Need advice, I can't play micros. [RANT] - Page 2 - Beginning Poker Questions

fadrus · 08-04-2012, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean_nolan1

I just can't seem to play poker properly online.

I can identify all my leaks, where I played wrong in a hand, villian reads etc.

I think that's highly doubtful.

I tilt like no one else when playing small stakes and getting coolered hand after hand after hand. Yes I am talking coolered, not just playing bad.

Again, I suspect that like the rest of us you don't have the ability to distinguish hands where you were unlucky from those where you got yourself into trouble unnecessarily.

I am a winner live but only play £1/2. I rarely tilt live and enjoy it much more.

The only time I really enjoy playing online is when playing 100NL or 200NL since it feels like your playing for money.

I do software development and so the money at micros means absolutely nothing, hence why I go all in on 20 tables every hand at 10nl for 5 minutes until bust and not care about the money after it. Though it does annoy me that I went on such crazy tilt.

I've spent so much time at the micros, creating goal threads and swinging up and down. Basically getting nowhere.

I have watched a lot of DC videos, read tonnes of the forum posts. I don't know what to do any more to be honest. People say it's a waste getting a coach for micro limits too.

I keep thinking of just depositing 2k or more and playing 100NL but if I can't beat the micros then how can I win at the higher levels right?

In total I think I am down close to 6k online. That was after winning 1k in a sunday million tournament. Most of that is drunken heads up though, you can see one of my other threads where I went through my leaks.

The thought of coming home from work and playing 4 hours of 5NL and making $20 is just unbearable now.

Any advice?

I'm sure most people will disagree with this but.....STOP PLAYING MICROS! You are not learning anything, you are not taking it seriously, you have no idea whether you can beat the game or not because you haven't really tried and there is close to zero chance that you will change your personality enough to alter any of that.

You ought to do your learning at the lowest level where you can afford to lose but which is still high enough for you to make an effort. If that's 200nl so be it. The only reason it makes sense to play at micro limits is to get a cheap education (or just because you like it). You aren't getting an education at all. You're just getting hacked off.

Play at the level which is right for your income and temperament. The micros isn't it. You will continue to lose there.

.

SquirrelsUnite · 08-04-2012, 04:52 PM

Focus on the process of making reads, figuring out ranges and chosing the right action. It's not about the money, it's about understanding the game better. You said a few years down the road you might want to make a living playing poker. So what's the rush?

It also helps to remind yourself that 5NL online is tougher than 1/2 live. Much tougher, actually. Don't expect to be a winner just because you win live. It's tougher psychologically too in the sense that there's less time between hands, especially if you're playing more than one table. There's less time to recover emotionally between hands.

But ultimately the last few posters are right. If you don't find a way to enjoy online poker more, don't play.

daveh07 · 08-04-2012, 06:38 PM

Play 50NL online recreationally. Money will mean a little to you and you will get good experience. Make sure you keep posting trouble hands and watch coaching videos and read up on strategy threads.

seoulken · 08-05-2012, 05:28 AM

Time to quit.

Kralex · 08-05-2012, 05:57 AM

I would just quit online poker. Seems like you the social aspect of live poker keeps you interested so why not stick to that?

Queen6Suited · 08-05-2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean_nolan1

The reason I want to play poker is so I don't have to have this job. I don't like it but there's nothing else out there I can learn in a short amount of time that makes me as much as I do programming.

nah.
You have to realise that 1 cent 2 cent online is the same standard as a lot of 1/2 live in a lot of places i've played.
You also have to realise that having the bankroll for a game doesnt make you a winner at it obv, so just move up the stakes beating them one by one.

finally, if you don't find it fun don't play at all.

GutshotDan92 · 08-05-2012, 07:20 AM

You dont play the micros to win huge sums of money - Yes there is exceptions (Blackrain for example), but a vast majority of people are playing the micros for 2 reasons:

1) To learn the game - from what you said, you need to work on your game. Especially tilt.

2) To build a BR because they cant afford to deposit $2000 to play 100NL (or 50NL) where the money begins to mean something.

Also, if your not enjoying cash games, try SnGs/MTTs - Or try PLO if you really want.

dean_nolan1 · 08-05-2012, 07:39 AM

Well thanks for all the replies.

I'm not going to quit.

I think I will play live instead of online most of the time and play 50 or 100NL online. I will still do the studying, which btw I always am.

I really think fadrus is right that I shouldn't play micros.

For everyone saying you need to prove you can beat levels and move up, I just don't believe that's the best route for me.

In one of my goal threads I posted a graph where I beat 2NL pretty easily when I put some proper effort in. I have shown some ability to beat 5NL and 10NL but I end up just tilting and not caring.

