though!
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| Posted by: juiceeQ at January 9, 2006, 4:44 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
It sounds like you're on the right track, Maya. keep playing your game the way you are, and eventually things will turn around. Everyone hits a bad streak every now and then. The trick is learning how to ride it out. Sometimes taking a couple of days off from playing helps, too. Unfortunately, in those micro-limit type games, you have a lot of newbies who are just taking a gamble rather than applying skill and strategy like yourself. If your bankroll can handle it, why not move up to the $.05/$0.10?
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| Posted by: holduplaya at January 9, 2006, 1:38 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
I would stay there at the limit tables. I once HAD $100 and was doing fine on the $0.50/$1 to get more points and played tight if I didnt have nuts fold played blinds mostly like 98% of the hands until I reached $180 I stupidly went no limit $.50/$1 it was then I lost all and had some explaining to do with the wife. Play tight. I like the old saying from someone I can't remember "build your stack while conserving your stack".
Stay away from no limit.
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| Posted by: F Paulsson at January 9, 2006, 1:28 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
From what you're saying, it sounds like you're doing it right. I think you're smart to start at $0.02/$0.04. In fact, you should be able to build your bankroll from there, without ever having to deposit again. Just move up in limits when you reach a comfortable bankroll size.
Now, as for the suckouts (when a player with an inferior hand stays in a pot and miraculously manages to win), they happen. In fact, they happen pretty often. But they don't (or shouldn't) happen often enough to make the bad players win money in the long run. What you need to do is keep being aggressive preflop with strong hands, and bet whenever you have a solid hand postflop. The money will come your way.
Keep us updated on how it's going, too.
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| Posted by: maya at January 9, 2006, 1:15 pm | | Topic: A beginner at $0.02/0.04 limit tables Forum: Card Chat |
Hi all,
I'm still learning how to play poker and I've been trying to play at the ery low stakes tables ($0.02/0.04 limited holdem) to get some experience.
I've been reading this forum with all my attention, making notes of the important tips, making notes of my hands and learning a lot from my mistakes. So far, I've been doing ok I think. I'm starting to build my bankroll slowly but steadily.
But it seems like I'm stucked right now.
I'm not sure if I'm just being ery unlucky or if I need to learn how to deal with those especific tables. The problem is, in the past days, I was unfortunate enough to see my AA, KK, AK being beaten by straights using 75, 54 off suit! I raised preflop all the time but because "it's only $0.02", most of the players go for it and end up having all the luck. I used to think that they were just lucky that time but it seems like its turning to something more frequent and now I'm scared to death when I've got an AA in my hands.
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