After having some rough swings at 2/5, I've decided to move back down to 1/2 to protect my bankroll. I'm actually still a winner at 2/5, but I'm on a downswing, so I figure I'm better off playing 1/2 for a little while to regain the mojo.

Anyways, I've had a bit of trouble moving down in stakes, as I often get bored too quickly. I just got a Kindle for the holidays, and was considering bringing it the tables to read while I play (it's allowed as long as I'm not involved in the hand). Is this ridiculously -EV, considering I won't really be paying much attention to the game? I figure 1/2 is mostly a game of nut-peddling anyways... perhaps reading a book will prevent me from limping KTo and other garbage.

thoughts?

It has both aspects. If it keeps you from playing stupid because you're bored, it's +EV. But if it just distracts you and keeps you from paying attention to the game, it's -EV. It also will call attention to yourself far more than if you just sit quietly--whether that's good or bad is a variable. Just a couple days ago I pulled out my phone about 2am after being at the table 4 hours to scribble a note to myself about something and the 65yo player on my right literally slapped me on the arm before I'd typed 10 characters and said "put that away--this is a social game".

You mean KTo is out of your playing zone? Jk... As stated 1/2 is abc so just as long as you get a solid read on everyone and notice who comes in and out of the game you'll be ok. I used to do homework while playing 1/2 and I did fine, no biggie

Kindle/reading the paper/iphone game etc just projects an image that are you waiting for big hands.

You also miss out on information from other players in hands that you are not involved in. I certainly believe a kindle at the table is -EV.

Just look at all the nits in the room that read the paper while they play. All of a sudden they put the paper down and pay immediate attention to everything - red flag, old guy has a hand.

Sorry to hear about your downswing as well.

If OP is smart he'll use that image to his advantage. Besides I don't know if you play low limits Rob but you can fold for 30 orbits, 3 bet out of the blue and get 5 callers, at least ime.

Your statements are contradictory. Your saying that he will use his tight image to his advantage 3bet light, bluff postflop, whatever, and people will fold, but you can 3 bet out of the blue and then get 5 callers.

I do agree with you that you certainly can fold for a bunch of orbits and get action on your 3bet, your 100% right.

My point is that if even a few times a fish who would normally call him (without the kindle use), doesnt call him, the kindle has a -EV effect on your game.

Fish don't understand the concept of polarized ranges and inelastic call ranges, but they can and will notice a kid playing mega tight while on his kindle suddenly become interested in a hand.

Leave the kindle at home imo


+1 to it also drawing unwanted attention to you. I'm a big fan of being invisible at the poker table. I don't want anyone to know how much I'm winning or why I do the things I do. Part of the reason I tend to not make friends with the regs/dealers as well. The poker table is pretty much the only place I'm terribly quiet as well, it's just a view that I think positively affects your bottom line.

Definitely some good points made.

The kindle will definitely draw attention...
I think some players will know that I'm nut-peddling, while others will be tilted by the young guy reading a kindle and call my 9x raise PF.

I think I may just test it out. My plan is to play without it during the juicy parts of the night, then maybe pull it out when everyone is playing passively at 5 in the morning.

I also wonder if I can level people by raising some weird hands PF? If I haven't played a hand in an hour, my perceived raising range shouldn't include low suited connectors...

This is live 1/2. You don't have a perceived raising range

I think you want to develop good habits at the table. There is so much information available if you pay attention in a live poker game. Even if you think you can beat the game while not paying much attention to it, you are not doing yourself any favors in the long or short run. There is information you are missing if you are not paying attention. The worse the players in the game are, the more information you are missing. And if you are getting bored, you can also practice discipline by forcing yourself to play well despite your boredom. If you continually force yourself to develop good habits, they will eventually come naturally and you will reap the rewards in the future.

This.

+1

Me too.

Depends which authors you're reading.

Brunson, Sklansky, Harrington: +EV
Hellmuth, Duke, Gordon: -EV

TBH, it is almost a lock that you aren't a winning player at 2/5 long term based on this post. You've got a lot of leaks in your game, starting with a twofer from this statement.

1. You get a buzz from the gambling aspect. Considering you are,
I suspect a lot of that is due to getting your stacks in under marginal conditions at best. You've probably read that the top long time winning players ignore the value of the chips as they play. The corollary is that the stakes shouldn't matter if they are low because all you are working with is chips.

2. You aren't disciplined. You are looking for something to prevent you from playing bad. Discipline is the key to winning at poker long term.

Then we can add,

I suppose if you can call out everyone's hand every hand you don't have to. However, it takes a long time to gather good information in a live setting on a player. On line, I don't like taking non-standard lines against players without at least a couple of hundred of hands of history. That's a minimum of 7-10 hours of live play. Even with a starting range, I like to have 60-100 hands. Since the HUD isn't watching everything live, you have to pay attention to gather this information.

Finally, there's

Just nut peddling may be profitable, but it doesn't maximize your profit.

You should be taking this opportunity to improve your game so that when it is time to move back to 2/5, you'll be able to beat it consistently. Bringing a Kindle and playing on autopilot isn't going to improve your game. Therefore, I can say a Kindle at the table is +EV

Yeah, there are so many good steal spots at 1/2. Just the fact that you aren't picking up on them means that you aren't paying enough attention. Besides don't your 1/2 games almost play like 2/5 games too? I get a lot of splashy players at night.

Dropping down in stakes is a key component for long term success. Would you read your kindle at 2/5? If your are getting outplayed by better players at 2/5 you should drop down and work on your game. However, if it is due to a lack of confidence or a downswing, you should be working your mental game and build stability in your confidence. There is so much information to be learned by observation that I laugh hysterically in my head at people who read at the table. You won't get any action when you raise except from complete idiots. Check out some mental game poker books on your kindle. Plenty of good options I have found through amazon. Hope this helps.

yes, i think you need to concentrate on what other players are doing at the table

it is called "grinding"