Everyone agrees that playing for play money online isn't going to do anything for your game, well below 50NL is play money for me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to brag or say I make loads of money, I take long breaks between contracts and spend my money fast so I probably have a lot less than a lot of you, I have never saved.

It still doesn't change the fact that $10 is like the price of a coffee so you can't be attached to it.

I've learnt a lot trying to beat the micros though.

Anyway thanks again and come take more money off me at the tables

Tom Dwans Son · 08-05-2012, 10:19 AM

It sounds like you enjoy losing. Move up in level where they will respect your bad play.

dean_nolan1 · 08-05-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Dwans Son

It sounds like you enjoy losing. Move up in level where they will respect your bad play.

Yeah that's obviously it. Love losing, got an addiction to it. They respect my raises up there so much more.

All coming from a guy named Tom Dwans Son.

On a different note. I played a session of 50NL earlier. Played decent poker, no tilt, had fun and won a buy in and posted hands to get some advice/feedback.

Much better piss arsing about at 5nl.

Queen6Suited · 08-05-2012, 10:49 AM

Not trying to be a dick but you will almost certainly lose at 50nl even if you think your reasons for losing at 5nl were just tilt, the difference in standard is ridiculous. You probably have a very poor understanding of sample size (just going by stuff you've said itt), and it's just ridiculous to want to play 50nl if you can't beat lower stakes.

dean_nolan1 · 08-05-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen6Suited

Not trying to be a dick but you will almost certainly lose at 50nl even if you think your reasons for losing at 5nl were just tilt, the difference in standard is ridiculous. You probably have a very poor understanding of sample size (just going by stuff you've said itt), and it's just ridiculous to want to play 50nl if you can't beat lower stakes.

Don't think you are trying to be

These are all valid concerns and I am well aware of the standard of play being much better.

I am not a total beginner though. I'm not saying the only reason I lost was due to tilt. But tilt was mainly induced by the fact it's play money.

Why do you suggest I have a poor understanding of sample size? I really don't think I do.

You know out of all the losses I have, hardly any of it is at the micros. I made a post about it before. Mostly drunk on friday nights just playing HU against good players, that's not my plan for moving to 50NL 6 max. It was just some fun gambling at the time.

I would like to challenge a lot of the people on here to grind actual play money for a few months. If you can't beat that you'll never beat the micros

Yes, people play differently when there's real money involved so play money is stupid. But it's all relative. I play different at micros than above 50nl because it is just play money anything less.

Not trying to sound like a dick

but just trying to get the point across.
For all you micro grinders out there keep on doing what works for you, I commend it, it's just not for me.

Queue 2 months from now me posting a thread saying I lost 2000 playing 50NL and can't play poker at all

**Cry Me A River** · 08-05-2012, 11:15 AM

Most sites let you set a limit on the maximum table stakes you can sit at.

Tom Dwans Son · 08-05-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean_nolan1

I would like to challenge a lot of the people on here to grind actual play money for a few months. If you can't beat that you'll never beat the micros

Yes, people play differently when there's real money involved so play money is stupid. But it's all relative. I play different at micros than above 50nl because it is just play money anything less.

$50 is a lot of money? LoL. The fact is that you simply haven't shown the discipline to be a good poker player at any level. If you can't beat play money levels then you can't beat micros and you certainly can't beat 50NL. Before you ask, yes, i have grinded and defeated each of those levels.

You do not have what it takes to beat 50NL but it sounds like you are just playing for fun and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. If micros aren't fun then don't play them.

dean_nolan1 · 08-05-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Dwans Son

$50 is a lot of money? LoL. The fact is that you simply haven't shown the discipline to be a good poker player at any level. If you can't beat play money levels then you can't beat micros and you certainly can't beat 50NL. Before you ask, yes, i have grinded and defeated each of those levels.

You do not have what it takes to beat 50NL but it sounds like you are just playing for fun and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. If micros aren't fun then don't play them.

Do you ever read what I write? No it's not a lot of money, it's about an 8th of what I buy in for playing for fun at the home game in the pub with friends. I mean at least it's still got some value for to start and no point in me jumping in to 3/6 or something since I'd get destroyed and lose actual money.

I have shown some discipline, if you look in my old goals thread I beat 2NL easily, done well at 5NL (yeah the 3rd time after trying to take it serious) and started ok at 10NL.

Well done to you fro grinding those levels, as I said it's just not for me. I have been playing 50NL all day and not had a losing session.

I know that means nothing and sample size blah blah, but the point is I'm thinking of every decision and trying to play good and learn and most importantly, I have not felt tilted at all. I'll get back to you at end of month and we'll see if I just blow all my money again or if it's actually improving my game